I'm new to this site, which I'm real glad I found. Having lost the brake lights on my '85 760GLE, I messed with the circuit diagrams a bit before coming here, and now after looking around I can see that in all probability that I have a defective bulb out relay. In preparation for the installation of another one, I took out the piece of plastic that has the bun warmer switches in it, removed the ashtray and other piece of plastic, and unhooked the fuse block / relay block from its anchor. But it still won't come out. I assume I have to (at least) take out that metal cross piece that is preventing me from sliding out the fuse block. In the Haynes manual, it shows that this piece can be lifted up after loosening the bolts on the back, but the picture was also part of a whole series of instructions concerning removing the side panels, etc. and I kind of think that those bolts might be accessed after removing the side panels.

So my questions are: 1) Can I get that little brace out by getting around the back of the brace to the heads of the bolts that are there, so that I can push the brace up and out; and 2) If I *can* get the brace out, will I then be able to pull out the fuse/relay block far enough to get at the relay tray? Or is this a bigger job, involving the removal of the side panels?

And lastly, just as a bit of whining....in every other car I've ever worked on the relays are on a block under the hood, with a nice little cover over them. Replacements are a snap. Leave it to the Swedes to put the damn things in the middle of the console.

Anyway, tia for any advice.

Hal