Photo, is this a diode or a resistor? temperature gauge 1975 300D
 

Hi Everyone, I blew this component on the temperature gauge when I was working on my instrument cluster.

Can anyone tell me what it is so that I can replace it?

Thanks.

Mark

It looks more like a capacitor. Too big to be a diode or resistor. Best look at one at a junk yard though.

I am only guessing though !!

Capacitors have leads coming out of one end only. At least all the capacitors I have seen.

Not so.
Polyester caps are often a yellow/brown color with a wire out each end. very common in electrical stuff from that era.

Maybe cross post in vintage as well.

You may be able to get quotes here: http://www.chaiyayont.com/product_121605.121612_en

That component is a resistor. Judging by its size, I'd say one rated for considerable wattage. The problem is that their resistance values are given by colored bands or in the case of large ones, printed on the exterior. Yours is obviously kaput and un-decipher-able. You'd need a good one to decipher it's value, which if you had a good one, you wouldn't need to ask. Your best bet is to find a junkyard part and note it's values before installing it in case the new one goes up in smoke too.

The fuel gauge has a similar component and it has NO colored bands on the outside either.

I don't think the junkyard strategy will work for me. We don't have old 36 year old Mercedes Benzes in junkyards here. Typically we have 10 year old Asian and American cars.

Some resistors have numeric values stamped on them- no stripes. If the one on the fuel gauge has no markings at all, you can measure the value with an ohmmeter, but it is not necessarily the same as the burned one. Again, your best bet is to find someone with a working component and hope they can get you the value.

x2

junkyards bolo
 

Maybe you want to ask others here if they have an extra lying around. I might have one from an extra instrument cluster I have. PM me, and maybe we can work out a deal. Otherwise, have you contacted Phil???

If he is unable to help you . . . contact Pierre, the guru with all the extra OEM parts lying around at auction prices . . .. He's in Florida (Titusville)(PM me for his contact info) . . don't know his handle here, but think you'd ultimately have less problems if you just bought a new gauge for it with all the attached electronics intact.

X2
A resistor... maybe 5watts or so. Find someone with another one and measure the value. FYI: you have to "lift" one of the leads to measure. You can't measure a resistor with it connected to the circuit. Well.. you can but the measured value would be something erroneous.

If you guys can point me in the direction of some wiring diagrams... I will try to find the resistors and see if there are values listed. Classic center may also have schematics, which will list values.

x2

Find a working unit.

Temporarily disconnect one lead from the board.

Measure the resistance.

Restore temporarily disconnected lead.

Well I don't see how I can get access to someone else's old Mercedes 300 and take apart their instrument cluster. Maybe in a Hollywood movie I could do that. lol

I am hoping if I take the part to a place that sells resistors, they can match it up by size and color.