I followed some of the previous posts on this great forum and installed one of those el cheapo fleabay china keyless entry systems on the '86 300sdl. I had to disconnect the factory MB alarm as it comes on for no apparent reason at times - I did this by disconnecting the black connecter plug on the side of the 'brain' on the passenger side floorboard.

The unit works well and was fairly straight forward to install; however, now there is this strange 'ticking' sound that comes out from the area where the alarm 'brain' is. It almost sounds like a relay actuating continuously. I haven't checked for a draw on the battery, but I'm guessing there is some as I left the car at my parents place for the past 2 weeks. Went to pick it up last night and the battery is dead. This is a new battery, and I just put in a new alternator last year when the previous one seized, so I know the general charging system is in good health. Any ideas what this 'ticking' sound is?

As a side note, the keyless entry is reversed. I checked the connections & double checked them, but I couldn't figure out why, so I attributed it on the "china effect". In summary, the 'lock' button actually unlocks, and the 'unlock' button locks. However, this doesn't bother me, as the main reason I did this is to aviod having to use the key in the door to lock/unlock.

Thanks for any input!

When I installed my el cheapo alarm unit I used 2 relays... if you had done so you can easily fix the lock/unlock reversal.

Does your unit have an alarm feature? If it has one then maybe that's the clicking you're hearing... meaning...it's constantly in alarm mode or something.

I suggest you first tackle the lock/unlock reverse thing you're experiencing.

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85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project

Thanks for the info - that seems to make sense now. If its in constant alarm mode that's probably contributing to the draw.

Is there any write-up on how to address the reversed lock/unlock issue?

Never mind - I found a wiring diagram online for the 2 relays.

This may be a dumb question - but where did you get the relays from?

I have done 4 x 300SDL with cheapo keyless, under $20. I never need to add external relays nor to remove the factory alarm. All original manual key lock/unlock functionality are retained. What you need is to buy a keyless system with pneumatic operation, that is all to it. The relays are internal to the unit.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

I'm 100% positive, that the one I bought has the pneumatic operation - I made sure this was included in the item description. There was a little external pigtail that had to be snipped for pneumatic, which I did. I don't remember off-hand the brand that I bought, but I'll find out tonight and report back.

I looked it up last night - couldn't find the box so pulled the ad off eBay. It's a no name brand - just says "universal keyless entry system". However, the ad specifically says Pneumatic Operation. Not sure why the lock/unlock are reversed at this point. I suppose I can rig up the relays once I get them and see what happens.

Relays are standard bosch SPDT ones. Any brand will do.

__________________

85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project