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

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>, "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>, "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
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>