Fog and Headlight Failure

[JAM300]

My two fog and Right headlamp went out on the other day but the left Head lamp still works...is this a bulb failure or a wiring issue. Please advise on how to check this out or just replace the the three lights. Thanks a ton.
JAM

83 300D Turbo

[Wes Bender]

The fog lights work only with low beam. You don't indicate if the headlight that doesn't work is high or low beam or both. Unless the car sat unused for a long time, I wouldn't think that three bulbs would be bad simultaneously. More likely a fuse or a ground connection. If you have a VOM, check the continuity though the bulbs and how far through the system you are getting voltage. Should be an easy troubleshoot.

Wes

[JAM300]

The front right low beam and the fogs dont work, High beams on both sides work. I drive almost everyday. I can check the fuse but if thats not the problem, where would I start with checking the ground connection? Where at under the hood. Thanks again

JAM

83 300D Turbo

[E320wagon'94]

My '78 developed the same issue, the right low beam doesn't work, and neither fog lights are working. ???? Both highs still work.

[Wes Bender]

My electrical system troubleshooting manual is at my winter place and I won't be there until 10/16. If you haven't gotten any answers by then, I'll try to help out. Until then, low beam right and the fog lights are on fuse #11 and low beam left is on fuse 13. Check those first.

Wes

[carnut]

Cracked or corroded fuse. Replace the fuse!

[Bill Ladd]

Originally Posted by carnut

Cracked or corroded fuse. Replace the fuse!

Yep. The experienced posters here refer to fuse problems on these cars over and over in the searches I've done. I had all four windows and my passenger side mirror stop working a few weeks ago. Turns out I had a number of fuses out (fuses were good, but the contacts had corroded).

Do yourself a favor -- lots of folks here have been through this and reported on it. Clean all the contacts in the fuse box, use dilectric grease and replace all the fuses. You and your 300d will be much happier!

Bill

[300TD]

I have had a problem where the solder joints at the pins to the headlight have cracked. I pulled the housing out, resoldered the pin connections and they work fine now....my two cents

[Bill Ladd]

Yes, but since fuse number 11 handles the right low beam and both fog lights, he might want to start looking there.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/1272719-fuse-box-diagram.html?highlight=fuse+locations

[greasybenz]

same happen to my dads 78 300D. Checked the fuse box and it was a dead fuse.

[Wes Bender]

JAM300 - Did you check the fuse(s)? Should we try to assist further?

Don't keep us in the dark.

[Mustang_man298]

Originally Posted by Lux

Do yourself a favor -- lots of folks here have been through this and reported on it. Clean all the contacts in the fuse box, use dilectric grease and replace all the fuses. You and your 300d will be much happier!

Bill

Funny you should say that, after losing the turns, dash gauges, and brake lights sunday, I figured it had to be a fuse, too much dead at once, got to wigglin and they worked again, then died again this morning, fuse box & fuses badly corroded, stopped at kragen, grabbed a handful of fuses, got home and pulled all fuses, wire brushed the contacts (battery unhooked first) smeared some dielectric grease on the tabs and the ends of the new fuses and replaced the entire lot, doublechecking at the same time that they were of correct value, found 2 that a P.O. had replaced the 8's with 16's...Cleaned up the old fuses somewhat and stashed a few in the glove box for a rainy day.

Note: After experimentation this morning once @ work, I discovered that in a pinch, one cannot successfully try to flow solder over the contact ends of an old fuse to rejuvenate the connection points, fuse melted,stole radio fuse for brake lights to get to kragen...cant say I didnt try....