Wiring, a general question

[dmtinker]

I have an 82 300SD which I've had about 2 weeks. I am having a lot of problems with the wiring. I wanted to know if this is generally the case. The shop has had to rewire the drivers seat due to cracked/bad wiring at the door jam. I was not happy with the job and brought it back. Some of the splices showed copper and the put in no weather protection on the wires.

I've also had problems with the dash lights and the right side marker lights. Are the Mercedes of this era notorious for bad wiring?

[sixto]

No.

Sixto

[pparish]

The wiring in old cars can get corroded and the insulation can crack and shrink.

When I connect two wires I use but connectors. If it is a hight current connection or suject to corrosion I solder the connector. I use heat shrinkk or good electrical tape.

The wire conections that you mention should be clean tight and covered with good black electrical tape (recommend Skotch or 3M).

As for the lights check the light ssckets for corrosion.

[dmtinker]

Originally Posted by pparish

The wiring in old cars can get corroded and the insulation can crack and shrink.

When I connect two wires I use but connectors. If it is a hight current connection or suject to corrosion I solder the connector. I use heat shrinkk or good electrical tape.

The wire conections that you mention should be clean tight and covered with good black electrical tape (recommend Skotch or 3M).

As for the lights check the light ssckets for corrosion.

They used butt connectors but did not cover them. Also, they miss stripped the wire and had copper showing through. I was irritated as you can imagine.

[t walgamuth]

i can.

the wiring in old benzes generaally is pretty good and usually not the source of problems, but it all wears out eventually, i suppose.

tom w

[Hatterasguy]

Nope, can't say I have either had a wireing related electrical problem with any of my MB's.

The SD has a short in the right front headlight that used to blow a fuse. The wiring that has been kept out of the weather like under the dash or in the doors still looks like new.

[SD Blue]

Originally Posted by dmtinker

They used butt connectors but did not cover them. Also, they miss stripped the wire and had copper showing through. I was irritated as you can imagine.

Butt connectors? I would expect many intermittent problems, in the future, when corrosion sets in. From dealing with boat wiring, I have learned solder connections are the only way to go with any exposure to weather.

[Hatterasguy]

Solder can corrode, and fail. Heat shrink all wire connections. Yes when I wired my radio in I did heat shrink wrap all the connections.