I just bought '88 560SEL and the fan for the climate control does not work unless after the car is started you turn the ignition key slightly counter-clockwise. Is this a bad ignition tumbler?

Great site. I've spent hours going through past threads and everyone is exceptionally helpful.

Rob m.

Robo, it does sound as if there is a problem in the Ignition Switch. But not the Tumbler as this is the locking mechanism. I would have the Electrical portion of the switch checked. With luck it is the electrical side of the switch then you won't have to contend with new Keys. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
Let's hot wire the rascal

While we're on the subject of flaky ignition switches, I have noticed on my 84 300D that when the weather is cold, sometimes the windshield wipers will scan once after the engine cranks. Sometimes when shutting the engine off, the wipers will "bump" a little bit, again only in cold weather. Has anybody else run into that ?

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

When I start my 87 300D turbo I get the same response. When
I turn the key on to wait for the glow plugs, the wiper will usually jump an inch or two and sometimes wipe the windshield. This seems to happen at most any temperature.

Also, I am unable to unlock the car from the driver's door as the alarm is not deactivated. It will go off when I open the door. If I unlock the car from the passenger door or the trunk, there is no problem. The trunk lock was replaced 2 or three years ago.

Dealer says $625 for lock tumbler kit and another $400 for installation.

Are there any other ideas or alternatives ?

--Craig

This is a common problem with the ignition switch, it doesn't degrade and many owners decide to just live with it

Wipers on a Benz that start to move without anyone switching them on usually start to move because of a lack of battery power.
I don't know whether the "84 330D of Palangi is a W123 or W124 model, but the 124 models have a combi-relais for rear defroster, indicators and windscreen wipers. If the power of the battery is insufficient the wipers can start to move.

Donald Swinford mentioned a set of new keys necessary for a new ignition switch...mercedes leaves you the possibility to order any lock (door, trunk or ignition) conforming the ones used on the car. It take s a week or three to order a lock by chassis#, but then you will still need only 1 key.

Craig, the alarm system is not that difficult on a Benz; it is very well possible that you can repare the tumble/alarm switch in the door handle yourself...

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

Palang and Robo, you heard it, check your battery voltage. Many things happen with low battery voltage. Watch for check engine light at low voltage as well. Good news about new keys on a W124. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
fully charged,
been there

Thanks for the battery tip. Last time I checked it, was 13.9 volts no load, but that was about a year ago. Battery is about 3 years old. Car didn't always do this. Will check it tomorrow.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Many times we think our maintainance free batteries are just that. But they ain't. Make certain yours doesn't have cell caps for adding water. If yes fill as required. In addition to checking the no-load voltage, you should check the specific gravity using a hydrometer. The S.G. should be at least 1.275 with all cells even. If difference of 0.25 after battery has been charged, the battery is defective and should be replaced. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
fully loaded
no dead cells on me

Just to get things straight: a lack or shortage of power can be caused by a bad grounding or malfunctioning of the combi-relais as well. It is not necessarily the battery gone bad, but can also be something like a burned solder in the combi-relais (like on my C250D), heavy corosion in a connector or on a grounding...

greetingz,

__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com(the Netherlands)

Just to get things straight is what all members attempt to do. It goes with out saying that the ground circuit, all of those tan wires grouped together or singlely, are the heart of any Benz electrical circuit. That is a part of testing for low battery voltage at a point. still, TEST the source before you test the extension. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
one wire genuis
two wire idiot