I recently had a left rear window clip replaced in my 87 300SDL. Obviously, the shop needed to remove the door panel. I picked up the car after hours today and noticed the dome light was on. The switch was in the correct position, but the light would not turn off unless the switch was set to "off". Also, the fasten seat belts light stayed on when driving.

Upon closer inspection, the power door locks, antenna, gas flap, and trunk lock do not work. The trunk and locks are operational only if done manually.

Any ideas as to what I could look for? Seems almost like the door pin switch and a vacuum leak, but why would these problems surface immediately after working on the inside of a door?

Thanks in advance for your help.

__________________
Lance Allison
Lance@LanceAllison.com

Current:
11 MB S550 4Matic, 55k miles, Designo Black/Black
14 Ford F150 XLT Lariat Crew, 73k miles, 5.0
Coyote V8 4x4. Black/tan.
09 GMC Envoy Denali, 5.3 V8, 4x4 SWB. 38k miles,
Jewel Red/Med Gray.

Gone:
87 MB 300SDL, 320k miles, Astral Silver/Blue.
98 VW Jetta TDI, 488k miles, Classic Green/Gray.
85 Olds 98 Brougham FWD, 4.3 DIESEL V6, 80k
miles, 3x Gray.

MBCA Member, Chicago Region

I had a similar problem on my 1987 190. My problem was intermittent. My vacuum locks, antenna, and dome would not work and my radio would loose its presets at random times. It ended up being a fuse with a hairline crack in it. This is probably your problem. Yours is probably burned all the way through so should be easier to find.

I had the same problem in my 560SEL, it is indeed a fuse (can't remember which), you may still have a short. In my car, the little light under the door that goes on when the doors open had become loose over time. One day when I closed the door, the light had fallen so far down that it got smashed, causing the wires to touch. It took me a while to find it, since you don't really notice these lights in the daytime. Hope this helps...
Justin

As always, a few quick replies with good advice. It was the #15 fuse. It had worked its way loose and was not making contact at the top. I replaced it just to be sure (many of the other fuses look a little ragged). Voila! Locks, antenna, trunk, and dome light are functioning normally again.

__________________
Lance Allison
Lance@LanceAllison.com

Current:
11 MB S550 4Matic, 55k miles, Designo Black/Black
14 Ford F150 XLT Lariat Crew, 73k miles, 5.0
Coyote V8 4x4. Black/tan.
09 GMC Envoy Denali, 5.3 V8, 4x4 SWB. 38k miles,
Jewel Red/Med Gray.

Gone:
87 MB 300SDL, 320k miles, Astral Silver/Blue.
98 VW Jetta TDI, 488k miles, Classic Green/Gray.
85 Olds 98 Brougham FWD, 4.3 DIESEL V6, 80k
miles, 3x Gray.

MBCA Member, Chicago Region