Weird hackjobs trying to reverse correctly
 

The car is a 1983 200D.

My brake master cylinder has some connector without anything attached - what's it for?

http://gallery.w116.org/dl/36305-1/IMG_0043.jpg

The glow plug relay has this extra wire hacked in that seems to connect to the A/C fan in the front - the other wire goes up under the battery along with one of the A/C tubes:

http://gallery.w116.org/dl/36289-1/IMG_0039.jpg
http://gallery.w116.org/dl/36293-1/IMG_0040.jpg
http://gallery.w116.org/dl/36297-1/IMG_0041.jpg
http://gallery.w116.org/dl/36301-1/IMG_0042.jpg

I've got no idea what the correct wiring should be, but this doesn't seem to be it. The A/C does not work and the large metal tube going down to the compressor is broken completely through.

There is a switch on the upper center of the dash that controls fan function:

http://gallery.w116.org/dl/33649-1/IMG_0117.JPG

However I am not sure it is wired correctly because it has three positions - up, center, and down. Center allows fan/heat to work great, but it only comes through the defrost vents and a little bit through the foot vents, none through the dash vents. If I switch the switch either up or down, the fan sound changes notably and air blows through the dash vents, however I also hear the engine bog down considerably so I believe this means the A/C compressor is getting engaged. How are these controls supposed to work? I'm actually interested in removing the A/C entirely from the vehicle - if it's not there, should there still be some sort of switch for a manual climate control system?

P.S. I'm not sure why the above images don't seem to work but if you right-click them and open them in a new tab/window, they show up.

Brake fluid level. Replace the cracked cap before you pressure bleed.

I can only guess someone tapped downstream of the glow relay strip fuse to power an aftermarket auxiliary fan.

I've got no idea what the correct wiring should be, but this doesn't seem to be it. The A/C does not work and the large metal tube going down to the compressor is broken completely through.

I've seen that switch on Euros but I don't know what it does.

Sixto
87 300D

*nods* I was thinking to look into the cost of replacing the whole brake fluid reservoir. Is there a brake fluid level warning in the instrument cluster then? I don't see any loose wire hanging about, but maybe it was cut/broken off at some point.

So the fan on the front of the radiator, is not normally there on a car with A/C?

Hmm, do you know how US manual climate controls work? But yes, this is a euro.

I've seen good reservoirs in the yard. No caps. Phil can get them as can the dealer. Easier from Phil if you order with something else so shipping is free.

A clear plastic hose between the 2 ports that are supposed to be sealed by the caps will work until you get parts. Just use a couple of worm clamps to seal.

One of the brake warning lights, IIRC the park brake warning light, doubles as a low brake fluid warning light. If it stays on after you release the park brake, check brake fluid level.

I mean that fan is not the OE fan for a W123. I can't tell if the condenser is OE. US 123s with manual AC have a separate temp setting control for the AC compressor. Some tropical 123s don't have a cold side temp control. In my grandmother's tropical '77 200, you engaged the compressor by pulling out the fan knob. If I'm not mixing models, it might have been pull one click for AC, two clicks for recirc. In either case, a blue light came on in the center of the fan knob.

Sixto
87 300D