Hi guys:

I recently picked up a 96 E300D with 167K and am in the process of sorting through the problems. I could use a few suggestions on an electrical issue at the right rear stop light.

It's out.

The left rear stop light works. And when I swap the stop lamps left for right, the problem stays on the right side. The previously not working right lamp happily lights off when it's placed in the left lens assembly. So the bulb is not the culprit. Neither is that little plastic holder that the holds the bulb. What is next?

Is this merely a bad contact in the right lens assembly or something more sinister in the wiring?

My next thought was to clean the contacts on the right lens assembly, but I've got to tell you, the entire assembly along with the lamps could pass for new. Also I didn't see much metal to clean, but I haven't dug into it yet.

Thanks in advance. Also thanks to the list on another problem, the left rear window regulator. Using write ups and photos from this list, I replaced the regulator in record time. Took me about 15 minutes to successfully remove the door panel and regulator, and another 10 to get the new regulator pop riveted back in.

While I'm at it, here's another problem. The engine knocks like a rod is busting out. Then the noise goes away. This occured after sitting in a long line of traffic on my way to work yesterday. Engine starts and runs smooth as silk, compared to my W123 wagon. All of a sudden, knock, knock, knock at idle and higher RPM. Sounds like a single cylinder is knocking. I pull over and wait 30 seconds for the rod to come out of the engine. It doesn't.

I get into a parking lot and raise the hood, the knock sounds like it's coming out of the intake side, and not down lower on the block. So it's not a rod. To my great suprise the knock recedes and then quits altogether. Again runs smooth for another 100 miles. This is my first experience with this engine, I'm used to the 4 and 5 cyl. diesels in the older W123's.

Since acquistion, the car has been successfully driven about 400 miles. Before that, it's probably sat for quite a while. I've filled it up once. It came with 1/2 tank of fuel, age and condition unknown.

Thanks in advance,

Ed