w108 068 280sel 4.5 electrical - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ilpatino · #1 09-23-2015, 05:53 PM

Hi everybody.

After waiting 3 months for it, today my recently acquired W108 068 finally arrived.

It is quite the masterpiece, totally original, and 100% rustfree. I am looking hard to fin evidence of restoration, but I cannot find it. It's my reed-green beauty!

2 questions; When I use the blinkers, or the hazard, the blinkers blink very, very fast. The clicking-sound inside the car from the realy clicks also very fast. Is this problem due to a faulty relay, or could it be that the lights from the blinker are incorrect.

Second, I found a mysterious lightbulb next to the steering column, hidden from sight, under the dash and underpadding, which lights up when I put the car in reverse. Does anybody know what the real function of that light is?

kind regards, and thanx for any input!

Graham · #2 09-23-2015, 07:06 PM

Fast blinking is sometime because one of the bulbs is not lighting up. I have that problem on my 72 SL. Front bulbs don't make good contact, so rear only flash and very quickly. Sure fire way of knowing fronts are not working - again

PS: Sounds like a great car.

JMela · #3 09-23-2015, 07:17 PM

also make certain your bulbs are the correct voltage for the application.

BWhitmore · #4 09-23-2015, 10:27 PM

Mercedes vehicles like to use genuine Mercedes bulbs (resistance). You probably have a bad bulb causing the fast blinking. The extra bulb that lights in reverse only was probably added by a previous owner for some reason.

ilpatino · #5 09-24-2015, 03:14 AM

Hi Guys,

Here a picture of the reed-green 108 068.

Regarding the ultra-fast blinking; it seems that the under-dash relay can after time develop issues with the bi-metallic strip that regulates the blinking. After 43 years in operation, it is not uncommon.

The under-dash light (which only lights when I put the car in reverse) remains a total mystery, though.

A new (little) problem; I noticed a fairly big hydraulic leak, from the power-steering. I have not yet pin-pointed it, but of course I hope it is just a failed o-ring or something like that.

Many thanks for al the input!

ilpatino · #6 09-24-2015, 07:44 AM

Hi Guys,

decided to pull the blinker relay. It's separate from the hazard-switch and easily pulled from under the dash. partnumber is bosch 0 335 200 007 (see pictures from 5 to 1). I am going to look at it under a good light, but maybe it's best to look for a new one anyway.
I also found out that the mysterious under-dash light, which I now found out to come on whenever the gearbox is engaged, so also when going forward, is supposed to go into a "fasten-seatbelt" sign. Mystery resolved

Thanks for the help!

vandor · #7 09-25-2015, 11:16 PM

Nice car!
My turn signals also flash very quickly. I plan on buying a new electronic flasher (I use one on my 1971 Fiat) and adapting it. It is less sensitive to voltage fluctuations or different kinds of bulbs.

ilpatino · #8 10-01-2015, 03:08 AM

Vandor,

I installed a brand new blinker unit, easily found and replaced under the dash, and the blinking is now fixed. As well as the hazard, the blinkers now function "einwandfrei."

So don't muck about, save yourself a lot of time and hassle and buy a new unit!

Graham · #9 10-01-2015, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilpatino

Vandor,

I installed a brand new blinker unit, easily found and replaced under the dash, and the blinking is now fixed. As well as the hazard, the blinkers now function "einwandfrei."

So don't muck about, save yourself a lot of time and hassle and buy a new unit!

I spent yesterday R&Ring the front turn signal lights on my 72 R107. Added a little solder to the contact nubs as well as freed up and extended the springs a little. Solved problem.

In my case, the flasher was flashing very fast. When I looked at the front flasher lights, they were working, but very dimly. Improving contact between bulb and base reduced resistance. The original blinker relay works fine. Over 25+ years of owning several old Benzes, this has happened several times. So may be an idea to check the bulb contacts before buying a new flasher unit.

ilpatino · #10 10-01-2015, 02:20 PM

Hi Graham,

well, I did check bulbs and connections as well. They were in an original, but very clean state, so that's why changing the blinking unit solved my problem. Some bulbs were quite old and "dark" so I changed them all. The old ones were not broken, but the rear light-units and blinkers now shine like new!

thanks for the input!