1985 500SL Power Windows - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

njyuppy21 · #1 04-27-2006, 02:58 PM

Good day eveyone! I recently am blessed or at least I thought I was blessed when I inherited this 500SL. Besides the usual tap tap tap the care has few flaws. What baffles me is the power windows. Neither one will work. I Pulled the console and noticed that grandpa has jumpers going from each window switch.
I did test the motors and they are operational (jump box, with two leads) Any ideas?

nh500sl · #2 04-29-2006, 12:17 PM

For starters, congrats on the great car.

The first thing that I do, when I have iopperable powerwindows, is I clean the swithches. Carefully disasembe the switch, and clean the contacts with a pencil eraiser. This has been the problem about 90%of the time. Also make sure the fuse is good etc etc.

Does anyone know wear the relay is on this car by a chance? Also, what is the best way to test it? Thanks.

kbannister · #3 04-29-2006, 09:01 PM

What usual Tap Tap Tap

njyuppy21 · #4 05-01-2006, 05:05 PM

Power windows are now working! Cleaned switches as suggested and changed fuse even though it looked good, many thanks! As for the Tap Tap Tap..... Driver's side. I believe it may need a valve job. Is the possible?

kbannister · #5 05-01-2006, 07:04 PM

What is known a lifter noise on American cars is unusual on MBs. I could be oil related, a worn cam (which usually happens on the RH side first, or a weak ball stud (hydralic compensator). At any rate, you should investigate the cause before it causes damage. First start by changing your oil and throw in a can of MOA and see if that cures it. If not, pull the cover off and check the cam. If all looks good, check the ball studs, push on them with the handle of a hammer, if one goes down easy, that is the problem. There are numerous posts on how to replace them and also on checking out the noise. Read them then check it out.

BTW, welcome and congrats on you new car

njyuppy21 · #6 05-02-2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbannister

What is known a lifter noise on American cars is unusual on MBs. I could be oil related, a worn cam (which usually happens on the RH side first, or a weak ball stud (hydralic compensator). At any rate, you should investigate the cause before it causes damage. First start by changing your oil and throw in a can of MOA and see if that cures it. If not, pull the cover off and check the cam. If all looks good, check the ball studs, push on them with the handle of a hammer, if one goes down easy, that is the problem. There are numerous posts on how to replace them and also on checking out the noise. Read them then check it out.

BTW, welcome and congrats on you new car

Thanks very much! I plan on investigating this weekend!

njyuppy21 · #7 05-03-2006, 09:59 PM

How long does it take to replace the cam? I have the tools and a garage at my disposal and would like to try to get it done over the rainy weekend. Is that possible?

kbannister · #8 05-04-2006, 08:51 AM

I'm not so sure you want to try and get this done over one weekend. Just replacing the cams can be done but if I were you, I would do the timing chain and guides too. The timing chain is the achilles heal on these engines. That alone will take the better part of a day and a half by the time you take everything off the engine and put it back on. Along with the cams, be sure to replace the oilers, the little plastic pieces on the tube that are pressed into the cam bearings. Do a search on timing chain and you will have several posts on how to do it, the only thing I did differently is I used mega sized zip ties instead of vice grips to hold the chain on the sprockets when feeding it through. I have a website saved in my favorites but not on this computer. I can post it tonight for you.

Next thing is, and I can't swear to it but the euro cams are supposed to be a little different than the USA versions so be sure you get the right ones.

When torque the bearings back down, you are going into the aluminum heads and they have been known to strip. Care must be taken when removing them.

I would start another thread asking about the cam replacement and see what responses you get. I did a search earlier and not too much showed up. Title it 500Sl Euro Cam Replacement. There are a couple of guys on this forum that know these cars inside and out. You might want to get a CD for a 380SL and a 500SEC for future reference. The 380 will cover 99% of you chassis and the 500 will cover you engine for the most part.

Not trying to scare you but I have found that working on these takes a lot more care that most of us are accustomed to when wrenching on the old American cars.

CHKiwus · #9 10-08-2006, 04:15 PM

Hello! My passenger side window goes down but not up. I'd like to try cleaning the window switch contacts, but can't figure out how to remove them from the center console to do so. Can anyone tell me how? Also, what shop manual do you recomend? My manual covers way too many models - jack of all trades, master of none. Thanks, Chris