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  #1  
Old 10-26-2004, 09:16 AM
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95e300d oil, coolant, temp light gremlin

95 e300d 138k. New engine wiring harness in Jul. 03. Couple of months ago, outside temp guage started working intermittantly. It sometimes comes on very dimly. Last week, after driving a couple of miles, oil level lamp lit for 30 seconds. Almost gave me a heart attack. I monitor/change my oil religiously with Mobil 1 15/50 every 4k. After letting the car sit for 20 min or so, I checked and found oil level was fine. Big relief. That was last week. Yesterday, the coolant light came on intermittantly (outside temp guage still acting up). The coolant light was very, very dim, but still illuminated. Coolant level and engine temp guage operating normally. Today, coolant light on and off dimly for first 20 miles, then on steady at the end of my trip. Would a bad relay cause this? I'm sort of confused as to why the lights would appear dim. I thought they would be either on or off.?

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Old 10-26-2004, 11:08 AM
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Sounds more like a bad ground somewhere, probably the terminal behind the instrument cluster. Pull out the instrument cluster, and you will see its ground terminal. Check, clean, and re-tighten.

How much did it cost you to repair the wiring harness, in both parts and labour? Who did the repair? (I presume you are referring only to the Engine Wiring Harness).

What were the symptoms that you had prior to changing the Harness.


Phil
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Last edited by pberku; 10-26-2004 at 11:16 AM.
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Old 10-26-2004, 11:54 AM
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Thumbs up ALternator

As I just posted on another thread a bad battery or low output alternator can also cause mysterious warning lamps to come on. Her battery died and after I jumped it off the ABS light came on. Replaced battery, no ABS light.
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Old 10-26-2004, 11:56 AM
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gremlins

Thanks for the suggestion on the grounding. For me, pulling the instrument cluster equates to pulling the crankshaft. If I drop it off at indy and suggest the problem is a bad ground, I'll sound halfway intelligent. If I try it myself, I'll look like a doof bringing it in with the dashboard in the trunk and a handfull of screws.

Wiring harness symptoms were glow plug light staying on or intermittantly. Engine wiring harness showed frayed wiring, cracks and general deterioration. Was about 115k on the car at the time. I don't remember exactly, but it cost about $1k to have it done. Most of the cost was the part. I'm mechanically inclined, but don't have anytime for car repairs. I barely have time for things I enjoy doing.
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Old 10-26-2004, 12:21 PM
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With the right tool, pulling out the Instrument Cluster, is an easy 5-Min job. Theoretically, you are supposed to disconnect the Speedometer cable prior to pulling out the Instrument cluster. This may add another 10-15 Min. to the Job. I have not seen my mechanic ever do that however. He is always very careful.

In your case, it sounds like you are making the right choice by bringing it to the mechanic, and letting him do the work.

Keep us posted of the results.


Good Luck

Phil
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  #6  
Old 10-26-2004, 12:32 PM
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The coolant light is almost certainly a bad coolant level sensor - I've had this problem with almost every W124 I've owned.

The level sensor begins to leak and the contact pins are semi-shorted due to the resistance of the coolant that has leaked into the connector. This results in a "dim" light - you can verify this is really the problem by pulling the connector on the level sensor and drying the contacts on the connector - the light should go out.

There have been discussions about oil-level warning lights - most of the time the problem is related to the level sensor in the oil pan.

Not sure about the outside temp indicator.
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Old 10-26-2004, 01:30 PM
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Right on

Just got off the phone with my indy. He also suggested the coolant level sensor and/or the oil level sensor. He thought it could be a bad ground but he put his money on the sensor(s). He said he's replaced lots of sensors. Good suggestion on the battery/alternator Tomm. I'll check the headlamp beams against my garage door tonight to see if engine rpm have any affect.

This forum is awsome. Great job. Thanks.

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