my temp display in my 87 300E no longer works. when it was working it displayed temps like +120 degrees ferinhight on 75 degree days. in the colder months it worked correctly.
one day it just stopped working completely. there is a cable cut that runs along the left side of the engine compartment.( not sure if this was possibly cut by a tech working on the car before I realized the gauge was dead) which is the same diameter cable used on the temp sensor located under the front bumper. this cable has 4 conductors,
dose the temp sensor have four conductors? the colors are I believe: red, green, black, and a bare ground wire. I cannot find the other end to this cut cable so I can't hook it up and see what starts working. anyone have any suggestions?

also, I was looking threw the parts shop tonight. great prices! anyway, I need the outside power window seal strips.
the horizontal rubber things that look and work like windshield wipers. this is the best way I can explain it.
can someone give me the part no.? I cant seem to find it in the search.
your comments and questions would be greatly appreciated!!
thanks,
Adam

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

You could send in a information request for the part numbers in PartsShop.

It sounds like this is the cable for the outside temp sensor. You should replace the sensor. It comes with a new cable. IF it was reading improperly, the sensor was on its way out.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

The temp. sensor cable is only a two wire cable with a heavy smooth black, round cover. The wire colors are Green and Brown. The replacement sensor comes with about six feet of the same cable, but you only need to use enough of the lead to get the splice up out of the weather.The length of the wire has no effect on the accuracy of the gauge. Now if your gauge has no display you have another problem. I'd first solder and shrink tube the cut leads back together and see if that has any effect. I'm doubting that it will, but it's not normal to disconnect any thing in your engine bay by cutting it. But then you already knew that.
Good luck!

thanks for everyones help.
but the problem with the cut cable is that i cannot find the other end! i have no idea what this wire leads to!

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Adam,
The outside temperature display cable at the instrument cluster does have 4 wires (green and brown for the sensor and 2 others for power). However, I'm quite sure that your cut orphan cable is something else.

Almost certainly your problem is a dead sensor - which can be easily replaced for less than $5. When the thermistor fails, causing the resistance value to fall outside the display range, you will get a blank display.

Earlier I posted the diagnostic and replacement procedures for the sensor, as well as the relevant part nos. I suggest you test your sensor cable with a resistor as described (and leave that orphan cable alone).

Let me know if you have difficulty finding the procedures or have any further questions.
Good Luck, Barrie

The display has got 4 wires, the outer sensor has only 2 (Rocket's) green and brown...

When you start at the sensor's side, the cable can easily be tracked down. It is an additional cable and is routed separately; it is not stuck into a complete wire harness.

Solder a new/used sensor (with some cable length) to the current cable or install it completely into the gauge.

greetingz,

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