2004+ Center Console Armrest Retrofit and Troubleshooting
 

Can the blades and the new armrest replace the older ones? Anyone got some part numbers?

Dude, how does the new armrest look? Mines is looking like poo, so I would like to replace mine anyways. Post pix bro, dont just tease!!

i hear they open from the side.. so im guess like the new CLK... or something about spliting in the middle??? like the new E class... either way i want it!!! so if anyone does have info POST PLEASE..

As far as the blades go, no retrofit. You probably would have to replace the whole arm. The armrest is cool, since it does open from either side. You might have to replace the whole assembly though to get it to work. Check the link below for wiper pics... I can try to get armrest pics too..


https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=46747

2004 C Class Center Armrest
 

2004 C or CLK has the center arm rest can can be opened from
both DR or PASS side.
If you open from DR side then the hinge is in the Pass side
and if you open from the pass side, the hinge is in the DR side.
See photo attached.

Armrest PIX from Driver side

Re: 2004 C Class Center Armrest
 

:y :y :y i like it

I see a potential retrofit as it's only the top part that changes. Retrofit away my mod maniacs.

I see a potential retrofit as it's only the top part that changes. Retrofit away my mod maniacs.

now your just tempting me :rolleyes:

Hard to tell from them pics but is it still a dual cavity; top and bottom?

Here is more PIX of the arm rest.
I think you can retrofit the 04 upper portion to older models.

Second PIX

anyone retrofit new center console lid?
 

Has anyone retrofitted the new center console lid? Mine is a pain to open everytime with the phone in there.

Re: anyone retrofit new center console lid?
 

I thought that I read on here, prior to the crash, where someone got his 03 lid replace with the 04 lid under warranty by his dealer. But I'm too lazy to https://mbworld.org/forums/images/top_search.gif.

Man, You really do want to get everything huh? :D

Are you talking about the arm rest lid?

yes I am talking about the lid of the center console box, and secondly, yes I do want everything.

A brand new center console armrest cost approximately ~240. The armrest comes complete with cover and the box underneath it. I wonder if Steve can get one for us at a lower price.

sorry, to resuscitate an old thread... but wondering if anyone was able to successfully retrofit the '04 upper portion of the arm rest (with dual side openings) on '03 and older arm rest cars ????

is part # 203 818 626 still valid ? What are the codes for different type of leather interiors (ie. charcoal, ash, etc...) ?

Need to add this to my MOD list...:zoom:

thats one i wanna add as well.

i think it will come in handy once i get my UHI installed this month. :D

definitely, will be great for those with the UHI installed inside the top arm rest cavity.

Looking closely at Brabus C's posts, he lists part # 203 818 626 on all his posts, so I DON'T think this is the right part # for the arm rest....

Brabus C what is that # for ? and what is the REAL part # for the arm rest ?

anyone know ?

Carlos / Saprissa@aol.com
:zoom:

Just occurred to me....
my wife's 2004.5 has that type of arm rest cover. I'll take it apart this afternoon to see if I can find a part #. Maybe, she won't notice if I just swap it out :D (Death Wish !)

yeah the 3 04 loaners ive had, had this type of arm rest. i really like it. hmm, now if i can swap it out! Lol! :evil:

I believe it is a direct swap. I looked into this myself. The new armrest will also accomidate the UHI floor panel really easly. The old armrest will requore some modification. The arm rest is about 160 bucks at the dealer. Specify your interior color code also when ordering.

hey sunman, do you think it would be a good idea then to buy the armrest before i have the UHI installed?

this is the part number i was told for a charcoal colored 2004 armrest.

203-680-08-82-9D12

Citron, :y
great !! what price are they quoting you ?
I wonder if I can get wholesale price down here at MBSD or Hoehn ?

this quote is from Tom Hansen, he was the parts manager from Caliber Motors. He was at the last MB meet Aug. 20th. From an email he sent me. "The center armrest is 203-680-08-82-9D12, $167.28."

Tom is Wholesale parts manager. let me know what price you are quoted. i want to buy this armrest before my UHI gets installed.

That is pretty close to what Dr. Sunman said. I will call today to get some quotes from MBSD and Hoehn. * What's the price tag on the UHI install including required parts ? I guess I should of asked Steve about that too. Maybe if I pay close attention, I can just get the parts, and try to destroy, :eek: uh I mean install it myself ! I don't have a phone yet, so not sure what cradle to get, or are they all universal ? That's why I asked about what phones can be used with this system, that will work with the MB display on the car.

well ive paid $750 to Steve already for a deposit towards the UHI. i was considered a prepay as well so i believe im getting a break in the cost. im still waiting to see what the final cost will turn out to be. plus about $170 for the armrest, plus $400 for the new phone which ive already paid for. UHI is getting to be kinda costly at this point. :D

yeah, I hear ya on the cost of this stuff.... but in the end, it's all worth it ! :y

oh yeah it is. i dont know what im going to do with all the extra money ill have every month once im done modding my car.

right now ive been spending about $500 - $800 a month on mods. and this will continue for sure until next year until my scheduled mods are completed.

ditto !!

i might just have to buy another car, to keep my modding addiction alive...

the HORROR ! the HORROR !

yeah i hear that. honestly though, after im finished with my mods ill probably double up the payments and pay it off faster.

and no the cradles are not all universal. they are prettymuch universal for each manufactuer. i.e. Nokia, Motorola, SonyEricson, Siemens, etc.

That's always a good plan. Specially, when maintenance in the way-out years starts to hurt a little... :( No reason in worrying about a car payment as well.

thanks for the info ! :y I guess I have to just pick a phone that will work, and then look for the cradle. All this MOD talk makes my brain hurt :wall: :hammer:

plus when you go to pick a phone make sure it is one that will work. not all nokia, not all motorolas, etc will work there is a list right now of compatible phones.

"The following phones will have kits available:

Nokia 6100/6610/7250
Nokia 6200/6220/6230
SonyEriccson T610/T616/T630/T637
Siemens S55/C55/M55/S56/C56/M56
Siemens CX55/CX66
Motorola V620/V600/V525/V300

That's all! Please do not ask for others. Also note that if you are a Cingular or AT&T customer, recommended phones are SE T616/T637, the Siemens phones ending with "6", and the Nokia 6200 and 6230b. Many of these are currently available at subsidized prices direct from the provider, so getting a phone at a good price should not be a problem
(which was an issue with the Nokia 6310i kits).

Also note that if you choose the Motorola Vxxx kit, you are on your own... there are a lot of problems reported with this kit/phone combo, so we will not provide ANY support for it. It is just available for those who just HAVE to have a V600."

since i have cingular and and i had a V600, i chose to change to the 6230b because of this advice!

:rolf:

ok Carlos, I just bought the armrest from Tom. It should be here by Friday. I'll post pics of my install if I do the install myself. I sent an email to Steve to see if it may be easier to wait until the UHI gets installed to put in the new armrest.

dude, you are quick ! let me know what Steve says. I don't think I could control myself, if I got a part to install and was waiting on another one ! Yeah, post pics either way... awesome :y

yeah, patience isnt one of my virtues. if it is easier for him to install during the UHI install ill wait. otherwise i will put it in. ill post pics eitherway, you know me, picture whore!

post away, you whore !!! :D

2004 armrest
 

my 2004 armrest arrived. i'm going to install it this weekend. ill post pics of the removal and installation once i get finished.

part # 203-680-08-82-9D12 for a charcoal colored armrest.

anyone know how to remove the old one? :confused:

yes i did use the famous search feature! :D

Nice man! post some pics of it :y

will do once i figure out how to take out the old one. i think i may have to remove the panel in the center console. ill look better when i get a chance. cant really do it at work, and i have class tonight!

i have no patience! :D

tell us how it goes! I'll probably need to know b/c the dealer is going to replace my armrest b/c it's peeling/cracking, and they said it was defective. As long as it's under warranty, then it's all good.

sure will. it doesnt look hard to remove, i just need to now how to access the part to remove it from the center console. ill post detailed pics of the install tomorrow night.

I must have missed a post, what is the difference?

ok ive run into some issues i need to ask for some help on. specifically Saprissa, when you get a chance can you compare 2003 and 2004.5 armrests for me since you have both.

the 2003 bottom panel has different screw hole patterns which will require me to buy the new bottom panel as well. that is not a problem. heres a pic of the old bottom panel.

my problem i think there might be, is the 2004 armrest has an arm that holds it up in position. it runs along a rail so you can keep it up in partial postions rather than all the way up or down like the 2003 armrest. here is a pic of the bottom of the 2004 armrest. there is no panel underneath it now. thats how it comes. i will buy the new panel tomorrow.

Yes, my '05 armrest has 2 or 3 "partial" positions. I'm not sure how it's useful, but it does it.

Good luck!

when the armrest is in the up position, this support arm stick out, as it slides down the rail there in the center. here are some pics.

notice how the old armrest doesnt have that support arm. i may have to buy a new interior trim piece for the center console.

carlos, when you get a chance can you compare your coupe to your wife's C320WZ and let me know what looks different in the armrest. i.e. armrest, panel on the bottom (screw configurations), support arm, possible different trim piece in the center console. the fuzzy area may have to be cut in order to allow that arm to travel im thinking. thanks in advance! :y

my UHI install date is set for Oct. 2 at 6pm so im trying to get this prepped and ready for my UHI. those pics will be AWESOME! :y

Where and who did you get it from? :cool:

In a previous post, Citron said he got it from Caliber's wholesale dept. If you use the STFF, you would have come up with the same answer. :wwf:

:rolf: :naughty: Just Kiddin'

i bought it from Tom at Caliber, thanks Drew. saved about $30 on it.

Citron, sounds like a great mod. Good luck with it! I wonder if you can get the leather replaced on it with something custom. Hmmm, more smurfs may have to die for another mod.

yeah i think it will be a great mod. i just need to get more parts. the underside panel of the 2004 parmrest and the trim inside the console itself. ill pick those up today and then post part numbers and pics. im planning on doing the install either tonight or tomorrow. i want to get the new armrest in place. my UHI install date is Oct. 2! :y

just realized what you meant by this. all the armrest have any of these 3 postions it stays in while its down. all the way down, up one notch, the up once more. to go any higher you have to pull the handle and raise it up. what i meant was the center arm the holds the armrest will hold it while it is out of the console so it can be lets say half way open and stay half way open. my armrest is either all the way up or down lock into one of those 3 postions.

by the way the part numbers for the bottom panel is 203-680-02-34, and for the new fuzzy floor for the armrest is 203-680-00-68.

Does it match the fuzzy dice. :D

(duckundrennwegschnell)

But because you jumped in and tried to blast me with STFF :wwf: You are the a$$ :beat: I gave him the contact person at Caliber..... I was just messing with him since I knew where he got it from..... :smash: :cool:

You are welcome....... :y
Kev04C320 :wwf:

yeah saved about another $5 on the panel floor underneath the armrest.

for those who are doing this mod for the UHI, you will not need the fussy floor (or fussy dice). the UHI cardle comes with a new floor for the armrest.

Doug, got some pics of the 2004 arm-rest as it sits in the car:

here is the bottom fully opened... notice that inside, there's not as much room as our 2003's bottom cavity have. There's that rubbery box thing with the warning sticker on it. Have no clue what it's there for ? It won't come off either.

But you can see where the support arm goes in the back.

here is a close up:

here are 2 pics of the top hinge, as if you were looking down at it when opened straight up:

here is the top cavity with fuzzy interior:

$35 total savings........ :y .. To me a savings is a savings...... :cool:

here's the panel on the bottom with screw configuration...

notice there is only 1 torx screw at the bottom right corner.

thanks! looks like that arm might fit underneat the fuzzy area that is already there. im going to wait to have the arm rest installed when Steve installs the UHI. the bottom panel will go in then and all in all i think it will be easier.

yes Drew, $35 is $35 in savings. thanks alot! :y

I might have to go up to Caliber, if I can't get the same discount down here. Doug,
when you ordered the fuzzy interior part, was there an option to get the lining with the 2 TeleAid buttons ? That's what that small indentation is, inside the cavity. I figure just something more to add, for the ooohhh ahhhh factor !

So all in all, what components (parts) did you end up getting ?

