They function when I turn the key to II (i.e. glow plugs heating up, etc...). When I start the car, move to III, and the key returns to II I have no ACC unless I jiggle the key or flick it.

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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

When the problem manifests itself, leave the switch alone (in position II) and check fuses 5,6,7,and 8 for 12V. If they have no voltage, the switch is the culprit.

However, these fuses also control the rear defogger, outside temp display, cruise control, anti-lock brakes, and a slew of other functions...........so..........none of them should be operating if the switch fails to make contact.

Fuse 5 is specifically for the climate control, stop lamps, backup lamps and aux. fan.

Will do, I'll take the multimeter with me. Were leaving here in a few minutes but I should have some down time to check things out.

__________________
-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

Perhaps but the jiggling in position II still points heavy to the switch

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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
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84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

Oh yeah, it's the switch. I'll change it out one of these days. Now that I know it's the culprit I can move it just so and get ACC.

__________________
-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

Hey man, I've been reading your thread and it is so similar to the headache I am dealing with that I just want to hear the end of the story. My ACC does not allow the blower to function...so I hard wired it to the cig lighter. All vents work with the buttons so I can defrost and such. I also have like 5 other electrical gremlins which MAY be cured by replacing the electrical part of the ignition switch...but I'm scared to tackle that one as it seems right difficult. Plus I should probably do the tumbler piece as well...but frankly, the way it interlocks with the steering wheel spooks me to death....and I'm not so young that twisting upside-down under the dash is such a good idea anymore...ugh. I hope you bite the bullet before I do...let us know how the waters are...EJ

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1983 300SD... 269,000 miles, nearly 2,500 on my B-100, Faded Grey, Ugly in an elegant sort of way...Duh-Benz


If any of this has been a blasphemy to you, then good, because it's been a blast for me to...A.Whitney Brown

Well, EJ, I think eventually I'm going to have to bite the bullet and change out the electric part of the ignition. My SDL may be a little different than your SD, but I'm with you and not looking forward to it (Brian Carlton has both the SD and SDL and may have some more info on the changout for that model). I did replace the lock tumbler because it wasn't too difficult and I figure that if the electronic portion is wearing out the tumblers won't be far behind and I didn't want to be stranded. I was already getting a sticky feeling when I pulled the key sometimes. I'm gonna wait though, until the temperature here dips below 100F on a regular basis before I change that part out - probably around September or so.

Change out that key cylinder, I have a friend with same car as you. A few months ago he was having it towed home because his key was stuck and would'nt turn on. He said it was a pretty big job to fix it after the key got stuck. That cylinder is pretty pricy though (~100$) - get the one that matches your VIN.

Best of luck to you.

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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

Thanks for the advice Peragro, I'll invest in the lock cylinder, and use the VIN, and do them both at the same time...sometime. Maybe I can limp along until October and learn from your experience. Better ye then me eh? Thanks and good luck man.

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1983 300SD... 269,000 miles, nearly 2,500 on my B-100, Faded Grey, Ugly in an elegant sort of way...Duh-Benz


If any of this has been a blasphemy to you, then good, because it's been a blast for me to...A.Whitney Brown

FWIW, my 300D had the same problem (need to more the key around to get the ACC to work). I had it in the shop and asked them, they told me it only needed the electrical portion of the switch (less than $30):

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41UX0C3OFD&year=1982&make=MB&model=300-DT-001&category=All&part=Ignition+Switch

Yep, the electrical switch doesn't seem to be too expensive. Rumor has it that it's a lot of work to change out. Conversly, the key tumbler is pricey but relativly easy to change out.

__________________
-livin' in the terminally flippant zone