1988 300e/260e questions
 

Hello!

I just bought a 1988 300e for a very good price... there are a few cosmetic issues... but generally in good operating condition.... I registered with my insurance and the vin# shows the car is a 260e on the policy... there's a 300e badge on the back... is this kosher?

also there's no manual and a sunburst light (a yellow dashboard signal that's a circle with lines pointing out all around the circle like rays of the sun... what does it mean?

Thanks for your help

BTW I paid $1600 the odometer read 135.000 but I realized after I got it home it doesn't work... is this a bad deal?

Ken

It is most likely a 260E with a 300E trunk badge. This happens more often than it should. The price you paid is very reasonable.

If the car runs and shifts well and blows cold air, then you got a solid deal.

Have Fun,

-GH

At some point, the 260E in the USA had a 300E 2.6 badge (300E on the left of the trunk, the 2.6 on the right side).

Or, as it happens now and then, if it should have a 260E plate, it was replaced by a 300E by a previous owner.

The warning light you mention is the "bulb out" warning. Either a headlight, fog light, stop light, turning light or corner light is out (front or rear).

The check the system, turn on your car and don't touch the lights or the brakes. The warning should remain off. If it comes on at start without touching the brake pedal or turning on any lights, then there is a short circuit.

After turning on the ignition place your foot on the brake pedal, if the warning light comes on is a rear brake light. If nothing happens, then turn one notch to the right the light switch. If the warning comes on is one of the corner lights. If nothing happens, pull the switch out one notch. If the warning comes on, if one of the fog lamps. No warning? Turn one more notch to the right the light switch. If the warning comes on, if one of the headlights (low beam). Nothing again? Turn on your high beams. Nothing again? Turn on your directionals.

When you figure out which light system is at fault, a visual check is necessary to asses which side is out.

Now, if all light are working properly and the warning light do comes on when doing the check, then a bulb with an improper impedance is being used.

Hope this helps.