Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
I tried this only to discover that many "mylar" balloons are actually silvered nylon which doesn't work as well as aluminum foil... -Curt Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:17:21 -0600 From: Russ Williams To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins Message-ID: <4ecf24e1.4040...@eatel.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed On 11/24/2011 6:53 PM, Dieselhead wrote: > Some year I need to solder a hot wire to the left light terminal on > the 81 240D. I think it has been out the whole time i've had the > car. Sounds like I should try stuffing in some alum foil at that > time. Can someone elaborate on this? Is it "just roll up a 1" x 1 > 1/4" square of foil and put it in the hole, then stuff the bulb in" or > is there some complex procedure? On the top of the cluster you will see two channels with covers over them. Carefully Remove the covers using a small flat bladed screwdriver. This will expose the light pipes. You can use Alum Foil or better yet a strip from a Mylar Balloon, I've done both of my 240's one each way. The Mylar works better. Use a drop of Super Glue on each end to secure the mylar or foil to the light pipe. Then use hot glue to secure the covers and change out the bulbs while you are in there. One of the 240's the bulbs were black. Makes a world of difference. SWMBO Stopped complaining she couldn'r read the gauges at night after the mod. Her car got the foil mine got the mylar a few months later. She noticed the difference between the two mods. Mylar baloons can be acquired at Dollar Tree for a buck and you don't have to have the filled. Doesn't what printing the balloon has on it the inside is a shiny silver. If you use foil remember to put the shiny side against the pipe. Russ W. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
SWEET! I think I'm going to have some time Tuesday, this has been annoying me for a year now... -Curt Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:24:42 -0800 From: Jim Cathey To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins Message-ID: <658f986f-171d-11e1-9b66-000502d9a...@windwireless.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed > So I need to take it back out, mark the position measure the distance > of 5mph, mark that off lower than the mark where the speedo rests > (after being lifted over the stop peg) and reset the needle there. It's easier than that. If you look at the outside of the face, beyond the bezel (when it's out) you'll find a paint mark on it. That's where the needle is put on, then you lift it over the peg. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Craig and Russ: thanks! Mylar is a good idea! ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
On 11/24/2011 6:53 PM, Dieselhead wrote: Some year I need to solder a hot wire to the left light terminal on the 81 240D. I think it has been out the whole time i've had the car. Sounds like I should try stuffing in some alum foil at that time. Can someone elaborate on this? Is it "just roll up a 1" x 1 1/4" square of foil and put it in the hole, then stuff the bulb in" or is there some complex procedure? On the top of the cluster you will see two channels with covers over them. Carefully Remove the covers using a small flat bladed screwdriver. This will expose the light pipes. You can use Alum Foil or better yet a strip from a Mylar Balloon, I've done both of my 240's one each way. The Mylar works better. Use a drop of Super Glue on each end to secure the mylar or foil to the light pipe. Then use hot glue to secure the covers and change out the bulbs while you are in there. One of the 240's the bulbs were black. Makes a world of difference. SWMBO Stopped complaining she couldn'r read the gauges at night after the mod. Her car got the foil mine got the mylar a few months later. She noticed the difference between the two mods. Mylar baloons can be acquired at Dollar Tree for a buck and you don't have to have the filled. Doesn't what printing the balloon has on it the inside is a shiny silver. If you use foil remember to put the shiny side against the pipe. Russ W. I have never noticed "light pipes" in the 123 cluster, but it has been 10+ years since I had one out. The 124 and 126 use fiber optics to move light around. On 110 and 111, I have turned the light down sometimes, but they were always well lit. The 123 is barely lit enough at best. With one light out, you can barely read the speedo, and you have to pull out a flashlight to read the fuel gauge. On 124 and 126, I leave the light turned up, but always is adequate. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
So I need to take it back out, mark the position measure the distance of 5mph, mark that off lower than the mark where the speedo rests (after being lifted over the stop peg) and reset the needle there. It's easier than that. If you look at the outside of the face, beyond the bezel (when it's out) you'll find a paint mark on it. That's where the needle is put on, then you lift it over the peg. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