$169 for the armrest, $23 for the bottom plastic panel. the fuzzy floor will be replaced with the UHI clip fuzzy floor.

so you don't really need the fuzzy floor... right ?
I wonder if you can get the fuzzy floor with the 2 TeleAid buttons ?

when you order the UHI, Steve or Wanda will ask you what options you have in or car. yes if you have tele-aid they will provide that fuzzy floor. they ask you what options you have in your car so they can provide the proper "floor" for your armrest.

the install project was scrapped for the weekend. sorry folks. i got an email from Steve and he said to leave the armrest out until he does the UHI install Oct. 2. looks like i get to stare at my new armrest in my garage and wait anxiously for my UHI kit. ill be calling everyone from my UHI car kit when i leave Mark's after the install! :y

call me !!! I want to be UHI'zed :D

:word:

THat rubbery sticker thing is a fan for the rear passangers. Some cars don't have it. My c320 has it though. The fan is controlled with the rear passanger dial. I think the coupe does not have it though. The reason it is rubber is becuase of the condensation that can form with the cold air.

good info !
 

By looking at the two (Coupe & Sedan) from the rear seat, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference. But you're right, the COUPE does not have the fan; only the vent with the circular flow dial. The SEDAN's dial includes the fan logo. The center bottom cavity in the COUPE is big & deep, without the fan motor. The center bottom cavity in the SEDAN is all taken up by the fan rubber cover, probably only enough room for some sunglasses.

:zoom:
___________________
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com

no one rides in my back seat and i need all the cubby space i can get. COMAND, XM in ash tray, soon to be UHI, i cant take it anymore. wonder what i can install in my map pockets? :cool:

LOL :rolf: MB has to come up with a new gadget (in CITRON green, of course) to go in Doug's map pockets ! Are you listening Germany ? who's up to the challenge ?
-------------
Cubby space is always good ! Yeah, I never noticed the rear fan / no fan thing cause no one ever sits back there, just my stinky soccer cleats.

bring it on! seriously. if its OEM, im all for it. OEM maps for the pocket, an accident report kit (including camera) like i had for my VW, anything ill get it. you want extra $$$, invent something for the map pockets, you already have a buyer or a test subject!

2004 armrest retrofit
 

OK, my dealer got me a 2004 armrest as a warranty replacement for my 2003. We went to install it yet they are worried it won't be a direct replacement.

Thus I need install instructions for this retrofit to convince them it'll work before they return it and get me a 2003 armrest.

CitronC230K_03 was doing this mod yet I cannot find a follow-up.

Can someone help me with how to at least remove the armrest.

Thanks!

steve is going to install it for me when he installs the UHI kit. as far as i know if will fit. bottom rail is different from the 2003, bu as far as how it mounts, the screw holes should be the same. only an adjustment to the felt interior of the console may have to be made from what ive been told. steve isnt installing my UHI for another couple weeks. sorry. :nix:

Do you know how to remove the rear vents?

I'm sure it is the same, yet I need to get the current armrest out to show my dealer it is the same, otherwise they probably won't spend the time to take out the current armrest and just order me a 2003 armrest instead.

no i dont know how. i was going to attempt to find the WIS info to install this, but steve said it would be easier forhim to install it since he has to remove the armrest anyhow in order to install the UHI cradle and harnesses. steve says it will fit.

Doug, so I didn't miss Steve's SoCal install trip ?

When will he be here to do your UHI install ?

Can I tag along to watch ?

I still need to order the 2004 arm-rest as well. Scorchie has another UHI kit for the Coupe, but my wallet is still recuperating from last month's mods and some recent purchases.

Carlos
:zoom:
Saprissa@aol.com

steve went to australia on Nov. 8th. plane ticket prices were increasing and he was able to get a good price on a ticket so he went there. wanda says sometime late nov/early dec time frame. shes not sure if steve is going to go to san francisco before or after the LA trip. you are more than welcome to tag along and watch the install. always cool to chat with ya! :y

hey meguairs is coming up next weekend. ill see you then too.

That's right ! Nov 20th. I've got you're alum door pins ready. Burning a couple more CD's for ya too !

sweet! thanks. i'll bring the cash.

sorry for the :topic: taylor

yeah, sorry Taylor, we get carried away with all the mods going on !!

anyways, Taylor,
don't know if the pictures I posted previously from my wife's C320 2004.5 arm rest are helpful in any way to show any differences/similarities between it and the older armrests...

here's the link:

2004 armrest

Carlos
:zoom:
Saprissa@aol.com

No prob guys, just don't go :topic: again!

To prove this retofit can be done I need the following help:
1. How to remove the rear vents on the centre console?

If I can get that answered I'll have the retrofit complete soon and pics for everyone!

I guess no-one is interested in this retrofit. :mad:

Help a member out! Someone must have instructions of how to remove the rear vents behind the armrest! Sunman?

steve has set my install date for nov. 27th if you wanna hang on til then. dude im interested in the retrofit, have been for a long time, i just dont have access to the WIS.

removing rear vents behind the armrest instructions.... HELP !!
 

I don't know if Sunman has done it. I think he has... shoot, he's only taken his car apart and put it back together in record time, numerous times !
He will respond soon enough. I know you've got the dealer waiting, so you might want to shoot him a PM or e-mail.

I don't think it's that no-one is interested, I just think that no-one has done it yet, and waiting to get it done. CitronC230K_03 will be one of the first to get it done in a couple of weeks, and I will follow shortly afterwards. Will try to take some good pics, and write down the play-by-play.

Carlos
:zoom:
Saprissa@aol.com

I would also be interested, as I am about to install a UHI interface, and the cover flipping to either side vs. front to back would be a huge convenience addition. So far I have not been able to spot any success reports.

let's start a list ! Arm rest cover from "front-to-back flip" to "side-flipping"

taylor192
CitronC230K_03
Saprissa
vadim

I'm going to shoot him an email now. I think he installed 'rear heated seats', or whoever did, installed the switches below the rear vents, so they must have some idea of how to remove the rear vents, or at least the trim around them.

