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  #1  
Old 05-22-2015, 12:39 AM
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Electrical nightmare 1981 300sd

So I bought a 81 300sd with no key. Not a big deal but there was no way for me to test everything before buying the car. Got a smoking deal for it. Btw was able to make sure it ran good before I boight it. Now that I got it home I was able to take ingnition cylinder out and turn ignition on with now key. Dash lights are goin crazy. When I turn the left blinker on the fuel gauge and temp gauge move with the blinker. Also the seat belt light, glow plug and high beam indicator lights all flash with it. So my question is that is there any comin problem that would cause this issue. Like a comin connecter or comin power wire that could be it. I've tried searching through the forums to no anvil. Any help would be much appreciated. TIA

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  #2  
Old 05-22-2015, 02:46 AM
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I'm not familiar with the 81 300sd, but my bid is your dash not connected to the negative or the connection is corroded.
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  #3  
Old 05-22-2015, 07:50 AM
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I had similar problems with my 84 300CD. The problem was a burnt through grounding trace on the instrument mounting PC board. It was a little hard to find because the burned area was under the fuel gauge guts. I was able to repair it by installing a jumper wire around the bad spot.
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1984 300CD (sold)
1973 220DPK 4 spd (died)
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  #4  
Old 05-22-2015, 08:18 AM
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+3 on a bad ground connection somewhere in the instrument cluster or from IC to the car body.
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Respectfully,
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M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC
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  #5  
Old 05-22-2015, 08:47 AM
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Had the same thing on my 380SL - it's such a common problem in that community, it's standard practice to add a ground wire to the cluster. Look for a bad trace on the board first, then consider adding a ground wire.
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  #6  
Old 05-22-2015, 03:27 PM
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Another thing to look for is the 15 pin circular connector on the back of the cluster can get its polarity key broken off. If the connector is mated with the wrong pins matching, much mayhem will ensue.
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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech
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  #7  
Old 05-22-2015, 07:26 PM
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I wouldn't have pulled the tumbler....it takes a bit but you could get a factory key for the car for under 40$ from any mercedes dealer....you just need the latest registration/title.

What did you do to pull the ignition tumbler also? Did you drop the column? Pull the ignition plug off the back of the ignition?

Finally....There is no such thing as a smoking deal aka cheap mercedes...this is just one issue of many I am sure...
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  #8  
Old 05-22-2015, 08:50 PM
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14 pin round connector in connected correctly. They gauges only move when right turn signal switch is on and not the left. Also all the center console lights for the switches flash as well. Checked the ground wire for the Instrument cluster and it is ok. Also the oil pressure guage is pegged in full and only the left turn signal indicator light in on. And the tach doesn't work.
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  #9  
Old 05-23-2015, 02:54 AM
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Figured out someone was in there messing with the pins. The 8 pin connector behind the speedo was all wrong. Put the pins back in the right spots and that fixed the light show but created another problem. Now the speedo is at showing 25 mph when the ignition is on but the mileage counter isn't actually moving. Double checked the pin out and its good.
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  #10  
Old 05-23-2015, 08:44 AM
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The speedo and odometer are all mechanical afaik.
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Last edited by funola; 05-23-2015 at 09:40 AM.
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  #11  
Old 05-23-2015, 09:25 AM
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I thought the early 80s 126s had an electric speedometer.

Hopefully something did not get fried with the crossed pins...
__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech
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  #12  
Old 05-23-2015, 09:40 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by funola View Post
The speedo and odometer are all mechanical afaik.
I stand corrected. It is electronic!
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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked
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  #13  
Old 05-23-2015, 03:10 PM
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Ground issues can still cause all sorts of gremlins in the electrical system....
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  #14  
Old 05-24-2015, 04:16 AM
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Going to double check the 15 pin connector pin out and make sure that's correct. My have to send to cluster out to be repaired. Added an extra ground but no change.
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  #15  
Old 05-24-2015, 09:46 AM
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The odometer is gear driven. No odo means broken or disengaged gears in the cluster.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.
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