Ok, it's been 3 months since I've driven the car, and I had forgotten about the problem until last night, when I had to turn on the headlights while I was leaving the store. I turned on the headlights, and my father informed me that the car has a headlight problem and to check it out. Sure enough, the drivers side headlight was out. I popped the hood open, and my father showed me how to jiggle the light connector to the socket so the light would come on. Now, I don't think it's too loose, because if I just touch it slightly, the light will come on. What do you all here think the problem is, the connector, or the socket? And is this an easy DIY project for a novice to fix?
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

First I'd try dielectric grease, then if that doesn't work just pop the back of of the connector cover off. Mercedes made it so you can take every pin out if you want, but be careful not to let them all out and forget the order. If you take some pliers and oval them ever so minutely I'm sure this will take care of your problem. Yes it should be an easy fix.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

I tried the dielectric gel, and it worked. Before I applied the dielectric gel, the headlight would not come on at all when I turned them on, or shut the car off, and turned the car and the headlights on again. The gel works great, and from what I have heard, it can be used as a temporary fix for that crazy tach amp. I think I might try it later on.
Thanks for the help
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I wouldn't count on that fixing the tach amp problem, I do believe the problem is that inside of it there is a bad solder which gets broken free. People (including myself) have successfully pulled the cap off stuck enough stuff in there to put pressure on the board to hold that bad solder together, therefore it stops the gauge from jumping around.

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

try sanding the contacts of the bulbs.. .are you using H4 bulbs? or is it the US Spec sealed beam type?.. if so.. just sand the contacts to remove teh grime that could cause the improper contact of electricals.

just my 0.2 cents.

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Mike

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1975 200 - Sold (no pix);
1978 200 - Sold - http://www.pbase.com/hboy/redbaron
1979 300TD - Sold
http://www.pbase.com/hboy/greenwagon
http://www.geocities.com/hboy726/300TD.html
1985 230E - now my daily driver...