Trunk lid light switch mystery

[randallbaer]

My 1964 230 (05400) trunk lid is missing the on/off button switch.  From everything I've read, a standard switch with bulb attached was the standard for this year and model.  Yet, this hole is incorrect and the trunk stamping doesn't have the indentation to allow space for the switch.  The Hella lamp assembly that's installed seems to be authentic, if not original. I'm stumped. Does anyone have a thought as to what switch might have originally fit this lid? Thanks!

[Pawel66]

All you need is there: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Trunklights

I do not think it is a mystery - someone might have ordered and installed the optional trunk light. More educated Members will know if an optional light looked like the one you have (coming from 600 series) or you have just some generic light.

You have two nice vintage slotted screws there that I would keep...

[BobH]

Have a look on here as well

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=24171.msg173430#msg173430

I have the long oval cut out for the lamp fitting and the hole for the switch on my 65 car

It looks like the later cars had the combined switch with integral bulb, perhaps the oval hole was then omitted?

[randallbaer]

Thanks Pawel!  Out of all my forum searching I never came across that early, optional trunk light post.  I suspect that Hella lamp assembly is probably original. Now all I need to do is find one of those rare, period switches.

[randallbaer]

Thanks Bob!  Out of all my searching through the forum posts, I never came across that early switch and light option.  I do think the Hella lamp assembly is original so all I need to do now is find one of those rare, period switches.  I think it's time for another email inquiry to the Mercedes Classic Center.

[BobH]

This one looks similar

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166990608048

[Pawel66]

While looking for the switch do not restrict search to W113, under the link provided you have W109 and W114 as well. Sometimes the same part for W113 costs much more than for other "W".

The lamp is A 100 820 01 62 and it is called License Plate lamp. I understand you have it.

The pad for switch is H 10 120 825 00 96 (may function as A 120 825 00 96). Used in 108, 109, 110, 111, 114 and 115.

The switch is A 000 821 02 52, this is the one with two screws, used in 100,105,109,110,111,112,114,115,120,121,123,128,180,186,188,189,198,309 and 310.

However, the shape of the hole in your trunk suggests that you had there a regular door contact switch, A 0008211552, which is normally available at Mercedes ($70) and many other places, used in 100,107,108,109,110,111,113,114,115 and 123. This is what I would go for, looks like this: https://www.niemoeller.de/en/w111/w111-mercedes-benz-220sb/B012/820102/d82218-door-contact-switch~2

[randallbaer]

Thank you again for your help and the references.

I'm beginning to suspect that the original switch was pulled from the existing parts bin at the time the car was built, so was also common to the 109 and 300 series.  The early A 000 821 02 52 switch appeared to be flush to the lid sheet metal and did not require the extra clearance provided by the later W113 indentation.  That clearance space between the lid and the tail frame is my challenge.  Most of the later series switches, as well as the original door switch, have a raised collar which is greater than my clearance.  I think yours and Bob's recommendations are exactly what I was hoping for.

[Pawel66]

I think the same - the switch came from existing pool of parts. Just that the later switch also existed in 1964.

I think they stick out 1-2mm from the sheet metal, pretty much the same. I also see (noticed it now) you have even two sets of holes for screws, so you might have had the switch with screws there.

Just to confuse you a bit more.

[randallbaer]

That does look like it.  Thanks Bob.

[zoegrlh]

My 1970 280SL, Euro specs, has a plastic one piece fixture, push rod and bulb are one unit, as shown as part catalog as #50 in illustration on page 285, part number110 825 00 41, Lamp with switch, trunk.

[randallbaer]

Thanks!  But weirdly, mine doesn't have the same indentation to allow clearance when the lid is closed.  I wonder if Mercedes came up with a different stamping just to accommodate the newer switch/bulb combination?

[Pawel66]

My 1970 280SL, Euro specs, has a plastic one piece fixture, push rod and bulb are one unit, as shown as part catalog as #50 in illustration on page 285, part number110 825 00 41, Lamp with switch, trunk.

This type of combined came later.

[Pawel66]

Thanks!  But weirdly, mine doesn't have the same indentation to allow clearance when the lid is closed.  I wonder if Mercedes came up with a different stamping just to accommodate the newer switch/bulb combination?

Is it not convexity? I am away from the car now, do not remember. It also came later, I suppose.

[lagolag]

Here is picture from my 230 SL thathas the original switch and light, its available here:
https://www.niemoeller.de/en/w113/w113/B042/821/d82242-trunk-lamp-holder-w108-w109-w110-w111-w112-w113-w114-and-w115

[Pawel66]

Yes, this one is A 110 825 00 41, installed as of chassis number  042 012467, I think quite late in 230SL. Not sure if it started when it became standard (trunk lamp, not sure in which form, were option 224, then became standard).

I should be seeing corresponding note for the trunk lid, but it is not there, there are just two part numbers for trunk lid, without information when they were changed.

[BobH]

Some more pictures of the early trunklight, seems the switch was also used on the Ponton's

And when you know what cars it was fitted to it opens up more opportunities!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/403022327004?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-153316-527457-8&mkcid=2&itemid=403022327004&targetid=4584757337008488&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=431353847&mkgroupid=1298523655396099&rlsatarget=pla-4584757337008488&abcId=9301942&merchantid=87779&msclkid=d1f2e7e431001492421d80cb0b895e18

[Pawel66]

Yes, I have listed the types where this switch was used a couple of posts ago: 100,105,109,110,111,112,114,115,120,121,123,128,180,186,188,189,198,309 and 310.

[randallbaer]

It seems that my trunk light switch mystery is becoming less mysterious.  This switch from the Ponton series looks like it's the appropriate part for the early 1963 series.  Now I'm curious as to what prompted Mercedes to make the stamping change to accommodate the later, combination switch.  Thanks for all the research help and great leads!

[Pawel66]

I think same factors that are behind every modification: less costly part and less costly installation.

I do not suppose they modified the lid frame stamping tools just for that. You have to renew these tools once in a while and that is when you introduce changes.

At least that is what seems to me might have happened.