On a 1983 300sd, does anyone know what the idiot light between the fasten seatbelt light and the outside temperature gauge is? It is a red light with no icon; it comes on periodically for approximately 1 second.
Thanks

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1983 300sd 190,xxx

Not sure, don't have one to check, but a glowing red light sounds like the warning that your charging system is not up to snuff and you are running on the battery when the light comes on. A little higher engine speed and you likely see the light go out. Typical sign of brushes wearing out on the alternator. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

... the 83 SD has no outside temp gauge... you must have a newer cluster in your car, and they put the bulbs in the wrong place.
I agree, a wavering light sounds like the battery indicator, it could also be the brake light though.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I’m pretty sure that the exterior temperature gauge is stock in an 83sd. The manual also calls the gauge out in the dash description.
Just replaced the alternator it is charging fine, the alternator/battery light is functional and is to the left of the temperature gauge as id the break and break pad wear indicator lights.

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1983 300sd 190,xxx

Nope, we have an '83 300SD, and it has no temp gauge. It was not stock till '84 or '85 I believe....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

My friends 84 SD has the temperature gauge.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

How about a photograph of the instrument cluster in question?

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

any chance your car has the airbag option?

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

[QUOTE=AdrianMiura;2028017]I’m pretty sure that the exterior temperature gauge is stock in an 83sd. The manual also calls the gauge out in the dash description. QUOTE]

Nope.

it's possible it's an option in that year... but my 83's to not have it. both have mbtex seats though, so they could be lower optioned cars.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

No mbTex in this car.
Sorry my digital camera is non functional. However I’m thinking it may be the seatbelt light. I will need to remove the cluster to confirm this but the PO was involved in an accident and the front apron was replaced I have the suspicion that the cluster was also removed and either replaced or put back with the light in the wrong position.
I would confirm that with just removing the seat belt while the engine is running, but the light in suspect and the seatbelt light don’t come on consistently.

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1983 300sd 190,xxx