Today driving home from Maine in the 85 the tape deck started to make a clicking sound and the entire dash power went flaky. Gauges, hazard lights, etc. These episodes would last for a few seconds and then go away.

Loose connection or ground possibly...needs to be check for sure.

But...

Is this a failmode or symptom of some other component on that circuit failing like the ACC, radio, a relay, etc?

thanks,
dd

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

I'd have the alternator checked by a qualified diagnostic tech.

it could be ground issues, but it could also be bad voltage from the alt.

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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 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Have a look at the symptoms and possible solution here:

http://www.mbelectronicupgrades.com/Pulse_Wiper_%28old_and_new%29.html

This link came from a thread about a wiper variable delay relay.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D

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Objects in closer are mirror than they appear.

Yes - it sounded like a relay gone mental.

vstech - I'll check alternator voltage.

Is there a FSM diagram that discusses the relays in that part of the car? I have a parts vehicle I can swap relays with the isolate the source.

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

Were you using the cigarette lighter for charging something? Maybe just overheating that circuit or the fuse.

My positive battery cable was loose.

Lost total power before starting and went out to check the real high level stuff...

So check your battery cables :-)

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car