Just picked up an '83 240D w/ 4sp manual and 117K miles. Car is in good shape other than a few minor problems. The passenger's side turn signal works fine as long as the headlights and parking lights aren't on. When I turn the headlights or parking lights on, the right turn signal indicator on the instrument panel glows a little bit. I also pulled the turn signal/parking unit and found that the turn signal element glows a little when the parking light element is on. What would cause this phenomenon - headlight switch, bad wiring, or is there a relay somewhere to look at. Another issue is the passenger side door lock - it doesn't lock when the other doors do - what are some things to look at? The last thing is the cruise control - it doesn't work - any ideas?

Thanks,
Lance

I can help with two of the three of your questions...

1) The doorlock most likely has a ripped seal in the vacuum actuator...which would explain why it isnt locking.

2) The cruise control rarely works in these cars, mostly due to the amplifier (found under the drivers side underdash panel). If you can find one at a junkyard you can try your luck or have it repaired...or live without cruise like I do in my 83

Congrats on a great purchase, 117k miles is nothing on these cars.

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Nick
*****
2002 Sprinter 2500 140" High Roof :

You can get some really strange electrical problems if a dual-element bulb fails in a certain way. The parking light / turn signal bulb on the front sides is a dual-element bulb.

The failure mode is when the filament that is higher burns through, and the remainder then falls onto the lower element. It can then become stuck there and you get a short from the parking light element to the turn signal element. This causes the strange interaction.

Remove the parking light / turn signal bulb from each side and examine it closely. This bulb should have two distinct elements in it that are not touching in any way.

Judging from your turn signal indication when you turn on the parking lights, its the bulb on the right side.

Diagnosis by Internet for Free.



Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

I inherited a 83 240D from my aunt in 1985, the car had only 8000 miles on the clock as my aunt preffered her 300E gas(no wonder she gave it away to me). The cruise control never worked even after being serviced my MB, and the vaccum controled locking system could be a pain sometimes. The a/c is another problem area in this car. Otherwise it is a tank, never missed any class in my four year college tenure as it was very reliable vehicle.