No brake lights on '87 300 SDL. Have checked bulbs, fuse, and switch at brake pedal. All appear to be working. What to check next?

Try the fuse check again. Take it out, put in a new one. Clean the retainer clips for the fuse. Seems there have been a number of electrical problems around here lately associated with corroded, cracked fuses..

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Jeff Lawrence
1987 300e
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

I've been thinking about changing all my fuses for quite a while now :) Can you recommend a deoxidizer for electrical contacts? Should I use Flitz? Rubbing alcohol? Naptha? Cramolin?

The best (non-chemical) cleaner for fuse contacts on MB is SCOTCH-BRITE. It is an abrasive 'sponge-like' material, green in color, and can be picked up at any grocery, hardware, or automotive parts stores.

Just wrap it over the contact, and rub up and down. The oxidation is cleared in seconds.

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William
76 240D (W115) - 550K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles

A well known (and expensive) contact enhancer is a product called Stabilant 22. I have bought it at Carquest stores (unfortunately they renumber it and I don't remember the number).

The concept behind its use has to do with the microscopic surface of contacts. They are actually not smooth; but full of peaks and valleys. The product fills the valleys with a conductive coating.

Its greatest use is in low voltage computer connections.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Wow. I already have a bunch of Scotchbrite under my kitchen sink. :) Great tip. Should I disconnect both the battery terminals before cleaning all the fuse contacts and replacing the fuses or is enough just to pull the negative terminal?

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 171K mi

Pulling the NEG terminal should be sufficient. As long as the circuit is broken by disconnecting the ground, you should be fine.

Good Luck with your house-keeping,

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William
76 240D (W115) - 550K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles