What are the other functions of the combination switch?

[ericnguyen]

Dear friends:

Since only the 5th position (marked in the attached pic) works on my 1984 300SD, I would like to know the exact function/description for the other positions. Thanks a lot.

Best regards,

Eric

[speedy300Dturbo]

1. Left standing (parking lamp)
2. Right standing (parking lamp)
3. Lights off
4. Left and right standing lamps on
5. Headlights on
6. (you didn't have #6)
7. Fog lights on, the switch is pulled outward if the switch is turned to position 4 or 5

[sixto]

Not to step on speedyturbo's toes (again), #4 also turns on the dash lights and license plate lights.

I'm not sure about the pre-86 cars, but many of these cars have a 2 position fog light switch. First detent is front fog light, second detent is front and rear fog lights. I don't think the rear fog circuit is live in the pre-86 cars. Put a bulb in the innermost socket of the left taillight cluster and find out... if there is a socket.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

[autozen]

Hey Sixto,

Picky, Picky, Picky. Only a moron ('')
would not see his dash lights come on. Interisting point about the rear fog lights. I'll have to check now. I think the electrical contacts aren't there in this country. To be even pickier,fog lights only come on('')
in position 5 when low beam is selected.

Peter

[JimSmith]

and the left and right standing lights only come on with the key out of the car.

[autozen]

Jim,

If you are answering my smart ass remark to Sixto, you nailed me, however, the key doesn't have to be out of the car. It just has to not be in the start run buss position. The poor guy that asked the original question doesn't realize what he started.


Peter

Are the fog lamps supposed to stay on with the high beams on?

Mine work with only low beams.

[speedy300Dturbo]

82 300TD:

You can rewire your fog light fuse so that they will come on with only the parking lights. Actually when this re-wire is done, you can run the fog lights when the headlight switch is in any position, even high beams. I posted details sometime ago... let me know if you're interested and I can dig them up for you.

This seems to be the case on the W123. The W126 and later models can run fog lights with only parking lights, and with high beams.

[autozen]

Speedy300,

Why would you want to use high beams in the Fog? You can't see anything with tuly fog like we get here in the Delta and the Napa Valley. If anything I would rather run with parking lights and yellow fog lights and stay in the lane with the shoulder. A few years ago I was driving in thick tuly fog about 7:00 Am. I saw brake lights come on fast in front of me. I immediately drove onto the shoulder. The car following me plowed into the car that was in front of me. I listened to cars plowing into the rear of other cars for what seemed to be every two seconds for quite awhile. I checked and no one was injured so I drove off to work.


Peter

[The Warden]

Originally posted by autozen
Why would you want to use high beams in the Fog?

You wouldn't, but if you have the "white" fog lights like I do, having them on with the high beams brightens the area right in front of the car, which can help out with visibility on clear nights.

I re-wired my foglights so they can come on with the parking lights or the high beams; was very worthwhile IMHO. Also, at least on my '85, I'm 99% sure that the socket doesn't even exist for the "rear" foglights...I wonder if the socket can be retrofitted in? Or are they illegal to use in the US?

[autozen]

Hey Warden,

I don't have a problem with running all the light you can get on twisty back roads like we have out here. Our Florida and Texas friends may not understand. I have a problem with all the clowns who run down well lit freeways with driving lights wired into the low beams. It is not only a clear violation of Division 12 of the California vehicle code, it is blinding to anyone in front of them. I am still considering wiring air craft landing lights to the back of my wagon to let those *******s see what it is like. I don't know why you can't hhok up rear fog lights since they are red and would save accidents. Did you note above how I stayed out of an accident because I saw red lights? This country is a good 10 years behind Europe in just about everything. This country is profit driven which has no room for quality of life. Good talkin to you again, Warden.

Peter

speedy300Dturbo, that would be great! It would be cool to run with fog lights and no headlights (Won't p-off as many drivers).

[speedy300Dturbo]

82 300TD:

1.) Disconnect battery. Open up your fuse box. It helps to remove all the fuses, as you'll be taking out the whole box. Helps to have a magnetic screwdriver too. I think the entire assembly is held in by a couple screws - but I can't remember exactly.

2.) It will take quite a bit of wiggling, but eventually you'll get the fuse box out and underneath it you'll see a bunch of wires. The wire that you will cut is on slot #11, it is grey, with yellow and green stripes. Cut this wire, strip the end, and crimp on a ring terminal. Wrap it up tightly with electrical tape or use some heat shrink tube.

3.) Connect this wire to slot #3, which I beleive supplies power to one of the parking lights. Swap the 16 amp fuse from slot #11 with the 8 amp fuse from slot #3.

Thank you very much! I will try it today.