"new" w201...lots of questions... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesDean · #1 07-26-2006, 01:07 AM

hey everyone,

I have a few questions about my "new" w201 190 2.6

Today I undertook my "sound deadening project" using eDead V1SE2. When I did this for my w126, I used dynamat..I got 36 sq. ft for $99+Tax (discounted). When I ordered the eDead I got 20% off. I ended up getting 60 sq. ft. for ~$95 w/ shipping

While laying the eDead I found a few things in my trunk I was unfamilar with:

1) What is this for? It looks like a computer interface of somesort. I was thinking diagnostics. It looks like a parallel port. Maybe a fax machine lol.

2) I also found this wire disconnected. Clearly its aftermarket. It leads into my strobes (came with the car when I bought it) and splits off into pin #7 of the driver's side tail light. Now I only have strobes in the tails. The wire runs to engine bay but was cut at the battery. It just ends there. I assume it ran strobes in the headlights...Wonder what it would cost me to put strobes back in?

Later today I ran to Wal-Mart and picked up a wiring kit for my sub. I plan on putting a Kicker sub in the trunk. So I figured why not lay the wire now? While I was laying the wire I discovered several "non-mb" looking items...

3) the "white" connector...the tripple fuse (If its stock: I didnt know mb used mini-fuses like that) IGN / PWR / GND is labeled on one side and amperages on the other. To me it looks stock because of the indent in the black flooring. I dont even know if the black flooring is stock. It is?

4) The black connector in the picture above. Doesn't look like an MB connector to me.

5) These two unused connectors...are they for the factory alarm system? If so, apparently it was removed. But, If so, can i hookup an aftermarket system to the stock wiring?

6) My poor 3rd brake light is melted. Apparently someone put a 32watt bulb in..i dont think thats the right spec bulb for that. Everything else is 21watt. When I removed the tail lights to do my eDead I discovered a Halogen bulb in the "Back-up" white light. I found this to be a little strange.

7) Sorry for this being so long...
Is this the cruise control amplifer? I checked the service manual and its not nearly as helpful as the w126's manual was....If not what is it?

8) Oh I might as well show you the eDead project...Its not complete yet..as I need subs to test for where I need to put more...

I started out with two rolls slightly thicker than this...This roll is what I have left..best 90$ spent on sound deading:

It kinda looks bad I might put another layer on. Atleast now the trunk doesnt sound so "metallic' when it shuts...

Well, sorry for making such a long post. I figured it would be best if I put everything in 1 thread rather than multiple..I appreciate any answers anyone can provide...

Thanks again,

Kris

Snibble · #2 07-26-2006, 04:49 AM

Not a pro.. but I can try to answer a couple of questions.

#4 looks like its a plug with 3 fuses. Probably from someone's amp/sound system installation

The silver box does look like a cruise control amp. MY 190 doesn't have cruise, and the 3rd brake light looks different than yours.

Gilly · #3 07-26-2006, 06:15 PM

Snibble: Sure his center stoplight looks different than yours; his is melted!

#1 For either a factory CD changer or cell phone.
#2 Not sure on any of that, STROBES??? HUH? How about wiring for a trailer or something like that? Any sign the car had a hitch?
#3 Yeah think it's all aftermarket, certainly the fuse holder is, not 100% sure on the white one, that looks more stock. Maybe trace it back and look for butched wiring. Black stuff on floor is stock.
#4, I don't see a black connector in that pic, just the black funky fuse holder.
#5 I believe you are right, the ATA module would mount to the same plate the cruise amp does, and used 2 connectors, one basically is for operating the module itself, the other goes out to the doors, hood, trunk, the things that set off the alarm. Not sure if all of these were prewired from the factory or if someone just had a bad module and removed it from your car. I would find out if yours had it and if it did try finding a used module and fix it instead of the aftermarket route. maybe the aftermarket guys could utilize some of this wiring though. Not an aftermarket kinda guy so not sure.
#6 Yes it certainly is, what's the question?
#7 Yes it's the cruise amp, it's the newer style with the trimming plug, that's the small black box above the electrical connector. In this view on the top of that black metal plate it looks like the car DID have ATA, you can see the hole that at one time had a sheetmetal screw driven into it. The ATA box I believe would have been on the reverse side of that plate with one screw going into that hole. Would those 2 connectors reach that far?
#8 Ummm, keep up the good work?? Looks NASA-approved to me!
Gilly

JamesDean · #4 07-26-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

Snibble: Sure his center stoplight looks different than yours; his is melted!