While you're at it you can make the box around the light solid again in the case where some fool has used the hotter bulbs and melted some of the plastic. Somebody musta done something it on my '78 240D as the box was melted just like on my '83. A big hint its been done is if the light leaks over into the turn signal indicator. -Curt Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:23:35 -0800 From: Jim Cathey To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins Message-ID: <18446a8c-1704-11e1-9b66-000502d9a...@windwireless.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed > Can someone elaborate on this? Is it "just roll up a 1" x 1 1/4" > square of foil and put it in the hole, then stuff the bulb in" You remove the back part so you can get access, and make a square collar that fits in the hole and yet doesn't get into the wiring. There are plastic covers on the light pipes, you pop those off and wrap the light pipe in aluminum foil, then re-secure the assembly. It's fairly obvious once you're in there. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Jim Cathey writes: > There are plastic covers on the light pipes, you pop those off > and wrap the light pipe in aluminum foil, then re-secure the > assembly. What about painting with silver/metallic paint? Anyone tried that? Allan -- 1983 300D 1979 300SD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
I had the speedo out last year to fix the odo (slipping gear, fixed with a drop of glue) and forgot to mark the position of the speedo needle when I took it off. Now it reads 5mph high at all speeds (MB speedos are pretty accurate). So I need to take it back out, mark the position measure the distance of 5mph, mark that off lower than the mark where the speedo rests (after being lifted over the stop peg) and reset the needle there. I'm lucky its exactly 5mph... It could be somebody "fixed" yours in the past and did the same thing. The odo is actually pretty easy to fix, just lots of little gears to get back into place depending on how much you take it apart. Remember to clean 'em while you're there. Its also good practice to note the exact mileage when you take it apart so you can get it back together the same. In my case I actually rolled on about 20k to account for Dwight driving the car for a couple years with a busted odo. -Curt Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:46:06 -0500 From: Michael Canfield To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 On Nov 23, 2011 2:12 PM, "Curt Raymond" wrote: > > Actually I think the best thing that came out of that whole discussion was Jim's post about clipping posts. > I think you are right. I learned to try to trim my posts more. .. They were expensive, and should have a long life so I intend to move them to the other car which will also give me an excuse to fix the speedo needle which is 5mph too slow. Is there an adjustment for that or what? Mine is off as well. Odometer doesn't work either, is there a fix for that too or just deal with it? Mike ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
WooHoo! what a deal!! With this operation, and both lamps working, you can even read both odometers. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
The 123 is barely lit enough at best. With one light out, you can barely read the speedo, and you have to pull out a flashlight to read the fuel gauge. With this operation, and both lamps working, you can even read both odometers. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Can someone elaborate on this? Is it "just roll up a 1" x 1 1/4" square of foil and put it in the hole, then stuff the bulb in" You remove the back part so you can get access, and make a square collar that fits in the hole and yet doesn't get into the wiring. There are plastic covers on the light pipes, you pop those off and wrap the light pipe in aluminum foil, then re-secure the assembly. It's fairly obvious once you're in there. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Some year I need to solder a hot wire to the left light terminal on the 81 240D. I think it has been out the whole time i've had the car. Sounds like I should try stuffing in some alum foil at that time. Can someone elaborate on this? Is it "just roll up a 1" x 1 1/4" square of foil and put it in the hole, then stuff the bulb in" or is there some complex procedure? I have never noticed "light pipes" in the 123 cluster, but it has been 10+ years since I had one out. The 124 and 126 use fiber optics to move light around. On 110 and 111, I have turned the light down sometimes, but they were always well lit. The 123 is barely lit enough at best. With one light out, you can barely read the speedo, and you have to pull out a flashlight to read the fuel gauge. On 124 and 126, I leave the light turned up, but always is adequate. Re: lined the light chamber and the light pipes with aluminum foil, now it gets adequately bright I did the same in both my '84 300D & '85 300TD and it makes a world of difference. G. M. Brown Brevard, NC ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
On Nov 23, 2011 2:12 PM, "Curt Raymond" wrote: > > Actually I think the best thing that came out of that whole discussion was Jim's post about clipping posts. > I think you are right. I learned to try to trim my posts more. .. They were expensive, and should have a long life so I intend to move them to the other car which will also give me an excuse to fix the speedo needle which is 5mph too slow. Is there an adjustment for that or what? Mine is off as well. Odometer doesn't work either, is there a fix for that too or just deal with it? Mike ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Allan Streib wrote: >The dash lights on my 300SD are significantly brighter than on my 300D. >Maybe a PO installed overwattage bulbs?? > That would be a bad thing, higher bulb temperature will melt the plastic optics. -- Max Dillon Charleston SC '95 E300, '87 300TD ___ ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Re: lined the light chamber and the light