I'm going to attempt to remove it today, hopefully I don't break anything :D

I know people are interested, just lately its been hard to find good info on either site. It seems the knowledgable people have either left, stopped posting as much, we're asking questiosn that don't interest them, or we're asking things they just don't know.

yes he did install the siwtches for the rear heated seats. im not sure if he has installed the actual heating elements though. some of his projects he pieces together. like distronic, PTS, heated/vented front seats, etc. so he have just installed the switch row. he told me they back vents just clip into place. it comes off in one piece. then you will be able to access the screws, to unscrew from the center console. i never did this because im not installing my armrest. steve is installing with my UHI. my UHI is getting installed Nov. 27th at 5pm. once i see the install take some pics, i will report back. probably too late, but that's all i can do, since im not installing my new armrest.

OK, so it just clips on, maybe I'll just try and pry it out with some interior trim removal tools.

Thanks for all the help. I know you're scheduled for Nov 27, yet I'm impatient! :D

yes i did look at the rear vents, and emailed sunill asking how to remove them. he said that even though the rear vent area looks like two seperate pieces, it comes off as one and it is just clipped on. sunil has removed his i know for sure since he installed the rear seat heater switches and has removed that entire console as well. you may want to shoot him an email/PM if your not sure.

don't worry about being impatient, i can sympathize with that.

taylor192
CitronC230K_03
Saprissa
vadim
brabusCcoupe

I am not sure how the coupe is but the sedan rear vents are one piiece. I mean the entire piece from teh vents to the ashtray is one piece and comes apart as one piece. That piece is not screwed on. It is simply clipped on. DO NOT USE A SCREWDRIVER to pry it off or you will damage the side material on the console. I used a OEM mercedes tool. Acutally ist's just a plastic dull wedge. I wedged it where the rear plastic piece meets the center console. You have to start from one side and then move around. Removing the ashtray and sticking your hands in there may help also. Once the rear panel is removed, you will see the screws holding the armrest in place. If you simply cannot remove the rear panel, then i would suggest you remove the entire center console and pop it out from underneath. The rear panel is really really firmly clipped on. It will be a challange and it will hurt your fingers.

Got my new center console lid installed today
 

I got my new 05 center console lid. Search for the part numbers if anyone wants them. Doug posted them already. I liek it much better than the older one since it is double opening to the side. I will post pics later when I finish installing the floor plate

Just to be sure, you mean the armrest, right? That's on my to do list. If you could post how you installed it, I'd be much obliged. Thanks.

Yes, I meant the center armrest lid. It also has the shelf below that holds the phone. You have to pop the rear vent assy off but no one I explained this to, understands what I mean. There are no screws at all. It has to be pryed off. It's tough! It's on there tight. Once you remove the rear vents, then you can access the screws for the lid. The rear vent assy is from the vents to the ashtray on bottom. The whole thing.

Wow, I thought that the armrests were not compatible from new to old? That's what I read somewhere. ;)

p.s. What do you mean by "screws for the lid"? I don't think there are any screws... just latches.

-s-

oops, you caught me. I meant latches for the lid. THe new lid fits perfectly on my older center console. No problems at all. Dean, did you not fit one in Doug's car?

Yeah I was just messin' with you. :)

-s-

...must have been true then...as everything on the web is true...

greetingz,

I hear ya!

I hate the new armrest lid, it came off twice already and then I have to fumble with it for a half hour to get it back on. Is there a trick to this?

There's a document in WIS on how to get it installed properly. It's like some sort of game code. If you can't find it let me know and I will ask sunman to post it. :)

-s-

Opposite problem
 

I have the opposite problem. The lid doesn't come off, it just gets out of line or something and then won't open from either side. Anyone else have a similar problem? Last time I had to get the dealer to fix it. It was free but a waste of time. I'd appreciate it if someone knows how to get it back working again.

Thanks.

everything i read i believe! :y

thats the american way! LOL! :rolf:

Scorchie / Sunman,
Please post it.... :bow: don't have access to WIS.
My wife's 2004.5 Sport Sedan's center armrest lid popped off as well,
and for me a 30 minute job will most likely be 4 to 6 hours. :hammer:

Greatly appreciate it !

Carlos
:zoom:
Saprissa@aol.com

ive heard this is a problem with the new armrests. my SA was telling me about this.

2004 Center Console Armrest Retrofit and Troubleshooting
 

The really cool mechanism for the center console armrest cover stuck shut today, with my phone inside. The dealership says they'll fix it while I wait on Wednesday AM, but offered no insight as to the steps for resolving this problem over the phone.

The door has always worked flawlessly. I had been suitably impressed with the design. It is very cool how the internal mechanism locks-out the button on the opposite side when it's open.

Any ideas on how to free the cover when it's fully closed but both sides ack like the other is open?

dude!!! mine came off the hinge saturday because my ipod aux cable got in the way of the latch!!! it was stuck and would not close OR open. i had to mess with it for an hour to fix it without breaking something. good luck it wasn't easy.

LOL... It's happened to me many a time! I've had to press buttons wiggle it every damn thing to get my phone out of there. I thought I broke it at one point b/c it came off of its hinge. But, after pressing it back in, it's good. Never overstuff that thing!

That was the problem, a small flat plastic item stopped the large compartment cover from fully closing, which then prevented the phone cover from opening.

It is all set now, thanks.

I hate the new cover, whish I had my 2002 cover. That thing pops off at least once a month and then I have to fiddle with it for 1/2 hour each time. The trick, according to the service advisor is to put the drivers side on first, push the button really hard and pull open the hinge piece, slide the pin on the hinge side first and then slide the front pin on. t first I thought it was just me, or just my car but I tried it on the car on their show room and with little effort, I popped it off. Mine pops off because I put to much pressure on the lid when I open it, also sometimes something shifts in there like a pen and it acts like a lever when I close the lid it cause the otherside pop off. Overall, not a good design. Wish everyone complained and forced them into a recall.

umm... so my armrest fell apart to day.....
 

Yea. I got in my car on my way to my school when I noticed my armrest was squeaking like all hell. So me, being the curious guy that I am... pulled the leaver to open the armrest... well the whole top came off! I was like WTF!?! I set it aside till I got to my school parking lot and spent about 30 min tiring to get it back on. But no luck. The side buttons don’t move at all there stuck. So I can’t get the small prongs to move it so I can place it back on the rest of the armrest.

