Anyone know what the buttons are on the console in the center next to the headrest down / rear screen up buttons? Installing a stealth radar detector and would like to put a factory looking kill switch to turn it off.

 

If they lack icons then you can use them for other functions.

 

If they lack icons then they are blanks and you can substitute switches for the blanks.

 

Echo..

 

Wait, what do you guys mean we can use these switches? I can't even press mine in...

 

You can't press them in because they are blanks - placeholders for switches.

In general, there are two types of switches - momentary contact and on-off.

You'll need to buy the type of switch for your console location and find one that has a symbol on it that you'll find acceptable. There are tons of switches available in Europe because of all the individual options.

 

There was a day when Mercedes had such attention to detail, apparently "Blank switches" were unacceptable and would never make it to your car. They'd use completely new pieces, designed to look good and proper with the switches you had, rather than the new cost-cutting, crude/cheap way of going about it.

 

My 300 didn't have any blanks and neither did my 600 but anything built in the 80's onward had some sort of blanks.

 

This is how it currently is and was with the W221 and W220, with exception to the W221s without ventilated seats if I'm not mistaken.

 

My 97 E did not have blanks so I was disappointed to see them on my E350. Every time I look at them they remind me of some option that I did not get.

 

I'd like to wire a train horn into one of those buttons

 

Blank switches are put into cars now on purpose. Supposed you wanted to install something aftermarket in your car and you wanted this new gadget's on/off switch to be seamlessly intergrated into your existing console. Instead of the installer having to rip your console out and try to cut a hole into it that would fit you new on/off switch, they can just simply pop the placeholder out and put in the switch thus minimizing the effort to install something, minimizing the potential of screwing your console up while trying to cut a hole into it, minimizing the possibility of the console rattling when re-assembling it and having the new switch blend in with the rest of the console. This was practice was pretty common in Europe in the 80's and early 90's.
Imagine if you get a Sprint Booster; you can have the settings rocker switch integrated into your console where one of these place holder buttons would be. A very clean and elegant design. You can also wire up your radar detector/laser jammer and integrate its on/off switch into your console via these blank place holder buttons. The possibilities are endles.

 

"Blanks" have been around since at least the 1950's. Used to cover hole where radio or clock went if car did not have one.
M-B has blanks for same reason all other car manufacturers have them. It's cheaper to produce one panel with X number of holes in it for all possible options and then cover holes with pieces of plastic if options not installed.
For proof, look in Operators Manual at instrument panel/dash and it shows what goes in the blanks.

 

Absolutely not. The last thing any OEM wants you doing is messing with the factory wiring. It's a cost-cutting/variant reduction measure, period.

 

Correct, but the reasoning is more than merely cost cutting. As cars become more international with different options it just makes sense to fill the space with button sized blanks rather than with one much larger blank. There are inventory control issues and the whole LHD vs RHD thing as well.

I remember a BMW manager telling me that a study showed that people would rather a row equally sized blanks rather than a lopsided button and a large blank.

 

As I said - variant reduction!

 

I've searched around a bit trying to find a source for replacements for the blank switches and as of yet apparently have not figured out the right search terms.

I did find the one other huge thread on custom-etching new switches, which is a bit farther than I want to go. If these switches are truly functional already and just need a new piece of plastic on the front to replace the blank, I'm definitely interested in using them for other add-ons in my car.

Can anyone recommend where replacements for the blank switches can be purchased please?

Thanks.

 

As info for anyone else trying to do this, I talked to my dealer today and was told that the only way you can replace these (from MB at least) is to order the entire panel containing the row of switches below the radio. This includes the horizontal section with the buttons for the seat heaters, rear shade, etc.

The part runs ~$300, but the parts guy wasn't sure that buying a new panel with additional functional buttons would be a good idea given that the entire panel connects via wiring harness, and if your car doesn't have the functions in it that are expected for a given panel with a given set of buttons, he wasn't sure what would happen.

It could be making the connection to the harness is as simple as snipping/soldering a couple of wires to a different connection, however he wasn't sure without someone actually trying it. For $300 and no guarantee of it working, I decided just to mount my switch under my dash, and skip the use of the factory buttons. I love the idea, but am not sure if it would work. If anyone has luck with this in the future please post back as I'd be interested to know how you did it.

 

I ended up installing the auxillary switch just under that section of the console I was able to tuck in nicely and I only know it is there.

 

Any chance at a picture where you have it? I'm having mine installed Friday and would like to be explicit in my directions to the installer so there aren't any miscommunications about where the switch ends up. Thanks.

 

I had a 1/2" round rocker switch installed in the right hand corner and the led indicator light in the opposite site. The rocker switch tucks right away from sight unless you know to look for it. I had hopped to get a factory switch to fill in one of the blanks to keep the stock look but no dice!

 

Trying to visualize what you mean... here is one picture I've seen which is clean, but obviously not really hidden, but it is a small round rocker switch.

Is this what you mean?

 

No one can. That's why we're exploring alternatives.

 

That is the exact button I have and on the E there is a recess to the console just above the ashtray. I had my installer tuck the LI switch up under the overhang and placed the alert light on the opposite corner.

 

Thanks, I looked up some pictures of the 2011 E interior and see what you mean now. There isn't a recess like that on the C interior, so I'll go hunting for somewhere else to put it. Personally, the location in that previous picture is a bit too obvious for me. Looking for something a bit more out of the way but still easily toggled if you know what you're looking for.