r129 indicator unit

boeken · 28-05-2008, 08:03 PM

hi

sorry i am going thru a long list of all very minor issues i have with my r129 and trying to solve them one by one (the missus is away with the kids for a few days so finally have some time to do these jobs)

in last few days finally managed to:

replace push button on center console arm reset, it had broken off
fixed wiper on rhs headlight
fix lhs rear mirror by removing outer shell and replacing 2 missing spring/clips
still working on inside rear mirror and central nozzle lights!

ever since i bought the car i had noticed that the RHS indicator light does not fit as nicely as the on on the left (it sticks out slightly (3-4mm) where it meets the head lamp unit.

Today i removed the unit and all seems well but when pushing it back in i don't hear the same snap noise i hear as i do with the one on the left hand side which fits nicely, although none of the 3 fastening clips seem broken or bend or damaged i thought perhaps it is just easiest to replace the unit, found the part number 1298261043 on the inside of the unit.

also found this set on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-SL-R1...QQcmdZViewItem

is that any good? hopefully these (at least the RHS one) will solve the not so nice fit

thanks!

BTB 500 · 28-05-2008, 09:53 PM

Strangely the RHS front indicator unit on mine is similar ... it doesn't locate quite as positively as the LHS one (although it doesn't stick out by 3-4 mm). No guarantee that an aftermarket part from eBay will be any better, why not get a quote from a dealer for a genuine one?

nick mercedes · 28-05-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boeken

hi

sorry i am going thru a long list of all very minor issues i have with my r129 and trying to solve them one by one (the missus is away with the kids for a few days so finally have some time to do these jobs)

in last few days finally managed to:

replace push button on center console arm reset, it had broken off
fixed wiper on rhs headlight
fix lhs rear mirror by removing outer shell and replacing 2 missing spring/clips
still working on inside rear mirror and central nozzle lights!

ever since i bought the car i had noticed that the RHS indicator light does not fit as nicely as the on on the left (it sticks out slightly (3-4mm) where it meets the head lamp unit.

Today i removed the unit and all seems well but when pushing it back in i don't hear the same snap noise i hear as i do with the one on the left hand side which fits nicely, although none of the 3 fastening clips seem broken or bend or damaged i thought perhaps it is just easiest to replace the unit, found the part number 1298261043 on the inside of the unit.

also found this set on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-SL-R1...QQcmdZViewItem

is that any good? hopefully these (at least the RHS one) will solve the not so nice fit

thanks!

Beware of the replica parts, they really don't fit as well as the real ones.

boeken · 28-05-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTB 500

Strangely the RHS front indicator unit on mine is similar

maybe it is a feature

i will get a price from the MB dealer for the part

thanks!

Mark300SL · 29-05-2008, 12:06 AM

My rhf indicator never located with a click either - and one day about 4 years later I lost it going up the A12!

I had original bosch clear units from Ebay originally to replace the stock amber ones,
The replacement was a dealer part (in a hurry as it was both illegal and ugly) the same bosch part number came in an MB box and this time it "clicked" in place nicely

No idea why there was a difference unless the ebay parts were actually counterfeit.

NuisanceValue · 29-05-2008, 01:38 AM

I've bought some of those indicators from the same place. Two things, the near side one fits fine, (this is the one I was after replacing) but they are certainly a clearer lens than the original Bosch (?) ones. Also the bulbs you get with them are a slightly different colours. This coupled with the clearer lens makes for a noticeably different colour flashing. Secondly, I thought I might as well put them both on but as you say the off-side (drivers) one doesn't fit as well and doesn't click. I noticed the rubber gasket around the top and back of the unit is quite a bit thicker and this needs trimming/fettling in order to get it to fit and snap in place.
Also once fitted there is a pronounced bow in the vertical plane of the lens and this creates a gap between the headlamo unit and the indicator unit. Original parts are a much flusher fit. £30 a pair though, a cheap remedy. You gets what you pay for.

Hope this helps.

BTB 500 · 29-05-2008, 08:54 AM

I've always assumed the offside unit on mine was a replacement, I would get a genuine M-B part if it ever fell off

I have M-B chrome indicator bulbs in the front of my R129 btw (and front & rear of the Vito). About £12 a pair, but they look a lot better than orange ones if you have clear lenses.

stats007 · 29-05-2008, 09:13 AM

There are different versions of the Bosch OEM lights as well. Only the old stock were made in Germany.

boeken · 30-05-2008, 03:39 PM

ordered on from MB garage today £47 ex vat, will have it next week and hopefully this one will fit nicely!

BTB 500 · 22-06-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTB 500

I've always assumed the offside unit on mine was a replacement, I would get a genuine M-B part if it ever fell off

So guess what happened on the way to the Midlands GTG today ...

Cruising on the M4 I saw something fly past my window and disintegrate as it hit the road behind

Here's what was rigged up to get me home (picture courtesy of Jaymanek):

MBManInKen · 22-06-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTB 500

Strangely the RHS front indicator unit on mine is similar

Is that because you use BMW bulb holders?

kraftwerk · 06-12-2008, 05:16 PM

I need to replace my R129 front indicators. Had a look today - it's not immediately obvious how to get the old ones out. Any pointers gratefully received.

BTB 500 · 06-12-2008, 05:19 PM

The indicator units unclip (sometimes when you don't want them to

), pretty sure it's in the manual but shout if not.

kraftwerk · 06-12-2008, 05:21 PM

Thanks BTB. Will check the manual tomorrow. Do they just require a bit of a tug, then?

BTB 500 · 06-12-2008, 05:25 PM

No, there's an 'arm' on the back of the indicator unit that latches into a notch in the bodywork. You basically flex this arm/latch sideways a bit, then the whole unit pulls out forwards. Takes a few seconds once you know what do do. When putting it back make absolutely sure the latch clicks home ... for some reason the offside ones sometimes don't, and lots of people have lost the whole thing as I did!

28-05-2008, 08:03 PM	#1
boeken Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire Car: R129 SL500 from 96 Posts: 273	r129 indicator unit hi sorry i am going thru a long list of all very minor issues i have with my r129 and trying to solve them one by one (the missus is away with the kids for a few days so finally have some time to do these jobs) in last few days finally managed to: replace push button on center console arm reset, it had broken off fixed wiper on rhs headlight fix lhs rear mirror by removing outer shell and replacing 2 missing spring/clips still working on inside rear mirror and central nozzle lights! ever since i bought the car i had noticed that the RHS indicator light does not fit as nicely as the on on the left (it sticks out slightly (3-4mm) where it meets the head lamp unit. Today i removed the unit and all seems well but when pushing it back in i don't hear the same snap noise i hear as i do with the one on the left hand side which fits nicely, although none of the 3 fastening clips seem broken or bend or damaged i thought perhaps it is just easiest to replace the unit, found the part number 1298261043 on the inside of the unit. also found this set on ebay, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-SL-R1...QQcmdZViewItem is that any good? hopefully these (at least the RHS one) will solve the not so nice fit thanks!

28-05-2008, 09:53 PM	#2
BTB 500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berks Car: '97 R129 SL500, '07 Vito 120 Dualiner Long, '96 Audi A4 TDi 110 SE Avant Posts: 10,151	Strangely the RHS front indicator unit on mine is similar ... it doesn't locate quite as positively as the LHS one (although it doesn't stick out by 3-4 mm). No guarantee that an aftermarket part from eBay will be any better, why not get a quote from a dealer for a genuine one?

29-05-2008, 12:06 AM	#5
Mark300SL 1962-2010. Gone, but not forgotten. Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,957	My rhf indicator never located with a click either - and one day about 4 years later I lost it going up the A12! I had original bosch clear units from Ebay originally to replace the stock amber ones, The replacement was a dealer part (in a hurry as it was both illegal and ugly) the same bosch part number came in an MB box and this time it "clicked" in place nicely No idea why there was a difference unless the ebay parts were actually counterfeit.

29-05-2008, 01:38 AM	#6
NuisanceValue Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Edinburgh Car: 1996 SL500 Posts: 91	I've bought some of those indicators from the same place. Two things, the near side one fits fine, (this is the one I was after replacing) but they are certainly a clearer lens than the original Bosch (?) ones. Also the bulbs you get with them are a slightly different colours. This coupled with the clearer lens makes for a noticeably different colour flashing. Secondly, I thought I might as well put them both on but as you say the off-side (drivers) one doesn't fit as well and doesn't click. I noticed the rubber gasket around the top and back of the unit is quite a bit thicker and this needs trimming/fettling in order to get it to fit and snap in place. Also once fitted there is a pronounced bow in the vertical plane of the lens and this creates a gap between the headlamo unit and the indicator unit. Original parts are a much flusher fit. £30 a pair though, a cheap remedy. You gets what you pay for. Hope this helps.

29-05-2008, 08:54 AM	#7
BTB 500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berks Car: '97 R129 SL500, '07 Vito 120 Dualiner Long, '96 Audi A4 TDi 110 SE Avant Posts: 10,151	I've always assumed the offside unit on mine was a replacement, I would get a genuine M-B part if it ever fell off I have M-B chrome indicator bulbs in the front of my R129 btw (and front & rear of the Vito). About £12 a pair, but they look a lot better than orange ones if you have clear lenses.

29-05-2008, 09:13 AM	#8
stats007 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hampshire Car: 575M Posts: 6,348	There are different versions of the Bosch OEM lights as well. Only the old stock were made in Germany.

30-05-2008, 03:39 PM	#9
boeken Hardcore MB Enthusiast Threadstarter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Buckinghamshire Car: R129 SL500 from 96 Posts: 273	ordered on from MB garage today £47 ex vat, will have it next week and hopefully this one will fit nicely!

06-12-2008, 05:16 PM	#12
kraftwerk Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London Car: 97 R129 500; 78 Fiat 238 Weinsberg; 74 Fiat 128 Special; 99 Honda X11, 99 Suzuki GSX1300R Posts: 193	I need to replace my R129 front indicators. Had a look today - it's not immediately obvious how to get the old ones out. Any pointers gratefully received.

06-12-2008, 05:19 PM	#13
BTB 500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berks Car: '97 R129 SL500, '07 Vito 120 Dualiner Long, '96 Audi A4 TDi 110 SE Avant Posts: 10,151	The indicator units unclip (sometimes when you don't want them to ), pretty sure it's in the manual but shout if not.

06-12-2008, 05:21 PM	#14
kraftwerk Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: London Car: 97 R129 500; 78 Fiat 238 Weinsberg; 74 Fiat 128 Special; 99 Honda X11, 99 Suzuki GSX1300R Posts: 193	Thanks BTB. Will check the manual tomorrow. Do they just require a bit of a tug, then?

06-12-2008, 05:25 PM	#15
BTB 500 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berks Car: '97 R129 SL500, '07 Vito 120 Dualiner Long, '96 Audi A4 TDi 110 SE Avant Posts: 10,151	No, there's an 'arm' on the back of the indicator unit that latches into a notch in the bodywork. You basically flex this arm/latch sideways a bit, then the whole unit pulls out forwards. Takes a few seconds once you know what do do. When putting it back make absolutely sure the latch clicks home ... for some reason the offside ones sometimes don't, and lots of people have lost the whole thing as I did!

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