I guess im going to take it to the dealer tomorrow. But any one else have this problem? And how did you fix it? It annoyed the hell out of me since I use the armrest all the time, to drive 45 min home from school with my elbow in a fuzzy pocket of the armrest pissed me off :( :wall:

On a side note... Big thanks to Steve and Dean :y

Teaser pic :D
http://www.stephensantoro.net/ohhh2.jpg

This post in this topic may be useful.

My armrest isnt broken, but i think my seat is making the squeking noise, or it could be the armrest im not sure. Its annoying as hell though. :nix:

so this is a post about random whining?

My girlfriend was in a lousy mood last night!

:rolleyes:

My assumption is that you are posting this because it is not because of you?

My seat squeaks and the ir sensor to roll the window down from the outside on the passenger side quit working :(

That was my whine for the day! :)

use some brute force...

the 05 230k sport loaner they gave me had that happened too. I managed to get it back in.

and gratz with the bixenon and euro impact strip.

my whole damn car squeaks, consider yourself lucky lol

Love the teaser pic, its like a hot women showing some boob
:y

But without the boobs :(

i like the euro impact strip it looks really good..but that sucks to hear about the armrest :rolleyes:

and how much did the impact strip cost with it painted mars red?
thanx

if the armrest ever got stuck halfway and wouldn't open or close while my ipod was stuck inside i think i'd have to get a hammer or a crowbar and find a little solution of my own

don't worry, it will happen soon enough.

everyone so far with a 2004.5 & 2005 has gotten that darn armrest stuck at least once.
I've become a pro at fixing these !!

Carlos
:zoom:
Saprissa@aol.com

well i went to the dealer to day and had it fixed in 15min. my service rep said its a common thing. so im happy all back to normal.

AdamVax you have a PM :D

frank you can hook it up with the euro strips? Please PM me!!!!

i went it for this 3 times. I told them its not acceptable and had them order a new one for me. Not to rain on your parade but if they just put it back together your armrest will fall apart again. The little prongs that hold the armrest there are scuffed. Go get a new one!!!

my armrest didn't fell off... but my glove box and door handle did... :(

console problem
 

Hey guys, just seeing if anyone else has had this problem. My console is stuck shut. It's not only stuck shut, its also lifted part way up and won't go back down. I am sure this is covered under warranty but would like to know if anyone else has had this problem. This car is only 3 weeks old and am surprised I am having this minor problem. I cant even open the small section or lift the large section so I dont even have access to the garage door opener. The damn thing is stuck shut and lifted out of place about 3 inches. I tried to push it down in all directions but the sucker just wont budge! I have to take it in anyways for alignment so they'll just have to fix this too.

I know MB hasn't been on anyones hit parade lately for reliability. So I am expecting minor things like this to happen. Hopefully it stays minor.

One last thing kinda off topic but still relates. When I come to a stop light, sometimes I can hear a noise in the trunk or rear area that sounds like a knocking or popping sound. Maybe 3 or 4 light knocks. Cant even imagine what this could be. Car runs fine though. Anyone think of what this could be? Like I said, its once in awhile so no biggie! Thanks for the help.

Same thing happen to my console, but I'm waiting till my Service A appt. to have it addressed.

Any pics?

are you guys talking about the center arm rest ????

there are 2 threads about that if it is. And someone, I think Buellwinkle posted instructions on how to fix it yourself in less than 15 seconds.

It happened to my wife's car, and I did it myself. The guy who can't figure out which way to unscrew a bolt. Lefty-loosy something rather..... :wall:

I think I experience the same sound, and its when im at a stop also. Thought someone was locked in my trunk once, haha,,let me know of your findings

Center armrest thing
 

The center armrest container thing in my car is jamemd and it wont open or close!! HELP my car is very sad...idk what its called so i searched a few made up words but nothing. :nix:

Happened to me
 

Don't panic, nothing is broken. This is simply caused by openinig the armrest one way, when it has not been closed completly another way. If you opened it to access the small compartment and then did not completly close it and then tried to open the large compartment the hinge locks up and you can't do anything.

It is about a five minute fix at the dealer if you are close to one. You don't even need an appointment normally to do it...just shmooze the service person at the desk and have them bring one of their guys out.

Sorry I can't tell you how to fix it yourself, but rest easy that nothing is actually broken.

Thanks i don't wanna go to dealer, to far ill look at it in the morning....i fixied it last time but i forgot how...i was drunk and on passenger side, so ill start from there. :nix:

HA...so get drunk and I am sure it will all work out!

Drinking fixes everything. :y

Check for items in the storage box that could interfere with the mechanism.

Mine stopped working properly because a thin card obstructed a pin, permitting the box to close, but not letting the pin to enter the opening that let the mechanism to "know" the box was closed. My phone was stuck in the cradle until I fixed that problem.

Crappy Center Armrest
 

So I dont mind the center armrest getting stuck every once and a while...but I do mind it getting loose and uncomfortable

Whenever I push my elbow down against the back end the armrest it seems to click down and then pop back on up, kind of hard to describe..but Im pretty sure that when I first got the car the armrest was nice and firm.


Anyone else have a similiar kind of issue? Think I can get it replaced under warranty?

the problem i had was the finish was peeling and the dealer replaced it under warranty. I am sure your dealer will do the same for your armrest.

Bubbling
 

peeling is something I would hope for so I could get a replacement 'fo show'

I think whats really my problem is that the vinyl has bubbled up a slight bit...I've read about this as a problem with the ML's....maybe?

i think first it would bubble up and then it would peel. that's how it was with my car. Ever since they replaced the armrest I stopped resting my arm on it and that seems to work :)

haha i hear you..but thats got to be pure torture(at least for me). Im sure if it happens again- which it will- theyll replace it for you np.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....an arm rest you should not rest your arm on.............hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Something wrong with that! :rolleyes:

I clean my armrest almost every 2-3 weeks, I wipe it with warm water, then leather lotion or armor all leather shine thing, and the armrest "leather" is kinda warping, sucks

Peeling?? Is this the dead skin look on the armrest?? or actual fading of color, etc.?

Center Armrest/compartment
 

My friend somehow popped off the top lid to the center armrest. I've searched the forum and haven't found any results as to how to put it back on. Does anyone know how to do this or should I go to the dealer? Thanks in advance.

I searched the Forum for you...
 

This Post may be able to help you:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=106850

Check out Bullwinkle's post.

