Electrical failure
 

Hello All! I haven't seen this site for a while because I've been busy. I like the new look!! The search function seems better as well. However I couldn't find a reference to my problem.

My A/C compressor, brake lights, temp gauge, oil pressure all quit working at the same time. Could someone suggest what common components I should look at?

All fuses in the fuse box near the firewall are OK.

Thanks in advance for the help.

What year, and model of car?

That would help for starters in diagnosing your problem.

Sometimes fuses look ok but they aren't. When I first bought my car, first thing I did was change every fuse for a brand new one.

If your car has an OVP, this could also cause weird problems. Try searchign for ovp, over volt protection relay, OVR, and any combination and see what you come up with.

The OVP can be the culprit of any number of problems, but that doesn't mean it applies to your car.

Post what model and year, it will better help those trying to help you figure out your problem.

Alon

Yeah, agree with Alon, change all fuses, there can be hairline cracks undetectable to the naked eye. THough probably not applicable to due multiple failure at once. Cheap though. Maybe there is a relay that combines these features.... ?:confused:

GOOD LUCK

Oh Yes, that may help! My car is a 1987 190E 2.3.

Speaking of fuses...How do you get the lid off of the "fuse box"? I could raise the front enough to get my hand in to remove and replace fuses, but it was a very tight fit.

I suspect a relay. I have the repair CD, but it would help to know what parts are common to all those components.

It should only have one clamp, unless yours has side clamps

Alon

Fuse Container
 

The lid has one clamp in the front. When that is undone, the lid will open to about 30 degrees. I can barely get my hand in there, but it requires a bit of dexterity to remove or replace a fuse. There is also some type of apparatus on the back that can be removed, but that doesn't seem to affect the position of the lid.

Anyway, the problem I am most concerned about is my brakelights. They are not working. The fuse is good. The bulbs are good.

The only clue I have is that my A/C, oil pressure, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge (maybe other things as well) went down with the tail lights.

Can anyone suggest common components to look at first? What devices would all these systems share?

Thank you for your help.

Rodgeda,

I believe all these things are on the same fuse. I had a center mounted stop light installed on my car by the agent I hired to federalize it (1986 190E 2.3-16) that died after a few years. I removed it as it started rattling and never repaced it. Anyway, my young son (probably 6 at the time) found these two wires on the shelf behind his seat and naturally tied them together. Well, as soon as I put the brakes on the fuse blew and my rpm indicator and everything else on the dash died. It took me a few fuses to make the connection to the brake and then the wires in the back window.... but it was solved for good when I separated the wires and replaced the fuse the last time. Good Luck, Jim