W201 / 190D Fuse box, adjustable lights - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gastropodus · #1 08-16-2010, 12:51 AM

Well, I ended up buying that unusual car on the independent dealer lot advertised on craigslist (see earlier thread What model do you think this is??). It's a peach of a car! With a few quirks, of course. First of all, it really is a grey market import. I tracked down the previous owner and spoke to him about it; he brought it over about ten years ago. The owner's manual is in German(!) and I can't even read it. Consequently I have some questions...

First of all, I can see that there's a fuse burnt out. The PO (not the dealer) also warned me that he had experienced a minor short somewhere, so I need to get access to the fuses so that I can start probing and see which circuits are drawing current when the car is off. However, I can't get the darn lid off the fuse box! There's a clip at the forward end that I can release, and a loop on top that I pop off, but all that seems to allow me to do is tilt the box up some 30 degrees or so. Is that all I can do with the fuse box lid? Is it hinged at the back? See picture.

Two other things about that first picture: does anyone know that that prominent orange cupcake-shaped item is in front of the fuse box? There's a wire coming from that to screw terminal connector, and the wire is loose.

Also barely visible in that photo is what looks like a purple vacuum line coming from the firewall to the left of the fuse box, and it is unterminated (i.e. open at the end). That seems odd; I don't see anything in the vicinity to connect it to, but I'm open to suggestions...

Second, it looks like there is some sort of adjustability to the headlights or fog lights. There is a little roller wheel on the dash next to the light switch that seems to suggest some function related to lights. Anyone know what this is, and what it does? See picture.

Finally, can anyone suggest how to take the driver door trim panel off? The leather at the top near the window has lost its adhesive, and now when the lock button comes up it doesn't go cleanly through the hole intended for it. I think that the right thing to do is take the panel off, stretch the leather to where it needs to go, and apply new adhesive to hold it in place (suggestions on proper adhesive?).

Loving the W201...

Kurt

gastropodus · #2 08-16-2010, 10:03 AM

If anyone has a 190D with a similar fuse box I would be grateful if you would post a picture of your cover - presumably a US market car would have fuse box markings in English (this one has all German). Then I could do a better job of decoding what fuse does what.

Thanks,

Kurt

Jetmugg · #3 08-16-2010, 10:18 AM

Let me take a look in my "stash" - I might have another fuse box cover.

You are on the right track with removing it. First, unhook the latch at the front. Then "pop" the front bow of the rear latch free from the plastic lid. Then you have to squeeze the rear latch together towards the center of the fuse panel (there are 2 short legs at the rear which engage some holes in the fuse box).

Then the lid will be completely disconnected, but you will still have to wiggle it quite a bit to get it free from the car.

SteveM.

babymog · #4 08-16-2010, 10:40 AM

The original headlamps were adjustable, by vacuum, through the purple vacuum lines (one with a yellow tracer) from a vacuum source - through the switch - to the headlamps.

0 was the un-laden setting, and as you put a load in the rear seats & trunk, you would dip the lights using a higher number setting so that your lights don't glare in oncoming driver's eyes. Lighting standards and useage are much more strictly controlled in many European countries.

gastropodus · #5 08-16-2010, 10:49 AM

Thanks to you both, that clears up things for me. And yes, Steve, if you have one in your stash that you're willing to sell send me a PM! There's only one 190D in the local pick n pulls, and I'm betting that it doesn't have a fuse cover.

Babymog, does the factory service manual show the vacuum lines and colors?

Kurt

bobodaclown · #6 08-16-2010, 11:27 AM

For the level control check out this link:
http://web.mac.com/dakota/Projects/Level_Control.html

For the fuse box check out this link:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/mercedes%20benz%20190d%20fuse%20box%20diagram/SamoilaStefan/Relays190E.jpg

Hope it answers your questions.

Jetmugg · #7 08-16-2010, 11:41 AM

I'll do some stash digging later this afternoon.

I, for one, would love to see some interior pics of your car. Does is have manual climate control, cloth seats and roll-up windows? Sunroof?

