W201 190e 2.3 help identify wire - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mcstein · #1 10-13-2015, 12:25 AM

1984 190e 2.3

New to mercedes. Was trying to figure out an overheating issue with the fan not coming on. Reached behind the fan somewhere to unplug this wire and the dang connector snapped off. I can't locate where it snapped off from. I'm stuck taking everything apart to find the still installed part of the connector. It seems that no hex wrench will fit the hex 4 bolts in the fan clutch. Any one know where this wire goes to and what it's for?

mcstein · #2 10-13-2015, 12:28 AM

Light brown wire and black wire

Stretch · #3 10-13-2015, 06:52 AM

That wire

Plugs into the back of the magnetic clutch assembly for the cooling fan.

In your picture the pins for the plug are on the right hand side of the "gold" coloured hub - on the side you can't see - right at the back. It is a bugger to reach.

The cooling fan is controlled by a thermostat in the head. Check that first.

Look in the FSM on startekinfo.com for the correct resistance values for the thermostat (see link in my signature for tips for getting startek to play nice - although the W201 FSM is pretty problem free and accessible)

mcstein · #4 10-13-2015, 01:05 PM

Thanks. The pins broke in half in the connector. It'd help if i could get that hub off. 5mm try to stripthe bolts and 5.5 mm is too big.

Stretch · #5 10-13-2015, 01:15 PM

I can't remember the size of the allen key I used for mine but I think it was about 5mm. Try your best - if you strip the heads out drill them off. Stop before you reach the drum though...

...access is a bugger - I know. But if you remove the radiator there's more space.

(Welcome to the wonderful world of the Baby Benz - move this to get to that)

mcstein · #6 10-14-2015, 07:39 PM

Well, Thanks for the help. I've got every thing off. Had to drill out those hex bolts for the solenoid body.

The 2 problems I had were that it was over heating at idle(neither fan was working) and the battery would drain while the car was turned off.

I've managed to deduce that the 2 prong coolant sensor for the main fan is shot.

I also found where the wire for the aux fan sensor was broken and had melted to the side of the distributor. That fixed the aux fan and I'm 99% sure it fixed the problem with the battery draining overnight.

Fixes: new sensor and splice a broken wire.

New problems as I fumbled around: Broke the radiator leaning on it(the upper hose attachment).
Broke the electric connection off the back of the electromagnet clutch.

It figures I would break the expensive items while figuring out all I needed was a relatively cheap fix.

Now I'm on the cheap part hunt so I can put this thing back together.

Stretch · #7 10-15-2015, 05:20 AM

Oh crap - damaging stuff isn't good. Still **** happens. There's a WTB section on this forum that often yields good results. I'd be inclined to buy a new radiator though. Nissens or Behr get recommended the most for Mercedes vehicles.