Diesel RVs: Re: [diesel_mercedes] Re: 83 300SD Instrument Cluster (Phase 1)

You should be able to get to it from the top. I've only got a few more
inches than you! I'll see if I can find a link to a doc for you.

Ben near Detroit.

On 11/16/2011 10:23 AM, CaitlinDean wrote:
>
> Ben, thanks! Is it easier to get to from under the car? I'm only 5'2"
> and I had a heck of a time even getting that picture leaning over the
> fender ;) I have ramps...
>
> Caitlin
> Santa Fe
>
> --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:diesel_mercedes%40yahoogroups.com>, "bgiovan@..."
> <bgiovan@...> wrote:
> >
> > Indeed! I see yours is a few years newer than mine though (I have a '79
> > 300SD) so perhaps those gauges were electronic vs. mechanical. My '87
> > 300SDL did have an electronic one and there was a wire on the
> > bottom/side of the oil filter housing that kept coming off which pegged
> > the gauge at 3bar. I ended up crimping the connector with a pair of
> > pliers so it would stay on and it solved the problem.
> >
> > Good luck chasing the gremlins. Full time job truth be told (and
> part of
> > the fun!)
> >
> > Ben near Detroit.
> >
> > On 11/15/2011 9:31 PM, CaitlinDean wrote:
> > >
> > > Ben, sounds messy ;)
> > >
> > > Caitlin
> > >
> > > --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:diesel_mercedes%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > <mailto:diesel_mercedes%40yahoogroups.com>, "bgiovan@"
> > > <bgiovan@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Careful on disconnecting the oil pressure gauge unless you like
> motor
> > > > oil squirting on your shoes. While you're driving. Ask me how I
> know.
> > > >
> > > > Ben near Detroit.
> > > >
> > > > On 11/15/2011 4:43 PM, CaitlinDean wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I confirmed that indeed the gauge is stuck as high as it goes
> when
> > > the
> > > > > cluster is merely plugged in (no key in ignition, car obvi not
> > > > > running, etc) at all times.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm not totally sure what to look for other than brown wires that
> > > have
> > > > > "loose connections" and tighten them...and maybe bare wires too...
> > > > >
> > > > > My electrical gremlin count is growing and I still haven't even
> > > > > found/fixed one...(ok, that's cuz I'm sort of avoiding them)
> > > > >
> > > > > Good to know I can shoot for 130MPH ;) despite what the speedo
> > > > > says...but the one that goes higher was orig to the car and at
> > > least i
> > > > > have a spare for if/when I send out mine for repair.
> > > > >
> > > > > Gonna go check the voltage regulator (as suggested) and also
> see if I
> > > > > can't rejuvenate my hazard switch in hopes of restoring
> signals (they
> > > > > light, inside and out, but don't blink). While after the hazard, I
> > > > > hope to check and dig around in the wiring behind the console in
> > > hopes
> > > > > of finding gremmies.
> > > > >
> > > > > Caitlin
> > > > > Santa Fe
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:diesel_mercedes%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > <mailto:diesel_mercedes%40yahoogroups.com>
> > > > > <mailto:diesel_mercedes%40yahoogroups.com>, "Nate" <vwnate1@>
> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > OBTW :
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The speedo stops @ 85 MPH but the _car_ will top 130 MPH
> once it's
> > > > > running well .
> > > > > >
> > > > > > -Nate
> > > > > > Caitlin wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > When I got Betty, I knew the odometer wasn't working. When I
> > > drove
> > > > > her home after picking her up, it was dark and torrential rain
> (not
> > > > > common in these dry parts) and so I discovered that the left
> half of
> > > > > the cluster was too dark to see and the left turn signal light
> was
> > > out.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I've since noticed that the oil pressure gauge always
> reads the
> > > > > highest and never moves. The clock doesn't work (ok, who
> cares) and
> > > > > the tach jiggles. And the kicker is that the speedo only goes
> up to
> > > > > 85MPH (as in, that's the highest mark that's on the gauge
> face). All
> > > > > other warning lights seem to be just fine.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Luckily the PO included what was theoretically the original
> > > > > cluster and today I dug into some troubleshooting and minor fixes
> > > > > after I performed my very first oil change. Ever. (Messy, but it
> > > feels
> > > > > good)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Between the 2 clusters and some new bulbs I was able to
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > * fix the missing lighting on the left side of the cluster
> > > > > > > * fix the left turn signal light
> > > > > > > * install the original speedo (also broken)
> > > > > > > * used the "better" potentiometer until I can spring for a
> new one
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > So the lights and bulbs are all working and I can see it at
> > > > > night...yay!
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Here's what's left...
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > * speedometer definitely broken beyond my skills...the
> gears are
> > > > > broken (missing teeth etc)
> > > > > > > * tach jiggle...gonna check the amp since it jiggled with both
> > > > > clusters
> > > > > > > * oil pressure...also busted with both clusters, when
> plugged in
> > > > > both read 3 (highest)
> > > > > > > * new potentiometer
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > QUESTIONS:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > 1) Oil Pressure ... is my problem likely the oil pressure
> sensor?
> > > > > Is this the same as the Oil Pressure "switch"? Any other
> > > > > troubleshooting to do to really find the problem?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > 2) The speedo I took out, that only has markings for up to
> about
> > > > > 85MPH (140km) has a part number: 126 542 44 01 ... what car
> does this
> > > > > go to? I tried searching, no luck.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > 3) For speedometer fixing...who do you recommend? I
> requested a
> > > > > quote from speedometer.com
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks!
> > > > > > > Caitlin
> > > > > > > Santa Fe
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>