1983CD Turbo Coupe

Well guys..I bought it!...
I took all the advice given here and drove this Coupe back from DC. Man was it smooooth.
Here is an update on what I have found wrong with the car so far. I still need a little info on some of these minor things.
Transmission and engine seem fine. Glow Plugs stayed on maybe 10 seconds..car had been sitting in the cold for 24 hours....started right up, so no engine strain there.
The body is in excellent condition from a blemish standpoint. Only one scratch about 1 1/2 inches on driver door. Front bumper rubber missing. Interior is excellent. Only one rub spot about the size of a silver dollar low on the driver side where the person has been sliding in and out.
Here is a list of what is wrong. Any input is appreciated.
>Rust - could only find a tad of rust under the trunk along where it is screwed in. None anywhere else. Trunk is getting moisture inside under the hood. I assume the seal needs replacing.
>Seals need to be replaced around side windows eventually.
>Power antenna needs replacing and tied into switch on dash.
>Vacuum system for doors isnt working. Probably tubing and or compression leaks.
>Cruise control won't work.
>Odometer is messed up along with the trip part.They will turn a mile every now and again.
>Tachometer only works intermittantly.
>Right window works every now and again. Could be a short.
I personally feel it is well worth the price I paid. It does need a good washing and a wax job as it has been sitting virtually still for a year. It has been serviced and cranked often but not really driven.
Any information you can provide on the things listed will be most appreciated, especially about trunk moisture.
Oh, one other thing. The H/AC works but damn it's confusing..lol...
Thanks

apollo21
1983 300CD Turbo Diesel

[Larry Delor]

For the tach problem, you can do a search on this subject and find a bunch of info, including a possible temporary fix, and another one on possibly being able to repair it yourself. As far as the trip odo goes, after removing my cluster and taking a gender at all of the parts invilved, it turned out that a little wheel had undone it self. I pushed it firmly back into place and so far it has worked for about 50k miles with no problems. I have yet to figure out why there is an antenna switch, when on my car, whenever I turn on the radio, the antenna goes up automatically...even if I try to lower the antenna by pressing the switch, it just goes back up again. (weird) There are some repair kits for the power antenna, depending on the type of problem that you may have (a closer inspection of connections is warranted).
Have fun! (and remember to use OEM parts)
-Larry

[MikeTangas]

Chances are the diaphrams on the passenger side are shot. You can get a complete assembly from the PartsShop, simple matter of removing the inner panel and unbolting the unit then bolting in the new one. Or you can obtain just the rubbers from another aftermarket source. I haven't tried the rubbers yet but am thinking about getting some. I have rebuilt diaphram units using the better rubbers from removed units though.

Since you only have two doors, there should only be one diaphram unit and quite a few less connections.

[andy]

I have a 1980 300cd with the same moisture problem in my trunk. Check under the plastic trunk liner on both sides to see if the drain is clogged. The liners come out pretty easy, and if the drains are clogged you might have standing water. As far as the rust goes, check the bottom of the doors where the weather stripping is attatched. Also, check behind the passenger side kick panel. Dirt can get trapped up there behind the front tire and cause rust as it did in mine. Next time it rains, check under the passenger side carpet to see if it's wet. andy

[cth350]

water in the trunk probably means that the rear windshield seal needs replacing. It is easiest to buy the part and let a glass shop do the actual work.

Also, now is a good time to buy the service manuals. Either on paper or on CD. Don't wait until you're in a bind.

-CTH

[Jay]

Apollo21, The tach can often be repaired buy removing the top of the tach sending unit;on the drivers side inner fender;and placing a cigarette filter under the cap.The filter presses the contacts together. IT WORKED FOR ME. Good luck, Jay PS Try this page for your cruise problems. http://www.mbz.org/resources/articles/electronics/