bad ground?

[lunchbox]

I have tomorrow to work on the car (my 73 280sel with the 4.5) and I remembered that the front left turn signal won't flash. Can someone help me out as to how the flashing mechanism works on these cars, so maybe I can find out why this light will turn on, but will not flash while turning.

[nhdoc]

Originally Posted by lunchbox

I have tomorrow to work on the car (my 73 280sel with the 4.5) and I remembered that the front left turn signal won't flash. Can someone help me out as to how the flashing mechanism works on these cars, so maybe I can find out why this light will turn on, but will not flash while turning.

First make sure all of the bulbs are good (front, rear and in dash), and also check the hazard light switch because I can remember in my W108 that switch affected the reliability of the turn signals.

[300SDog]

And if its just one turn signal that will not flash, then if it was me I'd start at the bulb and socket like doc says instead of immediately jumping on the hazard/flasher that controls them all. Fine grit sandpapering contacts and connections aint a bad idea and/or bend the copper/brass contacts that touch bulb contact points both front and rear left side. And yeah brown is the color of ground wires leading to the socket chassis, contacts there oughta be cleaned up too with brass brush or whatever.

Then if that doesnt work take a shot at the signal arm switch on the steering tree, again scuffing and tightening contacts or using a pencil eraser to clean the parts after dissasembly. Rule on Vintage MB's is that if something electric doesnt work then it probly just needs cleaning of oxidated internal metal parts. All of the electrical switches (including the hazard/flasher) on the 108 are pretty much DIY rebuildable, from an era that predates disposable parts.

[lunchbox]

Alright, I'll get to that

While I'm at it, can anyone tell me where I can find an antenna mast for my power antenna on my 73? Thank you very much.

Sam