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  #1  
Old 02-01-2007, 07:36 PM
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Dome Light/Reverse Light/Wire ID Help in 300TDT (with pics)

Ok, this is multi-part question on my '85 Euro 300TD Turbo. I have searched the forums and found some hints, but nothing that really helps.

So I recently removed a very poorly installed Clifford alarm system. Everything went pretty well, but I'm left over with two wires and a plug and I'm not sure where they go or what they do (although I do have some ideas).

Exhibit A.

This guy hangs down from above the steering column. I believe it may be for the key warning buzzer which my car does not have (it's a Euro). If that's the case then it's nothing to worry about.

Exhibit B.

This picture is taken looking up under the driver side dash at the back of the rotary light switch. This wire comes from the main bundle underneath the dash that goes to the switch. See how there's any empty connector on the light switch? Do you think it goes there? Does anyone know what this wire (or the empty spot on the switch) does? The wire is gray and green.

Exhibit C.

This is looking at the front driver side door pillar. You can see there is a grey wire hanging down. Although you can't see the end, it was the second wire I disconnected from the alarm system. Do you think it's an additional wire added for the alarm or is it a stock wire from the MB electrical system? If it's something for the old alarm I'll just cut it off. The yellow thing is the connector for one of the door switches that I popped out for the photo.


Ok, and now the symptoms that might be related to the above wiring problems. The rear dome light comes on when I open the rear hatch, open either of the two rear doors, or press the courtesy light button on the dash. The front dome light only comes on if I open either of the two front doors and does not come one with the switch. Any ideas on this one?

The second problem is that my driver side reverse light does not come on. I have verified that it does not get any voltage at the bulb or at the connector in the wheel well. The passenger side works fine. Any ideas on why this might be and if it's related to any of the above wiring problems (I think it probably isn't)?

Thanks so much.

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Old 02-01-2007, 09:03 PM
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If you have a w123 euro wagon- then you do not have a drivers reverse light. Instead you have a rear fog light that is red in color, or should be. I dont know where the switch will be for it however. The Haynes manual actually has wiring diagrams that are pretty good- I was able to figure out several wiring issues with the diagrams found in it. edit with good reason

Last edited by MTUpower; 02-01-2007 at 09:11 PM.
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  #3  
Old 02-01-2007, 09:19 PM
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euro rear fogs are run by the headlight switch. pull out 1 click, fronts, 2 clicks, F&R. maybe that is the wire to the switch under the dash.


Got a test light? real handy, and under $10.

the door wire looks like extra alarm crap.

dome lites sound right, except the front one should have a switch on the lite itself?
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Old 02-01-2007, 09:24 PM
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I have the MB shop CD's, but the wiring diagrams aren't that great. I'll pick up the Haynes and see where that gets me.

I do not have the rear red fog light. It was probably replaced with a US rear bumper when it was federalized. Instead, I have two white backup lights that fit in the rear bumper. The passenger side works fine, the driver side does not work. I bet you're right, mobetta, that missing connection on the headlight switch is probably for the rear fog light that isn't there anymore...

Thanks again.
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Old 02-02-2007, 05:49 PM
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Ok, I got a Haynes manual with the excellent wiring diagrams.

Turns out Mobetta was right. The green/gray wire hanging down from the dash should be on the missing spot on the light switch. It goes to the rear fog light which is on the driver side (I thought it was just the other reverse light). The passenger side reverse light comes on as it should when the car is put into reverse. So, in order to have both "reverse" lights on, the car has to be in reverse and I have to turn the fog lights on - haha.

Now I just need to figure out what the plug dangling down in the first picture is...Oh, should both courtesy lights go on when I open any door? How about when I push on the button the dash? I'm pretty sure they both used to go on before I removed the alarm when I opened any door or pushed the button on the dash.

Thanks.
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Old 02-02-2007, 07:27 PM
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nope.
the button only controls the rear lights.
the front is by the front doors or the switch on the light itself...
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Old 02-02-2007, 09:33 PM
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So when you open the rear doors or the hatch, the rear dome light should come on? Hmm..mine doesn't but does work with the button on the dash. I guess I should check some door switches...
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Old 02-02-2007, 10:21 PM
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For the rear fog, see if yours lights up. You only have one reverse light, and the other is the rear fog light on your Euro TDT.

FWIW, the headlight switch on my car also has that missing spot but I don't have stray wires lying around, so yours may just be that one dangling.
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Old 02-03-2007, 09:08 PM
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Maybe your interior rear light comes on when you open the hatch or rear doors AND have both fogs on.... . Haynes does have nice diagrams, eh? Check again for the rea light stuff.
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  #10  
Old 02-03-2007, 10:53 PM
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I had a wire like the last one, that I cut out when I removed the aftermarket alarm system. They had done a hack job putting it in. Most of the wiring in mine was just clipped together and wrapped with electrical tape.
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  #11  
Old 02-04-2007, 04:55 PM
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vstech, thanks for the info on the light switch - it seems to be working correctly then.

I hooked up that extra green/gray wire to the missing spot on the switch. Now the rear fog light comes on when I turn the rotary switch one to the right (for driving/standing lights). This doesn't seem right so maybe it doesn't go there. I expected it to come on instead when I pull the rotary switch all the way out (so the yellow "city" lights are on and the little orange light in the middle of the switch lights up). Now I just need to figure out which contact in the rotary switch that is. Thanks again.

Oh, I think I figured out what the plug that dangles down is. I'm pretty sure it's suppose to plug into the warning buzzer on the back of the instrument cluster for when a door is open (and the ignition is on). I removed that warning buzzer by accident when I took the old alarm system out and, as I recall, it was super annoying anyway so I probably won't replace it.
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  #12  
Old 02-06-2007, 06:15 PM
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Ok, final follow up, I promise. I took the rotary switch out of the dash and saw where the green/gray wire had been clipped. I reattached it and now the rear fog light works as it should. Soooo, for full reverse lighting I need the car in reverse to get the passenger side light and then the rotary light switch turned to parking lights or head lights and then pulled all way out for the driver side rear fog/reverse light.

I'm going to scan and upload the Haynes schematic that helped me with this problem.

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