I have a 280SE 1970 and I noticed when I was out in LA that my sat nav didn't charge ( lucky I got back to the hotel ok ) also the dash board lights didn't work and nor did the clock or the radio..?

now this does sound like a fuse or some thing I have checked the fuse box and all seam to bell out ok..

so is this a common fix and or problem for me to look for, or any other suggestions to where to look for this??

Cheers
Mark
London UK

The fuses can look and test good but corrosion between the end of the fuse and the holder can still kill the circuit.

Easy fix is to spin the fuses in the holders. Better fix is to disconnect the battery and clean everything up with a brass bristle brush and replace the fuses with ones made with brass or copper rather than aluminum.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

I full agree with cleaning or just replacing the alum fuses. Every car I get with these type of fuses gets this treatment.

True story: Picked up a 240 Volvo at a Police auction for $75. Needed a freeze plug and it drove great. Before I could check it out further I came home and it was gone!

Received a call from the wife, who had taken the car shopping, said the car had just died driving across a parking lot. I went to where she was, pulled the fuses, cleaned them and the prongs, everything worked great.

Try this and let us know how it goes.

Beware of replacement Chinese fuses with plastic bodies. On high-draw circuits, such as the heater blower, the plastic can actually melt! Try to get ceramic replacements.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I was astonished when cleaned the circuit board that connects the meters (how do You call it in english: meterhood?) and oh yeas: all the lights on and the which I thought broken clock started working!

Don't you just love it when you fix something without meaning to?

Double check your ground/earth. It might be loose or slightly corroded and the movement of the wiring bundle re-established the connection.