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  #1  
Old 07-18-2004, 10:54 AM
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Heres a nightmare for ya....

I was in Hartford CT last night for a concert. Sitting in the 300D afterwards waiting for traffic to clear, idling with the AC and running lights on, I move the headlight switch to turn the lights on and the switch housing pops apart and NO LIGHTS! Nothing, zip, zilch, nada. I pull the lower dash panel off and the switch housing had completely separated, spitting its guts out. Since the thing is complex and spring-loaded there is no way you are gonna get it back together. I separated the metal conductor ring that turns all the lights on and stuck it into the circle of contacts and that turned all the lights on, but no dash lights.... I then used strips of a rag tied around the switch housing to hold the conductor ring in contact. It worked and we got home but what a PITA! The switch is way more complex than it ever needed to be. At least I was able to McGuyver it to get her home. Lets hope this doesn't ever happen to anyone else. At least if it does, you now know it can be rigged to get you home! ARRRGGGHHHH!! The new switch is $75! RT

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Old 07-18-2004, 11:30 AM
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RW,

Happened to me in Cleveland OH in a '64 190D so the switch wasn't as complicated as yours. Trouble was that 3 hookers came along and didn't want to take no for an answer.

So I drove about 2 blocks away with no lights and took the wires off the switch and hooked a couple wires to the hot one to get the lights working. That switch had all the wires held on by screws so they could be easily be removed and reattached.

P E H
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  #3  
Old 07-18-2004, 11:37 AM
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The wires are held on with screws but there are lots of them and without a meter, test light, etc. and working in a dim parking garage I wasn't about to try moving wires around. Anyone in RI have a 123 parts car with a switch available? RT
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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K
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  #4  
Old 07-18-2004, 12:01 PM
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Wow that'd be a PITA to have to do that, it had no previous problems or signs then just fell apart out of the blue (or black )?!
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  #5  
Old 07-18-2004, 12:05 PM
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"Anyone in RI "
You worried about shipping costs on such a large item ?
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  #6  
Old 07-18-2004, 12:07 PM
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But it is so heavy, it may cost all of $3!!
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Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
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2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k
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  #7  
Old 07-18-2004, 12:21 PM
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Fastlanes website won't let me select a shipping option, appears to be FUBAR'd. Shipping not the issue, speed is. If I could get my hands on a switch TODAY, as in, drive to someones house and get it, I would. Nothings open. I know plenty of boneyards with MB's that likely would have what I need but not on Sundays.... If I have to wait I'll go for new. RT
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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K
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  #8  
Old 07-18-2004, 12:22 PM
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Wiseguys, why I aughta.....
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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K
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  #9  
Old 07-18-2004, 04:57 PM
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Phil will overnight it for you, you could have it Tuesday.
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  #10  
Old 07-18-2004, 09:30 PM
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I think it is funny to have a state so small that you can say that...
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  #11  
Old 07-19-2004, 12:30 AM
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Leathermang,
You have no idea.... Travis County is bigger than RI. People here think that driving to MA or CT requires packing a lunch and kissing relatives goodbye. Anything more than 10miles is way to far. RT
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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K
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  #12  
Old 07-19-2004, 03:08 AM
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Location: oregon
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The light switch on an Sd (probably same switch) looks like it could be used on a Navy ship......

William Rogers......
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  #13  
Old 07-19-2004, 03:15 AM
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stick your tongue on them till you find hot. lol
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Old 07-19-2004, 06:48 PM
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An excellent example of why you should be familiar enough with a car to be able to pull off a temporary fix to get you home. Good job, RT.

I once had the distributor jump out of the engine in the Healey.
I coasted into a parking lot and spent the next hour re-timing the blasted thing. (No, I wasn't the one who installed it incorrectly.) Also managed to put a fuel pump back together temporarily in a Porsche, using a nail for the pivot pin.

I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I don't go anywhere without my tool bag and some odds and ends of wire, tape, bailing wire, etc. I've probably used it more on other motorists' cars than mine.

Wes
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  #15  
Old 07-19-2004, 07:05 PM
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Zen And The Art Of Diesel
 
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Quote:
Originally posted by Wes Bender


I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I don't go anywhere without my tool bag and some odds and ends of wire, tape, bailing wire, etc. I've probably used it more on other motorists' cars than mine.

Wes
I know, I keep a lot more tools than are needed, oil, coolant, electrical stuff, other odds and ends in the trunk. I just can't break myself from that. I never need the fluids, but I don't feel right if there not there somehow. And now with the MB I have a bag of vacuum stuff with my mityvac and such, which I've also not needed in ages thankfully.

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