[W140Gill]

Re: Wiring harness

Hi Gill, as usual I have a question. What were the symptoms when your wiring harness went bad. Lately in my car when I'm driving all the warning lamps will flash as if the car is gonna shut off but I feel no affects to the engine. Is this my harness? I have 153,000 miles on my car.

As usual Thanks for the info Gill

drk. grn. 400se []

If your car has a bad wiring harness, you will notice some or all of the following
(1) rough idle
(2) increased fuel consumption
(3) power loss
(4) check engine light on
Open the top engine cover and examine the leads going to the plugs. If they appear to be brittle and crumbling then the harness will need changing.

From your description of symptoms, I would say that your battery needs replacing. Battery and Acid pack from Benz will cost about £100 ($150)ish.

Apologies for the delay in replying []

 

[W140Gill]

Re: S280 Dash Lights and Auto Trans Flaring

Thanks w140Gill for the detailed explanation for pulling out the dash unit. Unfortunately, my 1995/96 S280 seems very reluctant to let it pop out! I removed the bottom carpet panel and have tried pushing the unit forward, but it appears to be holdig on something in the middle. I must be missing something and am worried that if I try excessive force something expensive is going to break.

Any clues?

I also hade a look at trying to replace the back lights on the central vent wheels. I suspect the only way is to remove the heater control unit below, or go in through the glove box.

I saw from your listing that you had transmission 'flaring'. I think I have the same symptoms, although not so extreme. In 2nd and 3rd, the revs sometimes increase by an extra 500rpm before engaging gear. Happens in drive and when using the gear selector manually. Problem occurs more frequently when in stop/start traffic. Is this the first stage of transmission failure? I have had it serviced and adjusted, but this only had a slight beneficial effect.

Apart from these problems, plus only getting cold air from the rear central vents, the car is a dream to drive. Car was imported from Singapore to New Zealand if that is relevant.

Any help appreciated.

The cluster will pop out. There is nothing but the steering wheel surround holding it in the centre. Dont be afraid to use some force.

The rear centre vents were available in two guises. One with rear AC control and one without. I think yours has no rear separate AC controls - in which case it will only supply cold air to the rear face vents. If you dont want cold air, just close off the face vents, the rear footwells will supply heat.

As for the bulbs in the front vent wheels, well I'm afraid that i've not had to change these yet. So no steps.

Your transmission - I am afraid it's overhaul time as soon as you have enough spare cash.

Again, apologies for the delay in replying

Gill []

 

[mynewbaby]

Re: help with carpet

The second method (which i did) is without pulling hooks. Undo the the carpeted panel beneath the dashboard.

How do you unhook the carpet panel...It will not budge..Help
[8)]

 

[W140Gill]

Re: Re: help with carpet

The second method (which i did) is without pulling hooks. Undo the the carpeted panel beneath the dashboard.

How do you unhook the carpet panel...It will not budge..Help
[8)]

here you go
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/messages.asp?messno=50363&id=10&view=t

 

[W140Gill]

Gearshift removal instructions for pre1995 models

This will finally settle the great gear debate
for those people who had difficulty following my written instructions[]

as always....fitting is reverse of removal

 

[W140Gill]

Re: Gearshift removal instructions for pre1995 models

This will finally settle the great gear debate
for those people who had difficulty following my written instructions[]

as always....fitting is reverse of removal

This is what it looks like when removed.

 

[barry putnam]

back to top[xx(]

 

[Skippy]

Gear shift selector light 1995 S280

The gear selector bulb is a little more complex.
You will need the following tools:
(1) A selection (because I cant remember the size) of torx screwdriver bits (I think its either T10,T15 or T20)
(2) A 1/4" mini ratchet bit
(3) A 'L' bend Allen key that fits into the 1/4" ratchet on the side that would normally fit the ratchet handle.
(4) A small phillips (crosshead) screwdriver bit.
(5) flat tip screwdriver

Open the ash tray and remove the inner with the release catch.
Look into the opening and you will see a small phillips screw holding on the wood panel on the cover of the ashtray. Insert the phillips bit into the 1/4" bit and use the allen key in the other end to 'frig' yourself a custom tool to get into the hole.
Undo the screw and the ashtray comes away. Keep the compression washer thats under the screw safe.
Feel in the opening where the ashtray resided for 2 torx headed bolts. There is one either side. These hold the wood around the gear and window switches in place.
Undo these bolts using your 'frigged' tool fitted with the right size torx bit.
Remove the surrounding plastic from the gear selector panel. This comes out upward. Use a flat screwdriver if necessary - mind the wood!.
The Wood panel is now loose from the gear selector. Lift upward starting from the ashtray end and carefully unclip the wiring from all the switches.
The Gear selector mechanism is now exposed. The bulb is the same variety as the dashboard, twist in type. It resides either on the side or under the top panel where the numbering is. Carefully unclip the top panel and replace the bulb.

As before refit is reverse of removal.

Hi Gill,

Long time. I still have the S280. 230,000km and still going strong.

I tried ot follow your instructions for changing the gear selector bulb and ran into a problem. The wood panel on mine is L shaped, going from the top of the gear box tunnel up, around and up with with ash tray, radio and heater controls. Is this different to your pre-95 model?

Undoing the two screws after taking of the ash tray coever did nothing. The wood panel is still fix. Frustratingly, I can get the bulb holder off, but cannot get it out between the wood trim and the ash tray. If only I could undo and remove the ash tray assembly.

I did see a small square screw up at the back of the ashtray housing, but I do not have one that small.

Any help much appreciated.

Warwick

 

[Mercedes>Bmw]

Hi Gill,

Long time. I still have the S280. 230,000km and still going strong.

I tried ot follow your instructions for changing the gear selector bulb and ran into a problem. The wood panel on mine is L shaped, going from the top of the gear box tunnel up, around and up with with ash tray, radio and heater controls. Is this different to your pre-95 model?

Undoing the two screws after taking of the ash tray coever did nothing. The wood panel is still fix. Frustratingly, I can get the bulb holder off, but cannot get it out between the wood trim and the ash tray. If only I could undo and remove the ash tray assembly.

I did see a small square screw up at the back of the ashtray housing, but I do not have one that small.

Any help much appreciated.

Warwick

Just so you know he hasn't been on for almost a year now, but maybe he'll see this in his e-mail, come back and help you.

 

[lcmlee]

I think the answer is not exclusive to Gill. Go look at the stickies up above for answers. Some practice with the search feature of the forum will also yield the answer you are looking for...and who knows, it may lead you into some other very interesting articles in here....but you probably already know all this...as you have been registered since 2003...and with 9 posts total.