Replacing Combo Switch! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Smokiesman · #1 08-10-2006, 02:47 PM

Has anyone here replaced there combo Switch? Any tips or troubles I might run into! Never did one of these before and it looks like just a plug job!! I HOPE!

Thanks

Smokie

gmercoleza · #2 08-10-2006, 04:07 PM

Ditto, I'm doing one tonight on a 97 E320 W210. I have the special airbag removal tool and understand that the center nut on the steering shaft is gonna take a bear to remove. Beyond that, are there any other special instructions? I don't want to crack any steering column trim...

skiier3_9 · #3 08-10-2006, 05:30 PM

Just make sure to disconnect the battery and the red plug for the SRS under the passenger side carpeting (w124). Also, don't use the steering lock to hold the steering wheel, have someone else hold it or use a piece of scrap wood wrapped with a towel as a counter brace.

Smokiesman · #4 08-10-2006, 11:15 PM

I have changed over my steering wheel ! Little hint on easy removal!

get I believe 10mm allen 3\8ths socket ! I used my air impact wrench and about 2 pulls of the trigger and the nut came right off and the wheel almost fell into my lap! So don't bust yer ass if you got a air gun!

Yer right on the battery thing ! DISCONNECT!! Air bag is easy two screws and just unplug! The part after that has me worried though! I pretty sure I have to remove the lower knee panel ! Hope it comes off easy !

And then I hope I can see under the dash to find the plug and disconnect!

gmerc! let me know how it goes!!

Smokie

gmercoleza · #5 08-11-2006, 09:45 AM

OK, after mowing the lawn last night in 104 degree heat I just didn't have any energy left in me to tackle the combo switch. I will be leaving work early today and will do it then. I do have an impact gun and will definitely be using it. I'll post back with my results.

skiier3_9 · #6 08-11-2006, 10:19 AM

You will need to take off the lower knee bolster to unplug the combo switch:

see this thread for my instructions:

Idle Speed Contact Switch

Its post #5.

gmercoleza · #7 08-11-2006, 11:04 AM

Thanks. I see your instructions were for a 124. Do you know if removing the knee bolster applies to the 210 as well?

Smokiesman · #8 08-11-2006, 11:36 AM

Cool Beans !!

My switch should be getting here soon!

Gmerc will probably have his in first!

Then he can tell me how it went!

Smokie

gmercoleza · #9 08-11-2006, 07:30 PM

Done. Took me all of 1 hour from start to finish. The 10mm hex bolt came out in 3 seconds with my air impact wrench set at the highest setting. I replaced it with the wrench when finished - held it about 10 seconds. I don't think it's coming off without a lot of effort.

With the wheel off, it's pretty self explanatory. I will warn you though the cable from the switch goes deep into the bowels of wire behind the knee bolster. I opted to leave it in place rather than disturb lots of old, brittle wiring. I ran the new cable parallel to it and plugged it in, then just tucked the pigtails in where they wouldn't rattle around.

Just make sure you telescope the column ll the way in and all the way out with the steering wheel still off, inspecting closely through the holes with a flashlight to ensure the cable can't get pinched. Other than that, it's pretty simple. The dealer wanted $250 just for labor to replace this part - crazy!

Smokiesman · #10 08-12-2006, 12:28 AM

Hey Gmec! Thanks for the tips! switch just came today! So it looks like I will be putting it in tomorrow!

Were the plates for the air bag any big deal ? Or did they to just unplug? How did the harness snake down the column ? Easy i hope!

Thanks for the tip on the old in and out of the column!

Smokie

gmercoleza · #11 08-12-2006, 01:31 AM

The airbag is a piece of cake, just unplugs after you remove the 2 torx bolts. You'll see what I mean about snaking the cable. Trust me, it's no big deal. The hardest part is probably getting the knee bolster back in place. Let me know how it goes...

Smokiesman · #12 08-12-2006, 01:41 PM

Well I got my new combo switch installed today!

With a few hints from Gmerc it did not go to bad! The only thing that worried me was when the airbag spiral ribbon cable came apart and was just hanging there like the recoil starter spring!

A little time and I mangaged to rewind it.

I am alway a little nervous when I put the bat cable back on! Did not hear any bangs ! next step was to turn on the key ! I ducked to the side just in case !

Did not want one of those airbag sunburns! To my surprise everthing worked just like new! Nice to have lowbeams again, running at nite using the fogs for lows kinda sucks! Germc my new switch has a extra little black connection ? Any idea what that might be ? The Knee bolster was not to bad ! Infact I was surprised to see plug right up in front ! I had to clip a tie wrap unplug and it came right out!

Thanks for the tips from all here! I hope mine helped you get your wheel off!

Smokie