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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: 90077merc on 13 September 2021, 06:16 PM

Title: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: 90077merc on 13 September 2021, 06:16 PM
Is the small left foot pedal on the 116s for the windshield washer? If so why did they mount it there? Seems like that should be the headlight high beam switch..
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: 90077merc on 14 September 2021, 04:26 AM
Sorry I should have searched the forums first. It is the washer. But I do wonder why it was placed in such a high-priority, hands-free location. I'm imagining traveling at high speeds on the autobahn with sprinkles of rain common it would be very handy.
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: ptashek on 14 September 2021, 10:02 AM
Foot pedal for windshield washer in a W116? I'm intrigued.
Never heard of such contraption in a W116.

Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: 90077merc on 14 September 2021, 03:33 PM
It's in the forums.
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: rumb on 14 September 2021, 06:07 PM
https://forum.w116.org/test-drive/windshield-washer/msg85006/#msg85006
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: ekipe on 14 September 2021, 06:09 PM
Yes, it is actuated by a footswitch. When I first bought the car I thought that was wrong, but it was really made this way. For another hand, I've seen some old cars that the windshield washer was controlled by feet, but it was some kind of rubber pump you should step on to make pressure.
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: ptashek on 14 September 2021, 06:16 PM
Wow, never knew that was a thing. Was it just early cars, or certain markets?
On my 1979 euro it's all in the single steering column stalk.
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: ekipe on 14 September 2021, 06:39 PM
Mine is a 1975 450SEL 4.5 European Spec.
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: UTn_boy on 15 September 2021, 02:36 AM
Your headlight high beam switch, also known as the "optical horn" (think about that before you ask about it),  is in the same place it has been on all Mercedes since 1966......on the steering column. 

Each individual model had it's own VIN break, but this floor mounted washer switch was pretty much used up until the end of 1975.  It's not a market thing.  It's simply a matter of an early car eccentricity.  The idea was carried over from the W108 and W109 cars, but the W116 set up was much better because unlike the W108 and W109 there is no rubber bladder behind the switch to rupture and leak washer fluid into the floor of the car.

For the European version 450se/450sel, this early switch was used up until chassis number 043630, Except for chassis numbers 043487, 043490, 043502, 043526, 043546,  043550,  043555,  043557,  043559-043563,  043567,  043568,  043572-043577, and 043579-043628.

If you wish to research the part yourself, then you'll find it in EPC under group 82, frame 2, callout number 81.  Part number 108-821-07-51.

What is really odd is that even though this part has a "108" part number, it was never installed in any W108 or W109 cars. 

Picture attached for reference. 
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: mrkozzy on 16 September 2021, 04:38 AM
Trying to read between the lines,  Mine being the last of the D-Jet, (1975 year) is it possible it was deleted on the K-Jet that came after?

My 1975 "downunder" Euro spec has it and its a fantastic gizmo.
For those that haven't got it............
Once you depress the pedal, water squirts out it automatically for as long as you keep your foot on the pedal.
At the same time it activates a cycle of the wipers.  (4 times minimum)
Keep the pressure on the pedal and it will keep squirting water and cycling the wipers.
Once you take the pressure off the pedal, the water stops 1st then the wipers will continue for a cycle of 4 before stopping automatically.

My indicator/combination wiper stalk has "push" to activate the wipers in normal speed, with a small slide on the side for intermittent (up) and fast (down).
Push again and it deactivates.

Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: ptashek on 16 September 2021, 07:28 AM
Quote from: mrkozzy on 16 September 2021, 04:38 AM
Trying to read between the lines,  Mine being the last of the D-Jet, (1975 year) is it possible it was deleted on the K-Jet that came after?

My 1975 "downunder" Euro spec has it and its a fantastic gizmo.
For those that haven't got it............
Once you depress the pedal, water squirts out it automatically for as long as you keep your foot on the pedal.
At the same time it activates a cycle of the wipers.  (4 times minimum)
Keep the pressure on the pedal and it will keep squirting water and cycling the wipers.
Once you take the pressure off the pedal, the water stops 1st then the wipers will continue for a cycle of 4 before stopping automatically.

My indicator/combination wiper stalk has "push" to activate the wipers in normal speed, with a small slide on the side for intermittent (up) and fast (down).
Push again and it deactivates.

A lot of changes were done for the '76 MY it seems. I wonder if there's a comprehensive list at Daimler somewhere.

The function you describe was moved to the stalk, and works the exact same way.
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: floyd111 on 20 September 2021, 12:28 AM
so... if you have this button on the floor, I presume you need a special stalk that does NOT have that function built in? Do you have that part number for me, Aaron?
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: UTn_boy on 20 September 2021, 09:33 PM
Yes.  If you have the windshield washer button on the floor the turn signal stalk has to be the kind without that function built in.  However, there were two different early ones used, and each model had it's own VIN break.  In order to give you the part number you need, I need the VIN of which ever car you have in mind. 

It also depends on if you have a right hand drive car or a left hand drive car.  Those, too, are different. 
Title: Re: Windshield Washer Foot Pedal
Post by: Pete49 on 20 September 2021, 10:38 PM
Sorry for the delayed reply. My 450 SEL D-jet (March '75 English import) has the foot pedal as well and just the wipers and high beam on the column stalk. I believe it went onto the column control from the 76 models onward from what I have found.
Pete