I was told to check the grounds and they look like they are making contact. Now I really have no idea. Thank you!
My Electrical system gives me headaches >_<
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 103
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From: SF Bay Area
'87 260E, '00 C230, 01 S500
My Electrical system gives me headaches >_<
Hello all,
I've had my '87 260E for a while now and it's an AWESOME car, but electrical problems are starting to kill it. I've replaced the alternator, which has helped, but for some reason my left headlight refuses to turn on. Sometimes I get lucky and it will come on at random times.
I've checked fuses, replaced with new bulbs and new connectos (the old ones where shorting and melting the plastic) and have tried switching with the other side just to check.
I have no idea what I can do to fix this
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
-Nathan
If it helps, the high beams always work on both sides.
I've had my '87 260E for a while now and it's an AWESOME car, but electrical problems are starting to kill it. I've replaced the alternator, which has helped, but for some reason my left headlight refuses to turn on. Sometimes I get lucky and it will come on at random times.
I've checked fuses, replaced with new bulbs and new connectos (the old ones where shorting and melting the plastic) and have tried switching with the other side just to check.
I have no idea what I can do to fix this
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!-Nathan
If it helps, the high beams always work on both sides.
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 112
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From: Bellingham, WA
1988 260E
I was just going to say that when I got my 260 the left headlight low-beam didn't work all the time and when it did work it was dim. Also the fog light only worked sometimes. The fix was the group of ground wires that are bolted to the frame right underneath the headlight were corroded. I cleaned up the connection and it fixed both problems. But if you say the grounds look good then I don't know, maybe try cleaning up the contact points?
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wires get brittle with age.
i had an intermittent headlight which was a wire that had bent and vibrated itself until its contact wasnt sure.
went to a dismantler, purchased a connection. cut the wires, spliced, problems solved.
the other one is doing the same thing now.
i had an intermittent headlight which was a wire that had bent and vibrated itself until its contact wasnt sure.
went to a dismantler, purchased a connection. cut the wires, spliced, problems solved.
the other one is doing the same thing now.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 103
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From: SF Bay Area
'87 260E, '00 C230, 01 S500
Sorry to necro post, but I have a new symptom!
After cleaning the switches and changing the fuses...it still didn't work. However, since our recent cold snap in California, the lights work fine. I have no idea what this is, has anybody heard of this happening?
After cleaning the switches and changing the fuses...it still didn't work. However, since our recent cold snap in California, the lights work fine. I have no idea what this is, has anybody heard of this happening?
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1990 300ce 24v I6
Could be the wires contracting due to the cold and making connections again. Check all the wires for cracks/splits in the wire sheathing and make sure everything is seated properly in the connectors.
Last edited by Saijin_Naib; Dec 16, 2008 at 08:36 PM. Reason: spelled sheathing wrong -_-
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 103
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From: SF Bay Area
'87 260E, '00 C230, 01 S500
Alright, FINALLY figured it out for future reference....
My cousin took some time off to help me, but after rechecking the grounds, connections, wires, battery, bulbs, fuses and looking for any signs of moisture we had nothing. He then asked for a headlamp circuit diagram which I found here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-behavior.html
(Thank you very much) and he checked the "External Lamp Failure Monitoring Unit, under fusebox." At first it started to work when he applied pressure in certain directions, so once we opened it there was a TINY hairline crack just separating the connection on the back of the circuit board. A bit of solder, and it is good as new. FINALLY! I guess it would work intermittently depending on what position it was in, etc... Just wanted to post this in case anyone else has this problem.
My cousin took some time off to help me, but after rechecking the grounds, connections, wires, battery, bulbs, fuses and looking for any signs of moisture we had nothing. He then asked for a headlamp circuit diagram which I found here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-behavior.html
(Thank you very much) and he checked the "External Lamp Failure Monitoring Unit, under fusebox." At first it started to work when he applied pressure in certain directions, so once we opened it there was a TINY hairline crack just separating the connection on the back of the circuit board. A bit of solder, and it is good as new. FINALLY! I guess it would work intermittently depending on what position it was in, etc... Just wanted to post this in case anyone else has this problem.
