1985 300SD 256k miles (recently acquired)

With the key on, engine on or off there was a weird inconsistent buzz above the steering column. I gave it a nice smack and it went silent. Now none of the gauges work, and the ANTILOCK and CHARGE idiot lights are on. Radio also doesn't seem to be powering up anymore. hmm.

I'm guessing perhaps a relay behind the cluster or above the pedals? Where do I start?

Thanks

Was it the annoying "fasten seatbelts" buzz?

My guess is you knocked out a ground around the cluster somewhere.

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99 E300 TD -- sold
01 540i 6 spd

I don't think it was any type of indicator buzz. It wasn't too loud and definitely didn't sound like it was supposed to be there. Almost a staticky buzz. Whatever was making the sound went away with a lot of vital dashboard electronics.

Any other suggestions before I start digging with a voltmeter, welding mask, blowtorch and duct tape?

Had a similar problem with our 95 124 a few weeks back and it turned out to be a fuse located in the fuse panel located in the engine compartment. Hope this helps!

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Joe W.


1995 E320 Cabriolet
1967 Corvette Convertible
1993 Corvette Convertible (40th Anniversary)
2000 Harley-Davidson Sportster
1994 Honda Accord

heeheehee, i think i know what it is, try fipping your hazard switch on/off see if it takes care of the noise.

my hazard switch was faulty, it somehow semi-engages, solution was to turn it on/off

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project

I forgot to mention the hazard switch definitely seem to effect something when I flipped it AFTER I killed whatever it was that I killed. That's when the radio stopped working too.

Why would the hazard switch have so much of an effect on the dashboard? It's not in the location where the noise/smack was.

Where should I start digging?