I have posted a few times about my project car.

I bought the 87 300D with the knowledge of a "minor" wiring issue. I quickly figured out about 1/3 of the harness was toast. I mean groups of wires melted together into a solid piece of plastic. I started to think 700 was way too much for the car. But it does have a great rust free body and it's black.

I thought the issue was minor so I decided to fix it wire by wire. Once I figured out the amount of damage done it was too late to abandon all the work I had done and replace the harness with a donor one. Yesterday I pulled the dash and center console to inspect wires. For 3 weekends prior I have been replacing wires in the fuse box. The problem was an amateur install of stereo equipment. Complete with fuses wrapped in foil.

Today after I replaced several wires from the console I did my ground checks. I installed the battery and checked current drain... zero(a good sign). I then checked for current draw across each fuse position(no fuses in yet). Only one fuse pulled about 200 Ma.. still a good sign. I installed fuses and confirmed the hot ones had voltage, check. Went to acc position on the key and checked proper fuses for voltage, check. Same for run, check.

Then I held my breath and started it. Fired right up. EVERYTHING works. The last time I had it running NOTHING worked but the right side mirror. I need a blower motor but other than that I am good. I even drove it around the parking lot without a dash or console.

Best part was the temp gauge went up to something right below 80 and stayed put. NO head issues... I am very happy.

Andrew

PS... I dont have a digital camera but I am going to get one asap.

Congrats and yes, pictures, please.

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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

Way to go!

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RT


1984 300D---Sold
1995 E420 - 106K - Brilliant Silver Metallic/Orion Gray --- Sold
1984 300SD - 151K Manganese Brown Metallic/Mostly Black --- Sold
1982 240D - 79K - Manila Beige/Palomino---Sold

Excellent!

PM or email me if you need a used blower & motor.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

The PO of my 82 swapped in an aftermarket stereo and butchered up everything related to it and I am daunted by that, good for you for sticking with it.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

I looked at an '87 with similar wiring problems, the fusebox was full of tin-foil. That and some rust prompted me to run away at $500, not worth offering less.

Good for you for repairing a rust-free one, pretty much any rust-free '87 is worth the effort IMO.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Today was the first drive!!!

I do have bugs to work out. I blew that darn number nine fuse.... I am really starting to hate the number nine circuits. I discovered my drivers window will not go back up if put all the way down. I have a tail light that stays lit while the car is on.... some bugs for sure.

This is the fastest diesel I have ever driven!!

0-60 was quicker than ****e. Turbo screams. I got on the highway and she wanted the speed and I let her hit 100mph. Nice puff of black smoke when you kick it down. Brakes are a little hard. Drivers seat sucks, but I have a new one sitting here.

All in all I think I am going to really like this car.

Sounds like an 87 300D alright. Congrats and welcome to the world of the 603. I know it's not a race car but my 87 is a dream to drive, especially on the highway ... nothing like it.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Cool. I just did a engine harness on a '80s GM. What a nightmare. It seems like it would have been easier for you to get a harness off of a junkyard car and install it rather than reconstruct the whole thing.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine