SOMEONE PLEASE help me. I have a 1988 260E, I am at my wits end. Something is killing my battery. Battery and alternator have been checked three times, all are good. My brother used a type of meter on the fuse box.. unhooked the battery terminal, went through the fuses one at a time. Found 4 fuses pulling 8 plus with cables OFF. We pulled 3 of them out. These were for things such as dash lights, cigarette lighter, radio, aux fan, etc... The battery will hold a charge a little longer now.. up to approx 4-5 hours with these 3 fuses out. Prior to this, regardless of how long I drove it, If I turned it off after jumping it and drove a little while, it wouldn't even click to start when I tried to crank it again. Several months ago the inside of my car filled with smoke, which had a horrible odor to it. I took it to the nearest shop. The guy thought it was coming from my windshield wipers, he pulled the fuse out. After a few days, I put the fuse back in and wipers come on but don't exactly work properly. Also, my radio has for approx one yr been doing a fading in and out and the volume won't get up high at all. Next, after having the air cond. worked on last summer, the ABS light was on when I cranked the car at the shop and my clock wouldn't work. The guys at this shop were rude so I didn't go back. Any clues where to start past removing fuses? I am so frustrated, love my car but can't keep putting money in it. Also yesterday while driving it, the ABS light which has been staying on started flickering. Next prob...cranking it in cold weather is a nightmare. Is there a beginning or an end or do I just trade it? You may also email me at SummerMelodyNSC@aol.com with any suggestions.
I appreciate any help and suggestions.

You may want to check your trunk light. That happened to me and could not figure out why my battery kept dying. If your contact in the trunk is not aligned correctly, your trunk light stays on without you knowing it and kills the battery. Take the bulb out of the trunk and see if that works. Good luck.

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95 R129
04 Infiniti G35.5 BS
10 X204

Sounds like you could have 4 or 5 different problems. As far as the test your brother did I am not sure what test that was. I think the normal test is to remove each fuse one at a time and "replace" it with an ammeter (current meter (multimeter)). Then you can see exactly what current is bieng drawn by each branch. This test is done with the battery connected which is why I am not sure this is what your brother did. The trunk light is one possible cause and there are many others. Could be a bad alternator. What is the condition of the battery? That could be contributing. The other problems you have could be related or not. Hopefully some others with more specific knowledge on your model will chime in.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Trade it....unless you can work on it or you have plenty of money to pour into it. Money pit took on a new meaning when I bought my 87 260E, that's why my engine conversion is currently on the chalk-board!

Do you have an alarm on the car?

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'87 300E | 2.6 engine
Artic White - Navy blue interior, chrome rims, very clean and sharp!
91 300E
89 300E


The rest of my collection are just cars and trucks...no more "automobiles"...

Thank you for your reply. No, the car does not have an alarm system.
Patricia

The test the brother was doing was with the car off, doors closed. Put a voltmeter in place of the fuse - if you have a battery voltage reading, you know the circuit has power and a ground. Some circuits are supposed to, some not. He probably pulled the fuses/wires on those circuits not supposed to be drawing voltage. He's on the right path. Get a schematic and keep going - you'll find the gremlin.

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Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

Let me know how the troubleshooting goes, and if you need a wiring diagram, I'll send it to you via email. Your car most likely came with a factory installed alarm by the way.

I've been wanting to plan a trip to visit friends in Wilmington (NC) which is not far from you (75 miles) and I would be willing to drive to Myrtle Beach to help locate your problem....my car has no electrical issues at all (thank GOD!)....nor have I ever encountered any. Next weekend is looking good for my travel plans, as long as the winter weather cooperates. I'll bring my spare parts collection along with tools and a DVOM to test various electrical circuits.

Maybe someone in Myrtle Beach reading this has a working fuel distributor for sale....lol!

Just keep me posted and let me know if you need any wiring diagrams.

Good luck!

__________________
'87 300E | 2.6 engine
Artic White - Navy blue interior, chrome rims, very clean and sharp!
91 300E
89 300E


The rest of my collection are just cars and trucks...no more "automobiles"...

It does sound like you have several, possibly unrelated, problems. It's going to be fairly difficult to solve them long distance.

If I were you, I would seek out a really good, honest independent MB technician. I would have to think in your area there must be a few! I'd start by talking to the president of the local MBCA chapter (can find in the STAR magazine) and find out who the local club members take THEIR cars to... Trust me, they will know who's good!

Then, I'd let this tech spend an hour or two with the car just looking it over to see what you're facing. At that point, you'll be in a much better position to know whether to trade it or fix it; also, you can then make a list of what needs to be done, and how urgent each problem is, so you can plan out some of the more elective repairs.

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Steve
'93 400E

YES PLEASE I need a wiring diagram. I had no clue where to find one. My brother and nephew are on the way here now to start trying to track the culprit down on this car .. I would appreciate if you could possibly email me the diagram. And YES. a trip to Myrtle Beach may be in the making for you.
Thanks
Patricia

So far I am getting great help from each of you that are replying. Please keep sending info if you think of anything else to help solve my problem.
Thanks Again to all
Patricia

I am still curious what test your brother was doing. You say he had "unhooked the battery terminal" and "Found 4 fuses pulling 8 plus with cables OFF" The battery cables were disconnected? Pulling 8 plus of what? Volts?

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

We have seen 2 early W124's melt dash wiring harnesses.
Not clear on where it started-- but the smoke/smell desription concerns me.
Grounds were clean and tight.

Both of these cars had electrical draws, and lost various dash/a-c/radio functions.

Not an insulation degradation like the engine harnesses of later years.

These harnesses melted into a a big,charred black wad of goo behind the instrument cluster.

Replacement harness was in excess of $1000 for the parts, plus a heap of labor.

Both are still on the road todaym with no further electrical problems.

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Todd Haven
Parts Manager
MPH Automotive
Houston,TX

The instrument he used was one that had a current meter, etc.. on it. I was told for him to "unhook" the battery terminal when using it. I assume it was volts it was pulling.

I sent you the wiring diagram from another email account, with your name included in the subject line. This may take a few minutes to download if you are on dialup. Make sure you save it so you can locate it on your computer.

Let me know how your progress is going....Good luck.

__________________
'87 300E | 2.6 engine
Artic White - Navy blue interior, chrome rims, very clean and sharp!
91 300E
89 300E


The rest of my collection are just cars and trucks...no more "automobiles"...

Thanks so much for emailing the diagram... I will be watching for it and let you know how things go. Wish us luck here!!!