newbie..my car won't cut off - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mercedes travis · #1 03-15-2006, 09:50 PM

Hello everyone, I just signed up to the mercedesshop..and also just recently purchased a 1983 Mercedes 300D-T..though there are several problems..I am working through them and making good progress. The one thing I can not figure out and desperately want to, is that the car will not shut off by the key. Each time, I have to pop the hood and push the "stop" lever. Can anyone tell me what to do? Also my drivers side corner light is busted..advice on where to go to purchase one for cheap? By the way the car has 301,975 miles and the drive from North Carolina to South Carolina..the odometer didnt move at all..but I think today it started moving again, and I only paid $450 for her..thanks for any help

fz500sel · #2 03-15-2006, 10:29 PM

vacuum problem is most likely your shut-off problem. You can download step by step vacuum troubleshooting on the web. Also do a search for "vacuum shut off" and I'm sure you will have plenty to read about.

As for your corner light, you can find them alot of times on eBay. Go to eBay motors and do a search for "w123" and you should find one there.

TheDon · #3 03-15-2006, 10:37 PM

for the light search here also on the parts forum

i have the same problem with my stop lever it doesnt really work.. the linkage needs to be adjusted

Biodiesel300TD · #4 03-15-2006, 11:01 PM

Welcome to the Forum!
Your shut off problems is vacuum related. You have a leak somewhere.
Time to invest in a MityVac
Check out Diesel Giants Vacuum Trouble Shooting Guide. This will walk you through the basics of finding leaks.

greasybenz · #5 03-15-2006, 11:06 PM

happen recently to my friends 81 300SD here is a pic the orange outline are the vacuum lines check to see if they are all connected usually when one of them comes loose it will prevent the car from shutting off. If they are all connected have them checked at a repair shop for a leak in any of the lines.

mercedes travis · #6 03-16-2006, 03:19 PM

Wow thanks a lot for the info..I will definitely check in to what you all advise..I know where to come from now on when I have questions..matter of fact..if my dash lights (gauge lights) aren't coming on..do you think its probably just the bulb(s)?

Pete Burton · #7 03-16-2006, 03:24 PM

It's probably the rheostat. Small knob on left side of dash that also is used to reset trip odometer. Rotate it back and forth repeatedly at night until you "see the light"

mercedes travis · #8 03-17-2006, 09:03 PM

Well twisting and turning the rheostat didnt do anything...guess i will go looking for a bulb

JimmyL · #9 03-17-2006, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercedes travis

Well twisting and turning the rheostat didnt do anything...guess i will go looking for a bulb

Sometimes the innards of the rheostat go bad. Fairly common. You just remove the instrument cluster and solder a wire connecting the two wire strips on back of the rheostat. Here is a link that shows a picture of the back of the instrument cluster. Rheostat is bottom right, and you can see the two strips that need to be soldered together.
Use the search function above, advanced search. Always select "diesel discussion" as the "search in forum". Narrows down the answers, and you want the info from the folks here anyway.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=145071&highlight=rheostat

**edit**
FYI, the dash lights are very dim even when working. Also, if the rheostat is bad, none of the dash lights will be working. There are 3 bulbs that illuminate the speedometer area I believe. I think the rheostat also controls the back lighting of the buttons in the climate control area and the wiper button/etc... area.

Diesel Giant · #10 03-18-2006, 09:39 AM

Did you get it fixed?

mercedes travis · #11 04-09-2006, 06:08 PM

Hello again, and I just want to say a quick thank you to whoever reads this and helps me out. I am convinced that the rheostat is my problem because no lights on my instrument cluster work (except blinker and coil light, seat belt and all those) But the instruments themselves do not light up, neither do the climate controls or the auto windows, rear defrost, sun roof..etc. I think I could follow the link posted about soldering a wire across the rheostat..but how do I get the cluster out of the dash? Could anyone direct me to a post on the forum where I could get help..thanks again

mercedes travis · #12 04-09-2006, 06:11 PM

OH, I almost forgot I also need to get to my instruments because my RPM and odometer gauges work sometimes but most of the time dont..

Austin85 · #13 04-09-2006, 06:29 PM

Try the DIY links here and also the Search tab...
Also DieselGiants site is full of pics..

ANd post some photos of that Ol' B*****D!!!!!

P.E.Haiges · #14 04-10-2006, 12:08 PM

Mercedes,

The odometer number wheels sometimes slip on the metal shaft. Some epoxy or miracle glue will usually fix them. To remove the instrument cluster, work thin pieces of metal along side the cluster and work it out.

Take the brown vacuum line off at the opposite end of where it is connected to the IP. With the engine running, suck on the end of the vacuum line and notice if you can feel a vacuum. No vacuum, the diaphram is bad. If the shutoff solonoid is working correctly, sucking on it should off the engine. In that case the problem is the vacuum pump, key switch or vaacuum leak.

P E H