Hi all, I wanted to add some extra electrical switches in my W124, and prefer a factory appearance. Thanks to Aaron Lam, I learned there was a wood trim piece used in the long wheelbase (limo) version W124 in Europe. This has extra switch holes for (I assume) the 2 extra windows in the 6-door chassis. I picked up one of these 'limo wood' panels for my 1994 E500, which originally had 1 aftermarket switch added for the BergWerks first gear start (FGS) kit - normal position has stock upshifts, the other position selects a programmable upshift speed for the 1-2 part-throttle upshift.
Anyway, I wanted to replace that funky FGS switch with a factory switch. And, I wanted to add a switch to turn on the stereo without the key in the ignition. (On the E500, this is a big deal, with the key in position 1 the current draw is nearly 20 amps!) I also wanted to add a momentary contact type switch for my Valentine-1. I specifically wanted it set up so that when the key is turned off, and then the car is re-started, the V-1 does NOT turn back on. So, I wired up a relay to act as a 'latching' relay... momentary contact triggers the V-1 power module (and relay), but when the key is turned off, the relay un-latches - requiring a press of the switch to turn it back on. In case you're wondering why, it's because of the irritating 'startup dance' that the V-1 goes through at each power-up. I don't use it all the time, and hate listenting to that screeching every time I forget to turn off a regular rocker switch (which is what I have right now in the diesel.) See links below for photos. The switch in the 'fader' position is actually an ACC recirculation switch, which controls the V-1. When energized, the red LED stays on. I used this switch because it was the only one I found which has normally closed (NC) *and* normally open (NO) contacts, allowing use of only one relay instead of two. Push up/on closes the NO contacts, push down/off breaks the NC contacts. The right side 'child safety' switch is for the FGS speed selection, replacing the goofy round switch on the old wood panel. The next one down is a factory "dual-tone horn" switch, which I have set up to turn the radio on & off without the key. Next to the left (in the center) is a central lock/unlock switch, which is at present not used. To the left of that is a 'trunk release' switch with integrated alarm LED, again, this is not functional. I may work on making those functional in the future, but for now they're just filling the empty spaces. All are wired so the backlight illumination works - no dead/dark switches, lol. Photos: Stock 1994 E500 Burled Walnut console wood: < http://www.w124performance.com/images/cars/94_E500/restoration/limo_wood_before.jpg > New "limo" wood piece: < http://www.w124performance.com/images/cars/94_E500/restoration/limo_wood_after.jpg > Stock & limo wood, side by side: < http://www.w124performance.com/images/cars/94_E500/restoration/limo_wood_both.jpg > Zebrano 'limo' wood, destined for the blue diesel later this winter: <http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_stuff/limo_woods.jpg> Sorry for the lousy photos. I'm still using a 'loaner' 2MP camera from work, about 5 years old (translation - a fossil in digicam years.) I'd like to get a better 'after' photo without the flash glare. I'll get a better one eventually. My old/stock 1994 wood trim panel is for sale, pretty cheap, since I have no use for it. Email me for details. =) Best regards, -- Dave M. Boise, ID 1994 E500 - 95kmi (Q-ship) 1987 300D - 261kmi (Sportline)
