Should early W111 defroster/heater levers be lit?

[hansr433]

I seem to remember that the levers were lit before the resto.  I could be wrong and confuse this with my W113.  Can someone please set me straight?  If they should be lit, is access possible from below?  Any photos of what the lighting sockets look like and type of bulb to use?

Also, is there a trick to mounting the front grille star?  The star is fairly easy to move, ie by wind at speed.  I have a new stiff spring but am puzzled on how to install it.

TIA

[PeterPortugal]

Hans,

Mine are lit. I am sure it is a royal effort to get to the bulbs !

Regards

Peter

[hansr433]

Thanks Peter, will you be able to post photos with the instrument panel lit for my reference?

These small things the restorers got wrong, and what I did not pick up during my infrequent inspections, are driving me bonkers.  A real lesson to be learned here for anyone considering having a car restored at some distance from where they live.  Going to see my car during restoration was an 9 hour drive each way, so obviously I did not go each week.  Think twice before picking a shop that is at the other end of the country, unless there is a deal in place with a 1 year snagging period and a money hold-back.

[ja17]

I don't remember that the W111 heater levers were lit?

[hansr433]

I don't remember that the W111 heater levers were lit?

Perhaps there is a difference between the 63 and 68?  Does anyone with a pre 68 have door contacts to light the interior?

[wwheeler]

The levers themselves are not lit like the W108 and Pagoda cars and are solid metal. The knobs at the end or either chrome metal or black plastic. So no way to light those either. I had my entire dash out at one point and I don't remember any wires or a light socket in the area. I think it is just a big dark abiss. The interior lighting on these cars leaves something to be desired.   

[PeterPortugal]

I haven't even got a battery in mine but I am sure it had lightbulbs in that area.

I will check over the coming days.

[hansr433]

The levers themselves are not lit like the W108 and Pagoda cars and are solid metal. The knobs at the end or either chrome metal or black plastic. So no way to light those either. I had my entire dash out at one point and I don't remember any wires or a light socket in the area. I think it is just a big dark abiss. The interior lighting on these cars leaves something to be desired.

Totally agree.  I am surprised that a car of that era and such a price point would not have better courtesy lighting.  I would like to add 1 small lamp under the dash actuated by door contacts.  That alone would be something.  I use my car a lot and since I live rural, ambient lighting does not exist.  I often fumble around for knobs etc.  Has anyone added improved interior lighting to this model?  Any changes I am planning on making would be reversible.

[wwheeler]

Hans,

Do you have a light in the headliner near the rear view mirror? That should be actuated by the door switch. The light itself pivots and has three positions 1) completely off 2) completely on 3) on and activated by the door switch. Should also have a light in the back with a small switch on the far left side LHD. Those are the cabin lights and I suppose you could call the front one a map light. There is a glove box light and the feeble instrument lights. I think that is about it.

If you wanted to improve what you have, you can do that with LED. I put LED bulbs in the cabin lights and used a 4000 to 5000K. Sure it is abrupt, but the whiter color really helps. You can also put LED in the instrument dash lights with some degree of difficulty. 

[hansr433]

Wallace, I see that you have coupes.  I have a cabriolet and there is no front light, just a map reading light, switched on when you open the glovebox and a rear light which is switched on by the same switch you have in your coupe. I also don't have door switches, whether by design or by omission by the restorer.

[wwheeler]

I guess that makes sense that a cab would not have a light in the headliner. 

I suppose you could open the roof and then that would provide more light. Sorry, that is not helpful but just couldn’t resist.

Maybe the easiest is to put a super bright LED bulb in the rear and just know where that switch is when you get in. I think it has power all the time?

[JPMOSE]

The cab also has left and right floor lights under the dash (plus an on/off switch)...similar to the one on W113 to the right of the steering column.  The coupes don’t have these.

[PeterPortugal]

Hans,

I will connect my battery today and get back to you. Have you looked at a wiring diagram? This shows all the electrical users. I am thinking now that the light in the centre of my dash is probably the one in the clock.

My car definitely does not have the left and right floor lights or wiring for them. It also doesn't have the door switches.

Regards
Peter