pipes with aluminum foil, now it gets adequately bright I did the same in both my '84 300D & '85 300TD and it makes a world of difference. G. M. Brown Brevard, NC ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Roger that! I bought the xenon bulbs on eBay and they melted the light pipes... Not worth it. I can't find the link to the site I bought the LEDs from, they were 2x the cost of the xenon bulbs which were 2x the cost of regular bulbs from Q but they seem to be worth it. -Curt Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:41:45 -0800 From: Jim Cathey To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed > The dash lights on my 300SD are significantly brighter than on my 300D. > Maybe a PO installed overwattage bulbs?? IIRC the 116 and 107 share a dash pod. The lighting is direct in them, whereas in the 123 there are plastic light pipes from bulbs in the back. If you screw up and put in overwattage bulbs on a 123 you will melt the light pipe ends, and the lighting will go _down_! Either change to some kind of ultra-bright LED's to fill the pipes, or line things with shiny aluminum foil. (The latter is fairly easy, and cheap, and doesn't give a blue cast to the dash lighting.) -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
The 116 as you know has a whole different dash system than the 123. I've always thought the dash lights in the 116 were superior. -Curt Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:46:46 -0500 From: Allan Streib To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Jim Cathey writes: > Most find 123 lighting too dim anyway, but I don't know about 116. The dash lights on my 300SD are significantly brighter than on my 300D. Maybe a PO installed overwattage bulbs?? Allan -- 1983 300D 1979 300SD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
The dash lights on my 300SD are significantly brighter than on my 300D. Maybe a PO installed overwattage bulbs?? IIRC the 116 and 107 share a dash pod. The lighting is direct in them, whereas in the 123 there are plastic light pipes from bulbs in the back. If you screw up and put in overwattage bulbs on a 123 you will melt the light pipe ends, and the lighting will go _down_! Either change to some kind of ultra-bright LED's to fill the pipes, or line things with shiny aluminum foil. (The latter is fairly easy, and cheap, and doesn't give a blue cast to the dash lighting.) -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Jim Cathey writes: > I think the 116 has the system that the passenger door will not light > the driver's side light. Mine just has one front light, in the center by the mirror. Allan -- 1983 300D 1979 300SD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Jim Cathey writes: > Most find 123 lighting too dim anyway, but I don't know about 116. The dash lights on my 300SD are significantly brighter than on my 300D. Maybe a PO installed overwattage bulbs?? Allan -- 1983 300D 1979 300SD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
a) The "reserve" indicator on the fuel gauge glows dimly at all times. b) door open, brakes cause warning buzzer to sound... Bad ground. c) Opening the front doors does not light the front interior light, though the light works using its switch. Might be ground, could be bad door switches. There's a diode in the warning module that can be blown, if one door works the lights and the other does not. I think the 116 has the system that the passenger door will not light the driver's side light. (That's the diode at work.) d) Dash illumination works [intermittently] The rheostat gets deformed, and very dirty. Not sure deoxit will be of use there, often there's a mechanical problem with the coiled resistance wire in its porcelain track. New or good used is your best bet there. Most find 123 lighting too dim anyway, but I don't know about 116. I cleaned my 123 cluster, and lined the light chamber and the light pipes with aluminum foil, now it gets adequately bright. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Anyway, the brightness on mine is fine. I was actually trying to dim them a bit (I like the dash to be as dim as possible while still readable), and as soon as I turned the adjuster they blacked out. Allan Q can get you a new rheostat if you really have a need to dim. I don't know if a 116 is that much different form a 123. There is so much light pollution, that generally the 123 cluster is too dim, not too bright. So I just solder a jumper to bypass the flakey rheostat. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
> > Randy Bennell wrote: > > > > In any event, is it not sort of the standard fix now to > > install some led's in place of the bulbs in the instrument > > panel to brighten it up? I have yet to do it but that was my > > ultimate plan. > Allan Streib wrote: > > I tried this on my Vanagon. The LEDs are very directional > they actually don't do well in this application. LEDs are not inherently very directional. However, the package quite often is a lens to focus the light. One trick is to flatten the rounded end of the LED. This works if it's a T 1-3/4 package _and_ the junction is deep enough that filing of the top doesn't disturb the internals. I have done this on a number of different occasions. -- Philip ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Actually I think the best thing that came out of that whole discussion was Jim's post about clipping posts. I put LEDs in the dash of my '83 240D which was chronically under-bright. It helped some but I'm not sure the cost was worth it. That dash pod did have a broken light pipe which assuredly wasn't helping anything. My '78 240D doesn't have a broken light pipe and does have the rheostat jumpered and while the dash lights aren't anything to write home about they're adequate. Which reminds me that before my '83 meets its fate at the crusher I need to get the dash pod and the LED bulbs out... They were expensive, and should have a long life so I intend to move them to the other car which will also give me an excuse to fix the speedo needle which is 5mph too slow. -Curt Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:39:05 -0600 From: Randy Bennell To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins Message-ID: <4ecd2fb9.4010...