Handed Window Switches - Available or Not Available?

[Jlaa]

Another subject for this thread could be "Nerding around inside the EPC." Anyways, while my center console wood veneer pieces are off being re-finished by Madera, I was looking up the EPC for the front LEFT, and front RIGHT window switches ----

Does anyone know - Are these window switches available in handed format?

In the below picture taken from the Internet, you can see that a 500E has different left/right iconography on the front left/right window switches.




In the below EPC diagram for the E500E, you can see that there were originally two part numbers for the handed window switches ---

• 124 820 89 10 (left)
• 124 820 90 10 (right) <--- however this has been replaced by 89-10 in the EPC and it says "only replaceable in pairs" whatever that means???

In fact, I tried to order both 89-10 and 90-10 and Naperville let me know that I could only order 89-10 ---- which is the driver's side switch.





In the below EPC diagram for a w124 260E, you can see that the handed switches are still available?

• 124 820 46 10 (left)
• 124 820 45 10 (right)

Surely someone has run into this conundrum before? Thanks.

 

[sheward]

I have not, however the switches are easy to refurbish and the switch cover is easily swapped so the switch should be identical. To disassemble, pry the cover off of two plastic pivots, one each side. Be careful of the tiny spring and ball under tension. I understand you may just want new ones. I have spare covers if you need.

drew

 

[gerryvz]

Yes, the switches came in "left" and "right" handed pointing variants with the diagram on the switch. These should be available from both MB and aftermarket sources. If not, the switches are an easy enough find in wrecking yards.

The E500 came, if I remember correctly, with "auto down" switches with an extra detent that moves the windows all the way down with a single touch. Definitely the facelift W124 cars (1994 and 1995) had these; I am not sure if earlier (1992 and 1993) 124 cars including the 500E had these switches from the factory. They are different part numbers for the "one touch" and regular switches, though.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

1-touch down was part of the 1990-up refresh on all 124's.

No dice on aftermarket sources for the switch, btw... appears all the WP/IMC/SSF/etc vendors are also rolling to the left side.

 

[Jlaa]

Thanks gents. Well, if I buy a new switch for the passenger side i will then just buy a new drivers side switch and swap the rocker cover plastic over.

 

[gerryvz]

Just get them from a wrecking yard. Heck, I've probably got 10 complete sets of them in my parts collection.

The aftermarket switches are junk. Go with factory MB used switches.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gerryvz]

I have been at two yards in the past two days - if I'd seen this before I went to the yard yesterday (there was a 1995 E320 and a 1993 400E there) I'd have snagged the sets from both cars and sent them to you, gratis. If I hit any more yards in the next few days I'll be on the lookout for some one-touch switches.

 

[Jlaa]

Thanks for the generosity! Spending time at boneyards is something I haven't done much of --- seemingly life/kids/work/obligations always seems to get in the way --- This is an area of the hobby I'll have to explore more as I recapture some times as the kids get older....

 

[gsxr]

Thanks for the generosity! Spending time at boneyards is something I haven't done much of ... I'll have to explore more as I recapture some times as the kids get older....

FYI... availability in salvage yards (particularly Pick+Pull types) fluctuates with availability / age. 15 years ago you almost couldn't find a 124 in the yards, they were too new and valuable. Somewhere around 5-7 years ago the supply increased dramatically (Cash for Clunkers may have spurred this), but V8 versions are still pretty rare. The next problem will be when supply dwindles and the 124's gradually vanish from the yards, and when they do pop up they tend to be basket cases with few usable parts. I have a feeling we're currently just past peak availability. This will vary by location of course. I'm expecting the availability to continue to decline. Point being, don't wait years before taking the boneyard plunge.

Row 52 website is VERY helpful for CA yards, btw, including a photo and VIN:
http://row52.com/Search?Year=1992-1...nce=50&MakeId=182&ModelId=&LocationId=&Page=1

There's a Malachite/Parchment late-build E420 near Sacto right now... no ASR or bun warmers though:
http://row52.com/Vehicle/Index/WDBEA34E0SC207255

 

[sheward]

I agree. I have been watching part out cars for years here in Atlanta and noticed recently (last coup[le of years) that the numbers are diminishing.

drew

 

[gerryvz]

I have been going to the yards on at least a monthly basis -- generally try to do it every other weekend time permitting -- for the past 6-7 years. Over the past 12-18 months I've seen a definite reduction in the number of W124 models in the yards compared to a few years ago.

At the same time, I've seen a huge ratcheting up of 202, a few 203 and lots of 210 models. 210s and 202s are probably the most common models in the yards now. There are still some 126s, 124s and 201s, but they are not as prevalent as they once were. Seeing very few 123s now.

Interestingly, have seen two 400Es this year in the Houston LKQ yards, and just came across another one in MD yesterday. That makes only 5-6 400Es that I've seen since I've been "doing" the yards.

Have also seen one V-12 W140 sedan and one V-12 C140 coupe in the yards, but have NEVER seen a 126 coupe yet. Seen 2-3 124 coupes in the yards, but they are very uncommon, even less common than 400Es. Occasionally see a 124 wagon, but they were never all that common in Texas, so they don't hit the yards with any frequency. Perhaps 1-2 a year. Same thing with 210 wagons - very infrequent.

210 sedans are the current "sweet spot" for LKQ wrecking yard cars. The days of the 124 passed, as GSXR said, a year or two back.

My junkyarding has been extremely fruitful over the years as far as securing parts spares. I've got just about everything/anything I need. The next thing would/will be to buy a 126 coupe and a 500E basket case to disassemble as parts cars, for larger parts spares.

My parts hoarding is evolving now more into securing "NLA" types of items that I will probably hold onto for a decade or two, then sell when the parts truly become "unobtanium". I'm talking about things like factory M117 "tri-y" exhaust manifolds, H&R 500E springs, 500E LSD diff, larger rear sway bars, and such.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[JC220]

Here in Ireland the prime W124 time in scrapyards was 5 – 10 years ago. Then there would have been maybe 10 -20 W124’s lined up in specialist Mercedes dismantlers yards & I could easily fill a trailer with spares. Lately the yards are all full of W220’s, w202’s & w210’s plus later C Classes etc.

Now the w124 pickings are few & far between. All of this year there have only been 3 cars available for parts & they are all total basket cases. You need to be wearing a Haz Mat suit just to sit inside them. All full of rust and every panel dented. 2x of them also had interior fires from when people were welding them to repair massive amounts of rust. It seems what W124’s are left here are being driven into the ground & then some. (People actually drive these w124's into the yards like this!!!)

The pics attached are of one of the 3 cars that became available for parts this year – it’s not pretty. This was actually the better of the 3 if you could believe that! I could salvage very few parts this year – only some interior trim bits. Couldn’t find one single bit of good stainless trim etc – all dented.