I followed his instructions on how to remove the top from the arm rest. If you perform the reverse you can get it back on. These covers have a tendency to jam from time to time - so since you already have it off I would suggest lubing it up with some WD40 at the joint before putting it back on.

Center console latch on 2003 C320 Coupe
 

The latch on our C320 Coupe stopped working recently. The symptoms are that the console lid will not latch into place, and cannot be height adjusted, and the top compartment can't be opened.

When I investigated the problem, it appears that inside the console, on the passenger side, there is a molded protrusion that releases the latch on the lid, and also allows the top compartment to be opened. It appears that my console lid does not close down far enough to engage this protrusion. The dealer replaced the lid, but I questioned what use that will have. As I expected, it didn't fix the problem, and when I got the car back, the dealer had driven a screw into the protrusion to make it higher so that it catches the latch. It works now if I really slam the lid down.

Of course, I told them this is not acceptable to me - if I wanted to jury-rig it, I don't need to take it to the dealer. They are now going to replace the whole center console.

My question is - has this happened to anyone else? I can't imagine what could have caused this, as there are no adjustments anywhere - the protrusion is molded into the side of the console bin wall, and the dealer tech said the lid/armrest is not adjustable. Somehow, the center console bin must have dropped lower in some way.

Happened to me once, I just gave it a little "nudge". Problem solved, never happened again.

It Happened To Me
 

My phone compartment cover stuck in the open position. It was opened to expose the passenger side, but the mechanism would not permit it to fully close.

The repair was effected by using a small screwdriver to compress the spring-loaded curved guide, within the passenger side of the top cover, while fully closing the cover. I then jostled the cover to have the internal spring thingies find their proper homes.

It works properly now. It sounds like it now contains a loose part. An extra part?

guess i'm sticking with my armrest... :naughty:

anyone find out how to get the armrest lid back on , sorry to resurect this but it just happened to me today and dont really wanna take it to the dealer and wait to get it fixed

happened to me...you have to hold both side buttons and slide the lid's 'catches' over the 'pegs' from one side..i.e. lid perpendicular to the floor...

still cant get this lid back on the buttons dont work like one wont push in.... any body have any other ideas?

try pushing the center button all the way...that freed mine made both side buttons 'release'...then i pushed both side buttons...hope it works for you...

fixed! thanks man

The first time that I had to fix that one it took forever.

Hey i checked out your website and it was quite informative. I had heard my newly installed COMAND system's FAN upon getting into the car a couple off times and so I went to investigate. I did not know if the seat issue was an issue or it was my self-installed COMAND system. So i went into the diagnostic functions and selected system reset and the FAN stopped. I think I will mention that issue to my dealer when I go in for a quick NAV to Instrument panel communications reconfiguration with their STAR Diagnose. It may be the COMAND system, or maybe the CAN Bus controller needs a reset?:nix:

Everytime I had a loaner that thing was foob'd when I got a it.
I figured out how to put it on, but yeh, the new cover just pisses me off.
You have to like hold the buttons down and push the latches in the just the right sequence to get it back on, and meanwhile you can't open the bottom compartment.
I prefer the old style, just as prefer the analog temp controls.
Requires no effort, and you can keep your eyes on the road.

MY 05 Console Cover Mechanism Functional Definition
 

The center console cover mechanism on my MY 05 C320 sports coupe is very cool. It permits opening the phone cover to one side or the other, or raise the whole cover to expose the lower compartment. Each action has interlocks, that prevent other actuations, when one action is active.

My cover worked fine until recently. It then had problems closing when the cover was opened from the passenger side. It would not close without LOTS of effort. I also heard a loose internal part at that point.

A putty knife was used to break the glue bonds and expose the internal guts. My plan is to use airplane glue to restore the glued halves.

The problem with my cover was the loose part. It retained the passenger side of the rear hinge pin sub frame. The torsion spring forced the passenger hinge interlock out of position, because of the broken part. My guess is I or a passenger pressed too hard on the cover and broke that internal part. I used epoxy to repair the broken part. The rear hinge pin sub frame now remains in place.

There are three main interlocks within the top cover. These all have visible parts when the assembly is complete. Two are the curved fingers near the rear hinge pins. These rotate out the small openings when the interlock is active and rotate flat when the interlock is free. The other is the interlock for the lower compartment. It is the small post at the front center. When compressed that interlock permits the cover to open side-to-side.

There are two lateral interlocks that prevent both sides from being opened.

That lower compartment interlock post also interacts with the interlocks in the lower compartment. The post compresses the lower compartment interlock, retracting the two side pins, permitting the lower compartment to open. Those two side pins need to extend into pockets in the lower compartment to satisfy the post, for the cover to open side-to-side.

If the top cover becomes detached, then the lower compartment interlock post needs to be depressed. The two rear hinge interlocks need to be rotated into the compressed position. Then the side pushbutton needs to be compressed, to retract the hinge pins. With the hinge pins retracted, the top cover may be repositioned into place.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...dCoverAssy.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...nsoleCover.jpg

wow nice photos, that thing is pretty complicated for a damn armwrest!

This image shows the motions for each component and the glue locations.

http://s101.photobucket.com/albums/m...rAssywGlue.jpg

Let's try again...

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...rAssywGlue.jpg

Yup happened to me too... think it was a pack of cigs that got it stuck and of all things, i had this gold diamond ring my dad just gave me.... dunno how in the hell i got it to open, but glad i didn't have to go to the dealer to have it opened only to see my ring gone forever!

I think I've found the trick! No brute force is needed.

First push down the latch pin for the lower component (the light blue dot thing in wingless's pic) while pushing in one side of the button. Then, while the button is now able to be fully pushed in, turn open the hinge arm (dark blue in the pic) on the button side. The arm should be locked and the hinge pins should go inside the cover. Do not release the button! Carefully put the cover back onto the console on the side that's open. Close the cover, things should work fine now. :)

The mechanism has been working faily well.

There were two instances when the cover "messed up".

In both instances the cover could not fully close.

To correct the problem, the lower hinge interlock required manual actuation, rotating and holding it depressed. The lower compartment interlock is then also depressed halfway. With the third hand, the upper door pushbutton is depressed and held.

