500 SL Euro Question
 

500 SL owners and other knowledgeable people:

I have an 82 500 SL. I am having trouble determining whether I have a speedo cable or electronic pickup. On the back of the cluster, there is not a threaded piece to screw a cable onto. It is just a small, white bowl-like piece with a metal rod in the center.

Yet, I found the remains of a detached speedo cable behind the dash! What's going on here? Did someone destroy the speedo cable (it is torn in half) and replace the speedo with one from a later model?

Surprisingly, the speedo functions but reads quite a bit too fast. I am baffled. Any thoughts?

Not sure where to post. Also will post in Tech Help.

Rich Mayer
82 500 SL

Rich, I also have a 1982 500SL. Does yours have Euro Bumpers? I am looking for help in converting back to Euro from US bumpers. Have the bumpers, not sure on the mounting. Picture of the mounting point would help. Thanks

My speedo is electronic. Also was reading fast with no odometer function. Was busted up inside. A rebuild from a speedo shop in Ft Lauderdale did the job. About $200.

Sounds pretty fishy - Mercedes obviously didn't install speedo cables in the car and then not hook them up. The reading being way off is fishy too. It would be interesting to know whether the 82 380SLs were cable or electronic - maybe the dealer can tell you. But the answer is probably to recalibrate the one you've got.

Rich, I have a 1984 Euro 500Sl. I am pretty sure it has the electrontic speedometer. Have you traced the cable back to the transmission? Do you have oversized rims and tires on your car? Perhaps that is why your speed is different. Lee, I have the small bumpers. As soon as this weather breaks( sleet and cold as heck) I'll take off the car cover and try and get some pics for you.
Mike
1985 380SE
1984 Euro 500SL

Thanks for your comments.

The cable was hanging to the left of the transmission and severed. The other end was disconnected and jammed up underneath the dash. I don't know what the terminal looks like on the transmission itself. Anyone have a photo of either type as it connects to the transmission?

Can anyone confirm that the white-bowl-with-metal-rod setup on the back of the speedo is the electronic version? I also have a mechanical speedo from my 76 450 SL parts car. I assume that the (mechanical) speed sender from the transmission would be somewhat different from the electronic sender?

My wheels and tires are factory...the speed readout is almost 50% greater than actual speed. Would larger wheels diameter make the readout lower than actual speed rather than higher? The odometer seems to match the Carfax so it is probably OK.

ljmauricio, do you need photos with the bumpers off or with them on (photo from underneath)? My bumpers will be coming off again but not for a few months. If you could use photos from underneath, I can get them for you.

Rich Mayer
82 500 SL

Rich, I would like to see a picture with the bumpers on, at the point where the bumper bracket bolts to the frame. Front and rear if you don't mind. My car was converted to US bumpers years ago and before I owned it. I don't know if there were any modifications done then to accomodate the US bumpers or if they just bolted on to what was existing. If they just bolted on w/o any mods then I should be in good shape, however, it just isn't clear to me looking at it with the US bumpers still on. The bracket that is on the Euro front bumper is slotted, and looks like it should bolt on in the area of where the US bumper shock is bolted. On the rear bumper there is a pad on each side with a bolt. I am not sure if that goes directly into the frame or is there some point of attachment that I am missing. Any help appreciated. Also, on you topic, I have a brand new electronic speedo that I bought for a 380 that I no longer have.. If you're interested, let me know. Not sure if the're compatible, but might be. Leo

Believe that model SHOULD have the electronic speedo. My connectors clamp in without the screw type connector for the manual/mechanical.

Also, when the speedo was converted when the car was brought into the CONUS they put a gear in it that caused mine to register about 10% fast. I had to get it rebuilt by a guy down in Ft Lauderdale and he changed out the gear(s) during the repair and it now registers both speed and mileage as it should.