1983 300SD Turbo Diesel - Flood Light Issue

[RickR1983]

I never used the floodlights before. Just never needed them. The other day a rock kicked up and broke the lense of one. So I found a replacement and swapped it out. Then I tried to turn them on from inside the cabin. I flipped the switch on and nothing. It was dark and I forgot to flip the switch off. You guessed it, the next day the battery was dead.

So I got out the trusty multimeter and I am no expert, believe me. However, I get .1 ohms when touching the leads together. I pulled the floodlight switch and with the switch off....nothing, then I turn it on and with the meter I get .1 ohms. So the switch looks good. I did the same thing with the flood light fixture and with the bulb that goes inside and I got .1 or .2 ohms.

I feel comfortable the switch, light fixture, and bulb are good. Have any of you experienced a problem like this before? Where would you recommend that I start tracking the problem down. A lot of wires in these cars as you know. Any guidance is appreciated. Rick

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by RickR1983

I never used the floodlights before.

Don't feel bad, I have never even heard of them!!!

I have a Jeep that is certified to operate in 19" of water, and it doesn't even have floodlights.

[kerry]

Originally Posted by tangofox007

Don't feel bad, I have never even heard of them!!!

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

[79Mercy]

i assume your not talking about the foglights cause they dont have an independent switch.

[compu_85]

The fog lamps have their own fuse.

-Jason

[RickR1983]

Oooppps, what do I know. Yes, the switch I was looking at is for the rear courtesy lights.

So how do those darn fogs lights come on then. You say there is a separate fuse, but when I pull that panel under the hood, I don't see a separate fuse for the fog lights.

More help please :-)

[compu_85]

You pull the headlight switch out to turn on the fog lamps. I assure you they have their own fuse. Look again.

I just checked the service manual, and the fog lamps have an 8 amp fuse in slot 6

[RickR1983]

I have fog lights!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your help. I had no idea you had to pull it out. Sorry to bother you with such a simple item.

I should have read page 23 a little bit closer. "A turn to position 2 and pull out to first detent = same as position 2 plus fog lights."

Not the way I'd have written it and that's why I didn't see it to start with.

Appreciate the help, you just made my day!

Now, how are you at diagnosing a climate control issue?

[mike-81-240d]

Originally Posted by RickR1983

Now, how are you at diagnosing a climate control issue?

Have you checked fuse number 14? That was my problem.

[RickR1983]

Checked all the fuses. Changed out the monovalve. My temperature wheel gives me nothing. About the only thing it does is make the front windshield vent open when I spin it to full hot. Other than that I get no hot and no cold. The vent just blows air that is just slightly warmer than outside.

Compressor no longer kicks on and can't hear clutch engage and release anymore either.

I was getting really hot air no matter what the setting was at. The monovalve was bad with the rubber torn and it would not seal. So that was a problem too, but there is something else wrong as well.

[mike-81-240d]

Also on a '83 your headlamps will need to be on, in order for the fogs to come on.

[compu_85]

Originally Posted by mike-81-240d

Also on a '83 your low beam headlamps will need to be on, in order for the fogs to come on.

Important note for the early cars

[toomany MBZ]

Many issues concerning the HVAC are found in the push button unit itself. Cold solders, or a failed electrical connection at the solder point. The only way to tell is to pull the unit and visually inspect.

[Beastie]

My 89 Range Rover had "Puddle lamps" under the doors.

[compu_85]

So does the US spec W126 (and your W124), but those are switched on when you open the door

-J