Recently purchased a 1990 300E, chassis W124. Runs great with a few problems like a broken odometer, one rear window operator, and console veneer damaged by spilled liquid.
The retainer clips for the sun visor were broken and the contacts powering the visor mirror lights were dangling. I replaced the retainer clips just before a 1500 mile road trip.
After replacing the visor retainer the radio had no power, the clock stopped, and the dome light with seat belt indicator either would not come on or would flash. After about 15-20 minutes of driving the clock would come on, the visor lights worked and the radio would work if the code was entered. Every time the ignition was swithced off, the scenario repeated.
On the last stop before home, all the console lights went out, the outside temp light went out, and all failed to come back after the ususal 15 minutes.
#5 fuse was OK but replaced it just in case. Instrument dimmer works fine. If it were a bad ground, seems it would be intermittent, not a delayed action. Any idea where to start looking??????