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  #1  
Old 11-15-2015, 07:59 AM
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76 w115 radio/dash lights inoperable

Hello everyone!

Just yesterday, I brought home my first vintage MB. It's an immaculately preserved 1976 240D. 74k miles, 100% original, and best I can tell, 99% operational. It looks like a brand new 40 year old car.

The 1% (so far) that I've found to be non-operational consists of the dash lights and the old Becker radio.

I've found the fuse panel on the driver's front fender well, and the #7 fuse has been replaced. It's the only one that is showing on the fuse panel legend as affecting the dash lights. Of course the radio isn't listed anywhere in the fuse panel. Is there a separate accessory panel I haven't found yet? Perhaps the radio and dash lights share a common ground I should check?

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  #2  
Old 11-15-2015, 11:50 AM
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Location: Los Angeles (Altadena)
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Q1: Is your 1976 240D a W123 model or a W115 model? Transition year.

The most common problem with dash lights is a non-working potentiometer (panel dimmer). It can be bypassed so that they are always on the brightest. Which isn't too bright in either car.

If you replace fuse 7, do the OTHER THINGS on fuse 7 work, but still no panel lights?

As for the becker, are you saying it doesn't work, or that there are no lights on it, or both? The radio in a W114/W115 may be fused in an auxiliary fuse box (with one or two fuses) on the right side of the engine bay (passenger side) near the firewall. Better instead to test power going to the radio.

The panel lights do not control the illumination of the radio. That is either on or off depending on whether the radio is on or off. Often there is an in-line fuse behind the radio. This is not likely to be blown. More likely that it is disconnected somewhere.
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  #3  
Old 11-15-2015, 11:51 AM
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Ooops. Guessing by your screen name the car is a W115 240D. Cool!
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  #4  
Old 11-15-2015, 06:24 PM
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I found the two accessory fuses, just where you said they'd be. They are original and the contacts need cleaning. I'll be changing them, and hopefully the radio will work. As for the dash lights? I don't plan on driving it much at night anyway.
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  #5  
Old 11-15-2015, 08:24 PM
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Location: Flyover State
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A 76 W115 is wonderful to drive at night.

You can finagle the instrument cluster out by removing the under dash panel on the drivers side, contort your hand up in there and remove the speedo cable, oil pressure line and electrical socket connection. Then it will pull out and you can inspect/replace the rheostat.
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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6
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  #6  
Old 11-15-2015, 10:27 PM
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If there is power to the radio and it keeps blowing fuses then the radio will need repair. Don't toss it out as it can be rebuilt and a aux jack added at the same time. The cost is about the same as a new low end radio and the Becker will sound great once it is rebuilt.

If the radio comes on but there are no lights showing then the bulbs are very likely burned out. These can be replaced and you can get the bulbs from Pelican if they still have any. Or you could try the dealer who can always order them.
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  #7  
Old 11-16-2015, 09:27 AM
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I have zero power to the radio, but will try this afternoon after I've had the chance to change the fuse. I found that Becker Audio is only about an hour away from me, so a restoration will be the route I will take. I might send it to them anyway to have the audio jack added. The rheostat isn't something I'm likely to tackle at first. Maybe a winter project.
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  #8  
Old 11-16-2015, 10:48 AM
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Location: Central Ky
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pull dash pod and bypass rheostat, easy job, make sure you ground pod on return. I had Becker add an Ipod jack to my old unit on my 72, sounded OK and keep the look vintage. just remember old electronics and speakers are , well old technology. Don't expect digital sound
Congrats on your car and welcome
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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
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  #9  
Old 11-16-2015, 10:49 AM
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Pictures PLEASE
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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace
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  #10  
Old 11-16-2015, 05:48 PM
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Here's a link to my google drive pics of the car.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B8T1m3oBxv2HQWxKMDdrU19Idzg
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  #11  
Old 11-16-2015, 10:43 PM
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Your car is amazing. I know envy is not a great emotion, but I am envious. I really don't understand how it could be in that condition without some sort of re-conditioning. Truly incredible. Your car is a "Mercedes Motoring quality" vehicle which he sells for $25-$30K. Here is a similar vehicle, though with a black interior:
Mercedes Motoring - 1976 240D Diesel Sedan

My w115 looks like crap compared to yours, but, and I hate to burst your bubble, my copy of the MB service manual has less grease on it than yours. So take that, hotshot!
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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).
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  #12  
Old 11-17-2015, 07:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shortsguy1 View Post
Your car is amazing. I know envy is not a great emotion, but I am envious. I really don't understand how it could be in that condition without some sort of re-conditioning. Truly incredible. Your car is a "Mercedes Motoring quality" vehicle which he sells for $25-$30K. Here is a similar vehicle, though with a black interior:
Mercedes Motoring - 1976 240D Diesel Sedan

My w115 looks like crap compared to yours, but, and I hate to burst your bubble, my copy of the MB service manual has less grease on it than yours. So take that, hotshot!
Wow, thank you! I knew when I saw the car that it was something special. I love hearing about it though. As for the service manual, it is actually incorrect. The PO must have found it when going through her father's things (it was his car, he passed away in 2009). It's the manual for cars starting 1959. I have it for sale on Amazon and have a complete set of correct ones coming from DIYmanuals.com. Hopefully the new one has less grease.

$25-$30k is wonderful news too. I gave about a third of that for it.

No reconditioning, the paint has the correct patina all over. Inside reeks of old German car. Meticulous recorded service since new. Radiator hoses date coded 1/76. Continental belts. The spare says "Made in Germany". Michelin XZX 17r14s with no DOT label. I could go on (and would love to, I can't get enough of talking about this thing). The PO says it hasn't seen rain since 1982.
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  #13  
Old 11-17-2015, 10:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 76w115 View Post
I have zero power to the radio, but will try this afternoon after I've had the chance to change the fuse. I found that Becker Audio is only about an hour away from me, so a restoration will be the route I will take. I might send it to them anyway to have the audio jack added. The rheostat isn't something I'm likely to tackle at first. Maybe a winter project.
If power is not getting to the radio there is no reason to have the radio restored. It is probably just fine. Find out why there isn't power going to the radio.
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  #14  
Old 11-17-2015, 11:15 AM
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Location: Flyover State
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That is a beautiful time capsule, I love that color. I wish my 300D was that straight but it has 434,000 miles. . .
Was the air intake grill under the wipers body colored on the 240D's, not chrome?
__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6
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  #15  
Old 11-17-2015, 11:54 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 83
This one is body colored, and I'm sure it hasn't been changed. Maybe it was an option?

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