@bennell.ca> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Here we go with the top vs bottom reply again. In any event, is it not sort of the standard fix now to install some led's in place of the bulbs in the instrument panel to brighten it up? I have yet to do it but that was my ultimate plan. Randy ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
On Wednesday, November 23, 2011 11:39 AM, "Randy Bennell" wrote: > In any event, is it not sort of the standard fix now to install some > led's in place of the bulbs in the instrument panel to brighten it up? > I have yet to do it but that was my ultimate plan. I tried this on my Vanagon. The LEDs are very directional they actually don't do well in this application. Anyway, the brightness on mine is fine. I was actually trying to dim them a bit (I like the dash to be as dim as possible while still readable), and as soon as I turned the adjuster they blacked out. Allan ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
On Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:39:05 -0600 Randy Bennell wrote: > Here we go with the top vs bottom reply again. > > In any event, is it not sort of the standard fix now to install some > led's in place of the bulbs in the instrument panel to brighten it up? > I have yet to do it but that was my ultimate plan. When I was converting our '82 240D into a 240D/3.0, I lined the bulb boxes and light guides in the instrument cluster with aluminum foil. With standard bulbs (the LEDs available then weren't up to the job) the cluster illimination is good. Craig ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
Here we go with the top vs bottom reply again. In any event, is it not sort of the standard fix now to install some led's in place of the bulbs in the instrument panel to brighten it up? I have yet to do it but that was my ultimate plan. Randy On 23/11/2011 10:46 AM, Craig wrote: On Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:26:55 -0500 "Allan Streib" wrote: A couple of odd behaviors have been noticed, a) The "reserve" indicator on the fuel gauge glows dimly at all times. b) When the door is open, stepping on the brakes cause the warning buzzer to sound. Activating the turn signals causes the buzzer to sound in time with the signal flashing. Neither happens when the door is closed. c) Opening the front doors does not light the front interior light, though the light works using its switch. d) Dash illumination works, but trying to adjust the brightness causes it to go dark. Fiddling with the brightness control I can get it to light up again. I'm thinking a) and b) are signs of bad grounds. Maybe c) as well. Yes. d) sounds like dirty rheostat, is this something that can be cleaned e.g. with DeOxIt? It's worth a try while you have the instrument cluster out to fix the grounds. I recall reading that people with W123s typically put a jumper wire across the rheostat. Craig ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
On Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:26:55 -0500 "Allan Streib" wrote: > A couple of odd behaviors have been noticed, > > a) The "reserve" indicator on the fuel gauge glows dimly at all times. > > b) When the door is open, stepping on the brakes cause the warning >buzzer to sound. Activating the turn signals causes the buzzer to >sound in time with the signal flashing. Neither happens when the >door is closed. > > c) Opening the front doors does not light the front interior light, >though the light works using its switch. > > d) Dash illumination works, but trying to adjust the brightness causes >it to go dark. Fiddling with the brightness control I can get it to >light up again. > > I'm thinking a) and b) are signs of bad grounds. Maybe c) as well. Yes. > d) sounds like dirty rheostat, is this something that can be cleaned > e.g. with DeOxIt? It's worth a try while you have the instrument cluster out to fix the grounds. I recall reading that people with W123s typically put a jumper wire across the rheostat. Craig ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] W116 electrical gremlins
A couple of odd behaviors have been noticed, a) The "reserve" indicator on the fuel gauge glows dimly at all times. b) When the door is open, stepping on the brakes cause the warning buzzer to sound. Activating the turn signals causes the buzzer to sound in time with the signal flashing. Neither happens when the door is closed. c) Opening the front doors does not light the front interior light, though the light works using its switch. d) Dash illumination works, but trying to adjust the brightness causes it to go dark. Fiddling with the brightness control I can get it to light up again. I'm thinking a) and b) are signs of bad grounds. Maybe c) as well. d) sounds like dirty rheostat, is this something that can be cleaned e.g. with DeOxIt? Allan -- 1983 300D 1979 300SD ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
