am i a hypchondriac? 560sl question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

robaincltnc · #1 02-19-2003, 06:30 PM

I think that I am a hypochondriac when it comes to my cars. Especially my 560sl. I just had a number of hoses and clamps that stopped a dreaded leak(first thought it was seal or gasket) turned out to be a return valve from power steering. YEAH!

I have an intermittant problem though..most of the time my drivers side headlight doesn't work. Its the high beam light. It works sometimes. It is definitely not the bulb. I understand there is a possibility of this being a light relay box). Is this what you guys think is wrong. I could by a relay box but i don't wanna just through $ at it.

Also,
The car appears to have a LOT of exhaust. I haven't been driving the car much lately since my new MB purchase. The car has alot of STEAMY exhaust with lots of condensation. I just had it inspected and emissions passed with flying colors. I just started it and let it run to warm(5-10minutes) and the exhaust didn't stop. My temp in Charlotte is around 50degrees right now..and Charlotte is generally a humid place.

Many thanks in advance to your help!
rob

robaincltnc · #2 02-19-2003, 09:36 PM

The car appears to have a LOT of exhaust. I haven't been driving the car much lately since my new MB purchase. The car has alot of STEAMY exhaust with lots of condensation. I just had it inspected and emissions passed with flying colors.

Just today I started it and let it run to warm(5-10minutes) and I had cloudy humid exhaust. It was bluish white in color. The outdoor temp in Charlotte is around 50 degrees right now..and Charlotte is generally a humid place.

Any ideas as to if something is wrong or is it just a matter of the car not being driven that much?

Thanks!

robaincltnc · #3 02-20-2003, 09:52 AM

Thank you much for your reply. I will try this weekend!

If you have pictures of the 560sel and 928 please send them or post them.

Have a great weekend.

#4 02-20-2003, 10:51 AM

1) Your headlight - disconnect the connector to the bulb and check the connector plug for tarnish or corrosion where the bulb pins go in. Use a flashlight to inspect the brass inside. While you are at it - check to make sure the two sides of the connector are not spread apart too far to cause an intermittent connection. Since the low beam never goes out - use that connector to check the hi beam one. - If there is corrosion in the connector - get one of those orange sticks that ladies use to sand their nails and cut it to the same width as the pin of the bulb and use it to sand the inside of the connector to clean up the brass. Then use a small screwdriver to push the two brass pieces closer together. Should cure the problem.
2) steamy exhaust - I only drive my 560sel in the summer and after sitting for a a few weeks or months - I get the same thing until the engine is at full temp for a while (15 minutes). Take it on the highway for a liesurely drive and when you return home - it will be gone. Normal. Always remember - the colder the temperature outside - the more steamy exhaust you will see. Up here at below freezing temps - you always get the steam as long as the car is running - diesel or gas. You are just seeing the condensation from combustion. Don't worry.

robaincltnc · #5 02-22-2003, 05:10 PM

MOe or anyone for that matter.
How exactly do I get the headlight assembly out? I have the plastic trim off. But the screws that I see seem to only adjust the light.

robaincltnc · #6 04-06-2003, 12:01 AM

It was the light monitor relay..it works great now!!

xp190 · #7 04-06-2003, 09:33 AM

I had a similar problem with my windshield washer pump, it would work, then it would stop then it would work again. It was a bad ground connection. fixed it up and had no problems since.

xp

hbofinger · #8 04-06-2003, 04:59 PM

Moedip has a point.

You might still want to check those headlight socket connectors - I started getting some intermittent action on my right headlight/high beam, replaced the bulb, still had a problem, then realized the connector had gotten so crudded up parts of it had MELTED due to electrical heat buildup on the parts that DID conduct.

Then I checked the other connector for the left lamp, and sure enough - it had been replaced, by the previous owner, so it had happened there before. I.e. it's a common problem.

My Benz parts place doesn't even carry the connector, because it's such a standard $8.00 part available in any auto supply store. Though in your case it might have been the relay, it could still be good preventative maintenace to replace those connectors. Also, instead of soldering up the lines to the connectors directly, you might want to get some Radio Shack nylon connectors and attach those to the wires, so the socket connectors can be more easily replaced again later in your car's hopefully endless life....

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