When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Old headlight facia panel. Worn and the plastic has perished. W211 E320 2004 Back of headlight switch unit. What's the trick in getting the facia and the box apart in order to replace the facia with a new one? E320 W211 New facia panel I wish to install but I can't get the old plate of the headlight switch box. E320 W211 headlight facia
There's a decent video on YouTube where the guys sticks a tiny screwdriver into the hole where my finger is in the last image - but damned if I can get the 2 to seperate
Back of headlight switch unit. What's the trick in getting the facia and the box apart in order to replace the facia with a new one? E320 W211 New facia panel I wish to install but I can't get the old plate of the headlight switch box. E320 W211 headlight facia
Did you ever get a reply? I too have seen a video but there's no sound or person explaining what they are feelig inside the box. Or what they are triggering to release the knob. This is driving me cookoo. - Allan atschramm1@outlook.com
Did you first try cleaning it up using some mild fluid? If I recall correctly, I used Go-Gone with a Q-tip. a bit a time and pass a warm/hot soapy towel over, and repeat.
I recall making a mistake either with alcohol I believe, and one of the white drawings smeared . Overall, it is clean, smooth, nice black but the white smear of the AUTO .
Hopefully, I am not recalling it backward, but it saved me from taking it out and taking a chance of breaking the cylinder while dissembling it. At this age, all these plastic parts are already brittle to put more inexperienced hands on it.
In answer to everyone, I finally managed to pry the unit open but in doing so I had to literally cut away the plastic with a hack saw and tin cutters. The unit was impossible to open the way it shows in the video so I used the old "percussive maintenance" technique of just completely splitting open the box so I could change the fascia. **** of a job but ended up perfect.
Dear ads1212 - I had gotten to that same point, to cut away at the old cover. I continued to jiggle the screwdriver and pop, it opened. I'm sorry I don't know so can't tell you what actually made it separate. Good luck.
The knob is barbed, and there are two clips attached to the switch itself that both need to be pushed out simultaneously. There are two holes in the top and bottom of the switch that allow you to insert a small screwdriver (the part I bought came with two). Put the screwdriver in straight down and when the screwdriver is touching the shaft of the switch, move the bottom of the screwdriver to the left until it sinks into that groove. Then you should be able to pry the clips open with the screwdriver and pull on the knob to remove it. I don't know how anyone could do this without a third hand to help.
Thanks for posting these details. I had a heck of a time replacing my switch cover. I eventually got so frustrated I just pulled until it popped off. Thankfully nothing broke, but this would have been great to know at the time!
I also had a sticky fascia and bought a hard plastic one from Aliexpress. Fitment was so-so, so I decided to see if I could clean the original fascia. I was able to remove the rubbery goodness and it looks good again with perfect fitment.
@HDePriest
Thanks for the great detailed write-up and video. I love it when someone clearly explains the various nuances involved that make the difference between job done right vs. botched.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
. Overall, it is clean, smooth, nice black but the white smear of the AUTO 
.