If you EVER decide to sell this car, I am 100% interested. Please check my signature line for evidence of my W201 propensities.

SteveM.

gastropodus · #8 08-16-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetmugg

I'll do some stash digging later this afternoon.

I, for one, would love to see some interior pics of your car. Does is have manual climate control, cloth seats and roll-up windows? Sunroof?

If you EVER decide to sell this car, I am 100% interested. Please check my signature line for evidence of my W201 propensities.

SteveM.

I'll get you some interior pics tonight, but to answer your specific questions:

It does have manual climate control. Although the fan is inoperative; from what I've seen digging in the forums this is not an unusual failure. It might even be related to the mysterious short that the previous owner had noticed, hmm?

Yes, on the cloth seats! They're great.

The windows are unusual: power fronts, manual rears. Which is perfect for me, as it means that my children are less like to break the manual windows rolling them up and down when they sit in back (which is probably the only place I'll ever let them sit!).

It has a working sun roof. I need to read up on how to clean and lubricate it with the special high priced Peruvian Owl Sh** that I've seen mentioned on the forums... want to keep it working!

Other unusual features, presumably Euro: has a giant reflective triangle mounted on the underside of the trunk lid. The mirrors are manual on the driver side, and electric on the passenger side. The passenger side mirror has an unusual vertical aspect ratio, and is controlled by a little joystick on the center console forward of the gear shift.

Interior is in pretty mint shape for the most part; the leather surrounding the gear shift is cracked in places, and the three switches in the dash above the climate control are loose. I think I will need to fabricate a new backing plate for those switches, but it is not a high priority.

Glad to know that there are some other W201 fans on board!

Kurt

MBeige · #9 08-16-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobodaclown

For the level control check out this link:
http://web.mac.com/dakota/Projects/Level_Control.html

For the fuse box check out this link:
http://media.photobucket.com/image/mercedes%20benz%20190d%20fuse%20box%20diagram/SamoilaStefan/Relays190E.jpg

Hope it answers your questions.

Thanks for this info, the links are great resources.

Jetmugg · #10 08-16-2010, 04:29 PM

Sounds like an interesting car.

The trunk mounted emergency triangle is a well sought after feature. I think they fit in the US spec trunk lids also. Is the triangle removable, so it can be placed on the roadside during repairs, or is it permanently mounted to the decklid?

SteveM.

Murkybenz · #11 08-16-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetmugg

Sounds like an interesting car.

The trunk mounted emergency triangle is a well sought after feature. I think they fit in the US spec trunk lids also. Is the triangle removable, so it can be placed on the roadside during repairs, or is it permanently mounted to the decklid?

SteveM.

It is removable to place in the road a hundred or so yards further back to warn other traffic when you have a breakdown.

In the UK it is not mandatory but in the EU it is,and although I cannot be certain I would expect a fine if stopped in the EU and there was not one in the car.
To travel in France there must be a reflective vest for each passenger to wear in the case of a breakdown,other Eu countries may have the same laws.

sasquatchgeoff · #12 08-16-2010, 05:19 PM

If this car is Euro, the headlight "doors" are throwing me. Those headlights in the craigslist pic are American/Canadian which would negate the functionality of the beam adjuster. Possibly required for prep before shipping to the US? Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

babymog · #13 08-16-2010, 05:49 PM

Probably why the purple vac-line goes nowhere, ... no vac operated light adjusters.

Plug the line.

gastropodus · #14 08-16-2010, 06:05 PM

Sasquatch, you may be onto something there. That was part of what was puzzling me about the whole headlight aiming control, namely that I didn't see anything adjustable about the headlights from the back... no obvious control lines, etc. Well, I'll have to take a closer look, but I suspect that the purple control line was intended for that functionality; now that functionality appears to be gone.

Kurt

sasquatchgeoff · #15 08-16-2010, 06:20 PM

If the car was from Germany, probably a requirement to ship it stateside was the installation of the Can/Am headlight doors. Those units utilize a standard sealed-beam headlight which is not multi-directional.