All those steps retract the upper hinge pin, permitting the cover to close normally.

It appears that closing the cover slowly causes this particular problem. It appears that closing the cover slowly actuates the upper hinge interlock, releasing the upper hinge pin, prior to the pin reaching the hinge hole.

It appears that closing the cover quickly, or slamming the cover prevents this problem.

What is this? (Image)
 

What are the indents on the underside of the center console lid for? I searched but I cant figure it out. Is it just to make room for a cell phone to fit? Seems like it holds something with those little clips on the sides?

cards, supposedly

was wondering wat that was too...i can cards on it...insurance..etc

i always thought business cards :nix:

That was my guess also, but I figured that was just too weird and there would be a better explanation. :crazy:

useless! They are meant to hold gas or other credit cards.

Ladies know instantly they are for holding your credit cards.

Arm rest cover help on an 05?
 

The arm rest (the part with the buttons on it) came completely off. I need to know if anyone knows how to put this piece back on. I tried to search the forum but couldn't find any solution.

The last paragraph in this reply in this topic has the requested information. The central lower compartment post is only depressed halfway.

Yeah cuz the i use the chrome card holder in the glove box for my business cards. I'm gonna see if a cc works in that slot under the lid.

Supposedly cards but mine always fall out so I don't even bother anymore.

Please use the Search. It's been discussed. These are card holders.

Those are for gates, electronic doors cards, at list that what I use it for, but the problem is that the cards start to bent.

Hey isn't that phone cradle useless also? lol

2005 C240 Front Armrest Cover Installation
 

Somehow, the front armrest cover (which opens to the right, to the left, and to the top) came off, and for the life of me, I can't put it back on. Nothing seems to be broken, the front and side release buttons work, the two pins on each side are intact, and the two rear plastic hinges work. I see the openings for the pins in the compartment tray itself, but I can't fit the rear pins in the cover to align with the corresponding rear holes in the tray.

I thought I was pretty adept at fixing these kinds of things, so I'm really puzzled. Any idea what I'm overlooking?

you need to do one side at a time. slide the back into the hole then snap into place in the front. someone broke mine, and thats what i remember doing.. months ago though :nix: i also remember messing with it for a while and having as much trouble as you :D

This is a better description of how to fix the cover when it's stuck open or becomes detached.

The rear of the cover has a rotating spring-loaded protruding curved arm that is part of the hinge interlock, colored red or olive in the image. Press and hold that, against the spring, into the compressed position.

The front of the cover has a spring-loaded protruding peg that is the lower compartment interlock, the small light blue dot in the image. Press and hold that HALF WAY compressed.

While holding both as described, then press and hold the side pushbutton, the one used to open the cover, colored red or dark green in the image. Once the side pushbutton is held depressed, the other two components don't need to be held anymore.

Then, slam the cover shut. Open and slam it shut several times to get the parts properly seated.

This problem will always happen if the cover is closed slowly. The cover needs to slam shut. If the cover is closed slowly, then the lateral interlock releases the hinge pins, prior to alignment with the hinge pin hoes.


This procedure is also used for another common problem, a fully detached console cover. The hinge pins need to be retracted and held retracted, by defeating the interlocks. Once the hinge pins are held retracted, they may be aligned with the hinge holes, when the fully detached is replaced.

Armrest troubles...
 

Has anyone had problems with their armest latches gettin stuck?

I have an 05' c230K sedan and the middle armrest locking mechanisms seem to be stuck or locked out as if it were closed regularly. Now that it's stuck, the driver side is higher than the passenger side and i can't find a way to solve this problem. This is the second time it has happened, I'm not quite sure how but i managed to fix it the first time.

Any help would be greatful. Thanks in advance!

that's happened a million times to a million people.
There is a huge thread in here that explains how to fix it.

Since this is your first post, I take it you haven't searched, but I'll have the threads merged together.

I'll leave it at that. But please search the forum for these types of things.
You are not the first person on this forum with a 2005 C230K Sedan.

Armrest Innards
 

I opened up my armrest this morning and the padded lid separated cleanly from the bottom plastic base panel of the lid (you know, the piece that has the credit card slots molded into it). It looks like the plastic welds just gave out between the two halves. The rough lines you see are where MB must use an ABS welding solvent to get the two sides to "melt together". You can see two of them at the bottom of the shot...they're the vertical rectangles. I'll go out tomorrow and buy some solvent...that stuff sets in a few minutes. I already dry fit the two pieces back together and they fit like a glove.

I just thought the teckno junkies might like to see what the inside of this mechanism looks like so I took a quick snap of the underside of the padded top panel.

Pretty well designed (as all MB innovations seem to be). I checked the forum for anything related, and I couldn't find anything, so for now, I'll appoint myself the resident forum expert on internal armrest affairs. Any questions, I can answer...that is, until I glue the two halves back together and completely forget how it all works.

I'd normally be mad at something like this, but it's so weird, and so easy to fix...I can't seem to get riled.

well,
there's something you don't see often on a W203/CL203/S203

https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...8&d=1221439467

thanks for sharing.... :y
These side-to-side opening armrest lids seem to get stuck time to time when people put too much stuff inside, so if anything this photo shows the locking mechanisms and how they inter-relate.

Carlos
:zoom:
Saprissa@aol.com

Wow...look at the design involved in something so minor as an armest door.

:y to MB !!

Cintoman

seriously.
You would think they can put an extra computerized module in there or something...

Carlos
:zoom:
Saprissa@aol.com

FS: 2002 C230K Coupe armrest cover (charcoal)
 

For sale: 2002 C230K Coupe armrest cover, charcoal. Original (one that opens from the front).

Very good condition, no peeling, scratches or abrasions.

Reasonalbe offer + actual S/H paid by the buyer.

Does it fit the Sedan as well? I've got a dent in mine from where my elbow goes.

C-Coupe/Coupé (CL) & C-Sedan/Saloon (W) & C-Wagon/Estate (T or S), all used the same armrest cover.
Should work just fine.

Carlos
:zoom:
Saprissa@aol.com

Can you please post a pic?

Coupe wheels and grill on the sedan...nice. I would have never started the wheel/tire frenzy a few years ago if the used car dealer would have hooked me up like that when I bought my first benz.

Pictures added. Please see the original post.

