I just got a GREAT deal on a 83 300SD Turbo Diesel and it has a few things that need fixed. first all the lights work but the main instrument panel (speedometer etc) and then lights for the windows, heat etc. Also does a Mercedes have a fan control for the heater? It does warm up and blow but not like it should I dont think. I am thinking maybe it is the blower motor for the heater???? Other then that I am loving my new "to me" car!!

Hey! Welcome to the forum! Congrats on the 300SD!

Its a really well built car. You should check out the diesel discussion form on this website. It is a wealth of knowledge on these diesels.

He's a few ideas on your problems that you mentioned:

1) Lights: There is a knob on the left side of the instrument cluster. That controls the brightness of the cluster lights and all the back lighting for the switches/buttons etc. If you turn that and nothing happens then it most likely has gone bad and will need either bypassed (which just puts all the lights to full brightness--not a problem at all) or replaced.

2) There are 3 direct settings for the fan. They in the center console and have a little picture of a fan on them. The full white fan is HIGH. The partial white one is LOW. The middle button "AUTO" regulates fan speed based on temperature in the car and settings on the control

3) If you dont have a manual for the car you should get one from eBay or one of the guys here, I'm sure someone has one they'd be willing to sell you. It will tell you what buttons do what on the climate control unit. different buttons route the warm air through different vents. Hot air usually comes out the side, floor and defroster vents, never though the center vents.

You should be able to hear the blower moving air around, if not thats another story.

Again,

Welcome to the forum!

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Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

For a car that old, spend a couple of dollars and replace all the fuses.

There should be a fuse card like this on the lid.

http://www.mbcoupes.com/repairarticles/fuse/84500fuses.htm



Real easy to get to - it's the long black box, infront of the LH steering wheel up by the left hood hinge.

Also, around both hood hinges, below and around them check there are not a bunch of leaves and debris, and in front of the windshield there. With these sedans and coupes a LOT of it collects there, and there is debris buildup and that could sometimes actually cause an engine fire, I personally know of one casse of this -- if the car is outside, check it every couple of weeks.

Back in 1998 I wrote this buyers guide for the 2 door gas version of this car, and it has been pretty well received over the years.

There are some maintenance tips that would apply to everything but the diesel engine in your car

http://www.mbcoupes.com/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm


Good luck and welcome aboard.


Listen up: These cars, if you take care of them, can last you the rest of your life.

Their build quality, durability, longevity and safety are legendary.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Good advice on the dark instrument lights.
The push button unit (CCU) has a tendency to have cold solders, that is a term used to describe hair line cracks around solder points. You'll have to remove the unit to check. Press the far left (defrost) button, that is an over ride, full heat and full fan.

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83 SD

84 CD

Congrats. I'm waist deep in mine. After having grown up in a family where these were new cars as a kid, its nostalgic and rewarding to keep it going.

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This area is typically used to brag about one's current or former automobiles.

OMG.........stop............run.........sell it before it is too late........oh well, you
will soon be addicted like the rest of us


Welcome

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

Where be the pitchers????

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'82 300D (project)
'46 Willys (project)
"Nothing seems to be the way it should in this garage." -jt20
"Smarter than an engine, dumber than a hoodlatch..." -jt20
"Start jumping up and down to smoosh down those engine mounts" -DeliveryValve
"no" -kerry
"At this rate, you may have it done by winter" -layback40

+1 on the OMG RUN!!!!

I am pretty sure I've given my kids reason to need counseling due to my SD.

These things are like no other car out there. Its like once you are in, it doesn't matter how much its going to cost you will keep going.

It will just be this thing and then its done. Good Lord in heaven I said that like 25 things ago.

Oh yeah, take out your camera phone and post some pics. Us guys are visual.

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77' 300D, "Cartman" SOLD @ 150K (didn't know what I had)
83' 300SD, "The Superdon" 325k+ @ 28mpg
95 E320 wagon, "Millennium Falcon" 231k+ @ 24 Mpg
95 E300D, "Sherley" 308k @ 33.69 Mpg, currently anticipating a head
99 Suzuki Intruder "Trudy" @ 45 mpg

Welcome! You've got a great car; take care of it and it will spoil you.

A few things I'd check and do:
Get an oil change first chance you get. Make sure they treat your accelerator linkage with care.
Verify that the air cleaner element is not too dirty - replace if necessary. Also, that all ducting to the turbo is clear and tight.
Top off all fluids to proper levels - brake, power steering, auto trans.
Check tires for uneven wear.
Check brakes for rotor and pad condition.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

warning, blower can cause the car to catch fire.

you've been warned.

ok, pop the fuse box and inspect it for a melted blue fuse, that'll be the blower fuse.

if none are melted, or have discolored clips, you're in good shape.

report back with what you find.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

olygirl !
Welcome !!
As you can see this site is a friendly bunch. Any questions always get comments back. There is no such thing as a "stupid question" !!!!
The most useful thing for a new 300 D owner is to use the search function on here. There is more useful info on here than any other place and if you dont find what you need to know, just ask!!
Once you get on top of basic maintenance items on these cars, they are reliable & dependable. Codifex's list is a good start. If you try and just drive them without doing recommended maintenance expect to have it stop when its most inconvenient.
I think I might be about number 10 asking for a few pic of the car !!

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving