I was getting to know my '81 300TD this weekend and I found some wires dangling by the left front wheel. I'm guessing the wires were connected to the brake life sensor at one point and the PO disconnected them because they were tired of seeing the brake lining warning light?

What were these wires connected to?

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That does look like the wire to the brake pad sensor. The sensor is directly on the brake pads, and it looks like this:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1CQ0J3JZ41W71F6MWU&year=1981&make=MB&model=300-TDT-001&category=All&part=Brake+Pad+Sensor

There is no check engine light on your car, BTW.

You would be right, that chopped off cable once led to the brake pad sensors. You'd need the whole new cable section to restore it to life again, I believe that its sold on fastlane and its not very expensive.

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I know ... That was a reference to the radio show "Car Talk".

Besides, the professional way would be to remove the bulb rather than tape over the light.

Ya I ditched mine 2. I think I know when my brakes need replacing thanks MB for the offer!

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42