#1 For either a factory CD changer or cell phone.
#2 Not sure on any of that, STROBES??? HUH? How about wiring for a trailer or something like that? Any sign the car had a hitch?
#3 Yeah think it's all aftermarket, certainly the fuse holder is, not 100% sure on the white one, that looks more stock. Maybe trace it back and look for butched wiring. Black stuff on floor is stock.
#4, I don't see a black connector in that pic, just the black funky fuse holder.
#5 I believe you are right, the ATA module would mount to the same plate the cruise amp does, and used 2 connectors, one basically is for operating Pthe module itself, the other goes out to the doors, hood, trunk, the things that set off the alarm. Not sure if all of these were prewired from the factory or if someone just had a bad module and removed it from your car. I would find out if yours had it and if it did try finding a used module and fix it instead of the aftermarket route. maybe the aftermarket guys could utilize some of this wiring though. Not an aftermarket kinda guy so not sure.
#6 Yes it certainly is, what's the question?
#7 Yes it's the cruise amp, it's the newer style with the trimming plug, that's the small black box above the electrical connector. In this view on the top of that black metal plate it looks like the car DID have ATA, you can see the hole that at one time had a sheetmetal screw driven into it. The ATA box I believe would have been on the reverse side of that plate with one screw going into that hole. Would those 2 connectors reach that far?
#8 Ummm, keep up the good work?? Looks NASA-approved to me!
Gilly

Thanks for the reply Gilly,

#1 I found the wire for the factory CD changer a white cable that look like the PS/2 wire on a PC only larger..

#2. i am pretty sure that that wire is for strobes...there Is strobes installed in the rear tail light...I would assume they would be in the front too..thats where this wire comes into play...to service the front ones...I dont think this car has ever seen a hitch..no signs of it at all.

#3 yeah ill have to do some tracing on those...definately looks aftermarket thou..

#4 the black connector...is there if u look at the orange wire that crosses the area its right next to the thick black wire that goes to that fuse box...it is about maybe 2" left of the 10amp fuse on that fuse box...definately looks aftermarket

#5 ATA = Anti-Theft? I managed to find a pretty well rated security system (http://www.directed.com/security/viper/viper_responder.asp) "Viper 791XV" online for about $200....I would do all the installing...

#6 No question lol.

#7 I don't know if they would or not. I never thought about it actually I assumed the module would be in that channel with the wires. you're probably right thou.

#8. Thanks

Thanks for the reply Gilly.

Kris

Gilly · #5 07-26-2006, 06:44 PM

OK, I see the other wire now, not sure on that either, also guessing aftermarket.
I see the other hole for the ATA module now to, to the right of the orange connector, yes ata=anti-theft alarm system.
There are a few different cables used for the CD and cell phone, I'm sure the one in pic #1 is one of them, so's the white one you mentioned. Obviously been quite awhile since I've messed with either one. Pretty obsolete crap by now, hell pretty obsolete by 1995..........
Gilly

Matt L · #6 07-26-2006, 06:55 PM

Why would you want strobes in any of the lights? Or do you like talking to friendly (or not-so) policemen?

If I bought a car with any strobes in it, I'd remove them and convert everything back to stock. And, of course, I'd have to have bought it at a discount to make up for the non-stock crap.

JamesDean · #7 07-26-2006, 08:51 PM

the lights arent converted to strobes there are actual strobe light bulbs in the tail lights (the lense not the sockets)...everything light wise is still stock...except i found a halogen light bulb in one of the sockets...ive never seen a halogen for a car tail light....

i dont use them on the streets...i just thought it was a neat thing...i didnt even know about it until I picked it up..

Matt L · #8 07-26-2006, 09:32 PM

I assumed that they weren't "converted to strobes," but that strobes had been added to the stock lamps. Just as bad, IMO.

I'd be worried about a "friend" switching them on while on the street. But as I'm not impressed in the least by such things, it devalues a car to me when such things are added. And I'm probably not the only buyer with such an opinion.

I have seen halogen taillamp bulbs. They used to be popular for the air-cooled VW crowd, as they could stand the excessive vibration a bit better. Normal cars don't need them.

JamesDean · #9 07-26-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

I assumed that they weren't "converted to strobes," but that strobes had been added to the stock lamps. Just as bad, IMO.

I'd be worried about a "friend" switching them on while on the street. But as I'm not impressed in the least by such things, it devalues a car to me when such things are added. And I'm probably not the only buyer with such an opinion.

I have seen halogen taillamp bulbs. They used to be popular for the air-cooled VW crowd, as they could stand the excessive vibration a bit better. Normal cars don't need them.

the strobes are hooked up to the "rear foglight" on the headlamp switch...the second detent. most of my friends arent familiar with mb and know that one can pull the knob out. it might devalue the car but im not about to rip it all out...that would be a waste..granted ill probably never use them but i tend not to get rid of things.

thanks for clearing up the halogen thing...i never knew they were used in tail lights...I would think they would heat up more and cause somthing like what happend to my 3rd tail light...if it goes i'll just toss in a standard bulb...cheaper i think...

thanks again,

kris