W124 general electrical failure

[jbrasile]

I looked at a very nice 91 300E today, black on black, loaded with options including heated seats, ASR, rear shade, memory seats, self leveling rear suspension, etc...

Immaculate paint and interior. Car has sat for about 9 years, a/c is dead, fan does not come on even on defrost. Most of the internal electrics do not work:

1) Heated seats dead
2) Dome lights dead
3) Rear shade dead
4) Rear headrests do not go down.
5) Power locks dead

Basically the only thing that works are the power windows.

If anyone has had similar problems please let me know.

Tks and regards,

Joe Brasileiro
1980 450SEL

[suginami]

Did you check the fuses?

You might try twisting the fuses in the sockets, or just replace them. They aren't cheap, and they frequently look good, even when they are bad.

Also, I've never heard of a 300E sedan with self leveling rear suspension. Are you sure it has this?

[jbrasile]

Thank you for your answer Paul.

No, I did not check the fuses. What is strange is that so many systems are out that I find it hard believe fuses could be the cause.

And yes, the car does have self leveling rear suspension.

Regards,

Joe

[Ferdman]

Joe, I found it odd that you neglected to mention how the engine ran after this car sat for 9 years. As for the fan, check the 30amp strip fuse. Then replace all "torpedo" fuses in the fuse box. Before buying this car I'd resolve the electrical issues, or the car could be a "money pit".

[jbrasile]

Fred,

The car actually runs flawlessly. Starts right up, perfect idle. Excelent performance both from engine and transmission. The only major mechanical issue is the dreadfull self leveling rear end that as usual needs new struts and accumulators.

If I decide to pursue it, I will go look at it again and replace at least one of the fuses to see if any of the systems come back to life.

Tks for the tip.

Joe

[Kestas]

I think you're on the right track. When I buy a car I make sure everything works... lights, windows, locks, wiper,... anything that has a function should function. Anything that doesn't work, expect the worst. If fixing a problem was easy as replacing a fuse or lamp, I think the seller would have done so already.

Except for the door locks and suspension, the problems appear to be confined to "convenience" features.

The heated seat problem is probably a bad control module, which costs $300. I fixed mine for $15 by replacing the fried relays inside the module.

Do the headrest motors make noise? If so, the headrests may each have a broken $17 plastic gear. If not, it may be a dirty switch at the door panel.

The blower motor may just need new brushes. Try tapping it.

My car would be in the same condition as the one you're looking at if I didn't keep up with all the niggling problems.

[Ferdman]

Joe, the door locks depend on the vacuum pump under the rear seat (right side) functioning properly and the various lines holding vacuum. First check the fuse for the vacuum pump, then listen for the pump running when you're inside the car and press down on the driver's door lock.