I became the owner of my first Merz 2 weeks ago. I switched from Mazda MX-6 to MB 420 SEL, year 1990, it has around 130K miles on it. I bought it for 3900. I'm REALLY enjoying driving it! Even 16 miles/gal doesn't scare me

And today my lovely SEL surprised me for the first time I opened left driver's window and couldn't close it. I press the button, hear some clicks inside the door but nothing happens. And I couldn't event close the window manually. I was raining and I got pretty bad experience driving my MB with my face all wet and cold I kept trying to close it and after some time the window went up just fine.

I was just wondering, is there something else I need to expect from 16 y/o MB beside valve guides and camshaft chains? Anyone else here has a 420 SEL?

Thanks,
Paul.

Hmmmm

I would replace all your fuses. The fuse box is located under the hood and you can get a full set of fuses for the car cheap. They are unsealed and tend to get corroded with age. I have a 1982 300SD which is the diesel version of your car. When I first got my car it had all sorts of oddball electrical issues like that until I replaced all the fuses. Get the OE ones as I tried the glass fuses at first and got a lot of blow outs because they were not quite 100% to factory spec. Other than the fuses the other place to look would be at the switches themselves. You have to remove the center console panel in order to get to them. The my 1982 has a different style of switch than your later model so you might have to replace rather than take them apart and rebuild them.

My 1982 is still alive and kicking and is my everyday car at the moment. Photos at http://beostar.paunix.org/newmbzpics

Congrats on the purchase, and welcome to the forum. Here's a link to some MB service manuals:

http://mb.braingears.com/

The ones you want are on the W126 Disc2 selection:

http://mb.braingears.com/126_DISC2/program/matrix.htm

and look at the engine or chassis manual. The 420 owners manual is also on the CD, if you don't have one.

As for your windowl here's a link to the manual:

http://mb.braingears.com/126_DISC2/program/Chassis/72-185.pdf

Although you may want to remove the door panel and check the plastic slider for the window crank mechanism. They break but are easy to replace. Please check it out and let us know. Alternatively, the motor may be loose in it's mount and the gears are not meshing properly or the gears may be stripped.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Yes, I have a 420... not yet driven as I bought it as "no start" Body and interior are excellent.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Paul, if you plan to replace all the "torpedo" fuses go to www.**************.com and order the brass and copper alloy type. These fuses prevent problems from dissimilar metal corrosion which can occur with the stock fuses. It's an inexpensive upgrade!!

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Fred Hoelzle

need a new regulator.

the clicking is the clue.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.