I've been looking for this myself. Willing to pay via paypal - how much are you after. I think the original is quoted at something like $260

Thanks. Actually the wheels were stock for the '04 C230K non-sport up here in Canada.

still have it?

Sold.

old armrest can be swapped out for a new type but it is not a easy thing to do !!

wow - I 'was' planning on upgrading my 2003 arm rest to the 2004 version - but again after reading all these posts about it breaking, no way!

I'm still in the market for a (good condition) '03 arm rest if anyone is selling. PM me.

Same problem with center console cover stuck
 

Sorry, everyone. I'm a newbie to the forum and to MB's. I recently bought my wife an 05 CLK conv. She's some how gotten the center console door stuck partly open, as described by Kojack below. I've been searching for over an hour and can't find the link mentioned by Saprissa.

Can someone point me to the link?

Had this happen to me, only my culprits ended up being a soccer ball and a skateboard in the trunk hitting the back of the rear seats. :-p

merging to the LINK
 

I clicked on "SEARCH" then clicked on "ADVANCE SEARCH"
typed in: "Center Console" then filtered it to the W203 forum only.

Voila... the link in question. Searching takes seconds not hours.

for your convenience and to clean up the forum, I've linked your thread with the overall armrest center console thread. Hope you find your fix !


Saprissa

Center Console cover stuck
 

Thanks for quick response. Sorry, but I'm still missing something. When I do as you suggest, I come up with 30 pages of threads. I looked through several of the threads but didn't run across the one with the solution. What am I missing?:nix:

P.S. For what it's worth, I have a W209. Hopefully, it still applies.

I just linked your post to the thread in question.

even so, the advance search feature is simple, and led straight to this thread.

So i'm calling "operator error" at this point. :nix:

Got it! Thanks much, Saprissa.

anybody have problems with theirs?

mine keeps popping off, I think the hinges are ****ty

Yup for me this thing always pops off and it takes a good 5-10 minutes of pulling those hinges back and slamming to get it back on.
Causes me more frustration than its worth I just think of it now as an armrest without storage and never open it anymore.

Thank You
 

Thank you ! You solve my center console problem.
Alexandre Fusco - From Brazil

BACK FROM THE DEAD! sorry...

is anthracite the right color for me? i have a black interior and it costs 200 bux on parts.com where are you guys buying that lid for less?

my center console lid got cut :smash: and now it has an ugly horrible tare on it. i dont need to replace anything else but the very top lid with the pleather on it. i dont need the compartments or anything. is that part number the right part im looking for?

any one know? bump

I am pretty sure that the colour-code that gets ammended to the part# is 9E23.

my wife's car has this armrest and it is stuck... are there instructions on how to remove it / has this happened to alot of members? (i got to this thread by searching - please dont tell me to search) :-D

stuck armrest
 

It happens frequently with my wife. It's difficult for me to explain the procedure but it's fairly easy once you've done it. In the crack below the top lid, there's a release mechanism that you can reach with your fingers to release, if your fingers aren't too big. After that, you'll probably find that one of the hinge pins is out of its socket so you'll have to press the pin in with a small screwdriver or something while you line it up with the hole.

I can't find the "fix" in advanced search either. Mine console is exactly like someone esle described where the lower portion is sticking up like 3 inches and the portion that opens side-to-side won't close either. I'm getting frustrated. I can't find the fix :(

Hello. First post! My wifey's 05 C240 center console armrest is out of whack. I've tried the methods previously posted to pop it back on but the small retracting peg (on the elbow side) just won't go into the hole even when I have the spring-loaded latch pushed back when slamming the cover shut. She's had problems opening the driver's side for quite some time but finally the passenger side gave up the ghost too (while I was using the car, so guess who's fault it is?).

Not that I have money to throw around these days (wait, I mean ever) but does anyone have the part# for a replacement center console compartment armrest/cover for a black interior? Also, how much?

Thanks in advance..!

Disected Armrest - W203
 

Dear all,

Can anybody provide clearer pictures of internal guts of this armrest (as per below) since mine has jammed and i have pry opened the armrest and the entire guts of armrest has spilled out.

I need a clearer pictures whereby i can reassemble the unit back.

Appreciate your kind assistance in advance.

Retrofit a "Side" opening Armrest with "center" opening
 

Please know I have gone through so many pages in this post and I cannot find a straight answer...please help
I have a 2004 C320 Sedan with that stupid side opening version of the Armrest. It was badly busted when I got the car. It is the most complicated configuration I have ever seen...
I want to replace it with one of the older, front/center opening armrest like what is on my 2002 C320 Wagon
What I am seeing looking at the 2 cars, this might be doable.
It looks as though the Lids come attached to the Pocket immediately under it and this should come off as a unit.
It looks like it has hinge arms that go down into the Center Console.
How do you release this Armrest assembly from the Center Console?
I see where it is mentioned that the rear vent assembly pulls away and the arms can be accessed/released from that back side. I have tried to the point of breaking the plastic trim trying to get the rear vents free.
I also see, from the inside with the Lid/pocket raised fully, 2 slots about where the hinges would be. I have tried jamming a thin screw driver in there to release the arms...no luck..
What am I missing please!! If I can't get the top/pocket off I will haveto look to replace the entire center console/armrest assembly and they are pricey..

I am only posting in this old and very long Post because of the threat of creating a new post about something already covered...but in these pages of comments under this subject..I just can't find a definable answer.

Years later I want to say thanks to Wingless for the perfectly understandable and accurate description of the fix. I was very perplexed at first. I understood there was a relationship between the two sides needing to be both latches and hinges when appropriate and preventing one behavior when functioning as the other, but hadn't managed to grok the solution. Wingless' description had it fixed in 5 minutes.
Thanks
Tony

need one
 

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...3d53f4b5ce.jpg were can i find one like this

I realise this is an old post.. But i have just completed a transfer of the centre console from an older c180 to a newer 2003 c230, to rectify the failing armrest lid!.
Unfortunately, i don't think you are able to easily transfer 'just' the armrest portion of the console, you need to transfer the complete centre console!
It was a bit of work, but now looks and works great!
I much prefer the older style front opening armrest cubby lid, to the overly complicated side opening, newer variant, which was constantly working its way loose, or getting jammed!..