W211 Dashboard drawer

[3 phase]

I'm looking after a neighbours 2005 W211 E320CDI whilst they are back in the UK. He's asked me to look at whether there is a solution to the drawer above the ashtray which should open with the chrome strip under the hazard switch but it won't and all you can hear is the sound of a small motor continually whirring behind. The only way to open the drawer is to open the ashtray and manually pull on the underside of the drawer gently, then it slides open, but when you shut it, it whirrs away again. I'm a little reluctant to go too far as it all feels a bit flimsy. Anyone had anything similar?

 

[corned]

This is the CD changer cover.

It sounds like the actuating arms on each side have broken. When you hear the whirring noise, the cover should pull slightly forward and then up, to reveal the changer. Looks a bit like someone raising a bulldozer shovel! The motor is obviously still working, but not moving the arms.

A dismantling job awaits, unfortunately, by the sounds of it...

 

[Diesel Benz]

This is the CD changer cover.

Unless the car does not have any CD changed in which case it is a drawer cover. Does not make the fault or repair much different though.

 

[3 phase]

No it's not the cd changer there's just a single slot in the head unit, it's just a storage drawer from what I can see. I'll leave it to someone else me thinks. Thanks anyway.

Ade