Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-30-2006, 09:29 PM
Scott98's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Weston, FL
Posts: 1,254
Gauges and signal lights jumping and blinking during acceleration

My temp gauge and fuel gauge needles bounce all over the place as I accelerate and the rpms begin to rise - not really at lower rpms but at higher rpms. Also, the turn signal lights in my instrument cluster both light up at the same time as I accelerate. I assumed it was a bad ground and cleaned the ground with some sand paper but I don't think it really made a difference. I'm thinking now that maybe some of the solder joints on the gauges are bad. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-30-2006, 09:44 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: West of Ft. Worth. TX
Posts: 4,186
Which ground did you clean?

Don't forget the main ones: Batt-Chassis and Chassis-engine. Also, check for corrosion at the alternator terminal and apply a little silicone dielectric grease to the alternator connector.
__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-30-2006, 09:56 PM
Scott98's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Weston, FL
Posts: 1,254
Quote:
Originally Posted by SD Blue View Post
Don't forget the main ones: Batt-Chassis and Chassis-engine. Also, check for corrosion at the alternator terminal and apply a little silicone dielectric grease to the alternator connector.
According to the electrical diagram, all the gauges on the instrument cluster are grounded just behind the cluster on the metal that supports the steering column. I didn't do anything to the other grounds you mentioned. Maybe I ought to do that too but I figured the actual ground for the gauges would be the way to go.

Scott
__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-01-2006, 09:31 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: West of Ft. Worth. TX
Posts: 4,186
Think parallel circuit..........

Actually, the power source (alternator) grounding (eng-chassis strap) is even more critical.

(I've had the same problems myself and found the engine-chassis ground strap loose. This also resulted, eventually, in intermittent starting problems.)
__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-01-2006, 11:45 AM
Stevo's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NW WA
Posts: 6,299
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott98 View Post
According to the electrical diagram, all the gauges on the instrument cluster are grounded just behind the cluster on the metal that supports the steering column.

Scott
When you pull the instrument cluster you'll see the two grounding bolts. Another member suggested a temporary ground to the back of the cluster to verify the problem. You can also change out any dash bulbs light that may be out while your in there.
__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-10-2006, 06:20 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Portsmouth, Va
Posts: 190
Instrument cluster troubles

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevo View Post
When you pull the instrument cluster you'll see the two grounding bolts. Another member suggested a temporary ground to the back of the cluster to verify the problem. You can also change out any dash bulbs light that may be out while your in there.
Where can you attach a temporary ground to on the cluster itself???
__________________
Looking for another Mercedes 300D or SD as a project vehicle..
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-10-2006, 06:49 PM
Stevo's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NW WA
Posts: 6,299
Maybe under one of the Phillips screws that secure the gauges on the back of the cluster, like I said I haven't tried that but it might be able to be done with the cluster in the car. You can pull the light out of the GP indicator and maybe get an alligator clip on there. (the bulb holder grounds on the back of the cluster).
__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-27-2006, 10:59 PM
Scott98's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Weston, FL
Posts: 1,254
I finally ran two new grounds from the back of the cluster. Solved my problem.


Scott
__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-28-2006, 01:09 AM
Stevo's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NW WA
Posts: 6,299
Thanks for the feed back, thats good too know.

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:10 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page