From owner-diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Fri May 28 22:20:11 2010 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Saturday, May 29 2010 Volume 01 : Number 3286 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] W124 instrument lights Re: [db] W124 instrument lights Re: [db] W124 instrument lights RE: [db] W124 instrument lights RE: [db] W124 instrument lights RE: [db] W124 instrument lights [db] wagoneers.com [db] J10 trailer... need roof more than it... Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest@digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request@digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 22:30:52 -0700 From: "Paul Kershner" Subject: [db] W124 instrument lights After 18 months of driving the company truck, finally sold the Volvo V70 XC AWD and got the 1991 300D W124 on the road again. Everything seems to work except two things: The instrument lights and controls illumination won't light up and the warning light on the dash that indicates a burnt out bulb is on. Fuse is OK, voltage on downstream side of fuse. The dimmer feels really rough - thinking it may be the dimmer switch. Does anyone have a wiring diagram to verify that all these lights go thru that dimmer? If so, does anyone know how to remove the instrument cluster? Dimmer is also the trip odometer reset and is imbedded in the cluster. (note that I said "imbedded" without any reference to software - I'm sure that is the first time you've heard it out of that context in a while.) Also, the front dome light flashes when the front doors are open. Any clues? Paul Kershner ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 00:21:28 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: Re: [db] W124 instrument lights might save yourself some time by replacing all the fuses... serious... then maybe the power overload relay, I have a good one if you want to try it... to get the cluster out use a slim piece of stiff plastic and wiggle it out.... it just kind of presses in... john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Sun, 23 May 2010, Paul Kershner wrote: # After 18 months of driving the company truck, finally sold the Volvo V70 XC # AWD and got the 1991 300D W124 on the road again. # # # # Everything seems to work except two things: # # # # The instrument lights and controls illumination won't light up and the # warning light on the dash that indicates a burnt out bulb is on. Fuse is # OK, voltage on downstream side of fuse. The dimmer feels really rough - # thinking it may be the dimmer switch. Does anyone have a wiring diagram to # verify that all these lights go thru that dimmer? If so, does anyone know # how to remove the instrument cluster? Dimmer is also the trip odometer # reset and is imbedded in the cluster. (note that I said "imbedded" without # any reference to software - I'm sure that is the first time you've heard it # out of that context in a while.) # # # # Also, the front dome light flashes when the front doors are open. Any # clues? # # # # Paul Kershner # ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 06:59:51 -0400 From: Mike Frank Subject: Re: [db] W124 instrument lights The dash dimmers are a weak point. You can replace it, or just jumper around it so the lights are bright all the time. Removing and replacing the dash is a test of patience more than anything. First, it's a good idea to have a pair of dash hooks (like these: http://tinyurl.com/24vml2m If you don't have the hooks, you can use a couple of small screwdrivers to pry out the dash pod, but be careful not to do any visible damage. The pod doesn't just pop out, because it's held in mainly by the speedometer cable. If you're lucky, it will pull out far enough for you to get your hand behind and undo it. Otherwise, you'll have to take up the carpet and loosen the retaining clamp to allow enough slack. In addition to the speedometer, you will have to feel around and remove about a dozen connectors (and just think, you'll have to re install them the same way. When everything is unplugged, the pod will pop out. You will see the ceramic dimmer switch, and can do your stuff. The "bulb failure" lamp has nothing to do with the dash. Somewhere, there's a bad lamp. Unlike my 201, I never had this misfire on my 124. Look for a stop light or fog light problem if it's not immediately apparent. Mike Frank At 01:30 AM 5/24/2010, you wrote: >After 18 months of driving the company truck, finally sold the Volvo V70 XC >AWD and got the 1991 300D W124 on the road again. > > > >Everything seems to work except two things: > > > >The instrument lights and controls illumination won't light up and the >warning light on the dash that indicates a burnt out bulb is on. Fuse is >OK, voltage on downstream side of fuse. The dimmer feels really rough - >thinking it may be the dimmer switch. Does anyone have a wiring diagram to >verify that all these lights go thru that dimmer? If so, does anyone know >how to remove the instrument cluster? Dimmer is also the trip odometer >reset and is imbedded in the cluster. (note that I said "imbedded" without >any reference to software - I'm sure that is the first time you've heard it >out of that context in a while.) > > > >Also, the front dome light flashes when the front doors are open. Any >clues? > > > >Paul Kershner ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 06:36:07 -0700 From: "Paul Kershner" Subject: RE: [db] W124 instrument lights Even tho all the fuses have some amount of corrosion on them, they seem to be fine, as all have voltage registering on the copper tabs on the downstream side of the fuses (just for fun, I replaced fuse #3. The instrument, marker and license plate lights are in the circuit on fuse #3, of which the latter two light up when the headlights are turned on. Dimmer is downstream from the fuse which is the only common point for all the instrument lights. Power overload is fine. pk - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz@digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz@digest.net] On Behalf Of john Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 12:21 AM To: Paul Kershner Cc: diesel-benz@digest.net Subject: Re: [db] W124 instrument lights might save yourself some time by replacing all the fuses... serious... then maybe the power overload relay, I have a good one if you want to try it... to get the cluster out use a slim piece of stiff plastic and wiggle it out.... it just kind of presses in... john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Sun, 23 May 2010, Paul Kershner wrote: # After 18 months of driving the company truck, finally sold the Volvo V70 XC # AWD and got the 1991 300D W124 on the road again. # # # # Everything seems to work except two things: # # # # The instrument lights and controls illumination won't light up and the # warning light on the dash that indicates a burnt out bulb is on. Fuse is # OK, voltage on downstream side of fuse. The dimmer feels really rough - # thinking it may be the dimmer switch. Does anyone have a wiring diagram to # verify that all these lights go thru that dimmer? If so, does anyone know # how to remove the instrument cluster? Dimmer is also the trip odometer # reset and is imbedded in the cluster. (note that I said "imbedded" without # any reference to software - I'm sure that is the first time you've heard it # out of that context in a while.) # # # # Also, the front dome light flashes when the front doors are open. Any # clues? # # # # Paul Kershner # ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 06:40:05 -0700 From: "Paul Kershner" Subject: RE: [db] W124 instrument lights Thanks, Mike. Will try getting it out with a few tools I have from my radio installation days. Already did a little prying and it seemed to move a little. Didn't know if it was the speedo cable or what... If I could get at the dimmer, I could jumper it like you said. Even put a dimmer elsewhere... pk - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz@digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz@digest.net] On Behalf Of Mike Frank Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 4:00 AM To: diesel-benz@digest.net Subject: Re: [db] W124 instrument lights The dash dimmers are a weak point. You can replace it, or just jumper around it so the lights are bright all the time. Removing and replacing the dash is a test of patience more than anything. First, it's a good idea to have a pair of dash hooks (like these: http://tinyurl.com/24vml2m If you don't have the hooks, you can use a couple of small screwdrivers to pry out the dash pod, but be careful not to do any visible damage. The pod doesn't just pop out, because it's held in mainly by the speedometer cable. If you're lucky, it will pull out far enough for you to get your hand behind and undo it. Otherwise, you'll have to take up the carpet and loosen the retaining clamp to allow enough slack. In addition to the speedometer, you will have to feel around and remove about a dozen connectors (and just think, you'll have to re install them the same way. When everything is unplugged, the pod will pop out. You will see the ceramic dimmer switch, and can do your stuff. The "bulb failure" lamp has nothing to do with the dash. Somewhere, there's a bad lamp. Unlike my 201, I never had this misfire on my 124. Look for a stop light or fog light problem if it's not immediately apparent. Mike Frank At 01:30 AM 5/24/2010, you wrote: >After 18 months of driving the company truck, finally sold the Volvo V70 XC >AWD and got the 1991 300D W124 on the road again. > > > >Everything seems to work except two things: > > > >The instrument lights and controls illumination won't light up and the >warning light on the dash that indicates a burnt out bulb is on. Fuse is >OK, voltage on downstream side of fuse. The dimmer feels really rough - >thinking it may be the dimmer switch. Does anyone have a wiring diagram to >verify that all these lights go thru that dimmer? If so, does anyone know >how to remove the instrument cluster? Dimmer is also the trip odometer >reset and is imbedded in the cluster. (note that I said "imbedded" without >any reference to software - I'm sure that is the first time you've heard it >out of that context in a while.) > > > >Also, the front dome light flashes when the front doors are open. Any >clues? > > > >Paul Kershner ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 09:46:56 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: RE: [db] W124 instrument lights the fuses will fake you out... microcracks happen... both mark and I have gone through this with both of our benzes... his 123 and my 124. :) we meter, test light... all is happy... but things weren't happy... replaced the fuses and happiness happened... YMMV. looks and meters can be deceived, here's three photos to show this point: http://johnmeister.com/DieselBenz/TECH/BEWARE_THE_FUSES/ john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On Mon, 24 May 2010, Paul Kershner wrote: # Even tho all the fuses have some amount of corrosion on them, they seem to # be fine, as all have voltage registering on the copper tabs on the # downstream side of the fuses (just for fun, I replaced fuse #3. The # instrument, marker and license plate lights are in the circuit on fuse #3, # of which the latter two light up when the headlights are turned on. Dimmer # is downstream from the fuse which is the only common point for all the # instrument lights. Power overload is fine. # # pk # # -----Original Message----- # From: owner-diesel-benz@digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz@digest.net] On # Behalf Of john # Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 12:21 AM # To: Paul Kershner # Cc: diesel-benz@digest.net # Subject: Re: [db] W124 instrument lights # # might save yourself some time by replacing all the fuses... # serious... # # then maybe the power overload relay, I have a good one if you # want to try it... # # to get the cluster out use a slim piece of stiff plastic and wiggle # it out.... it just kind of presses in... # # john # # # # ----- # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold # http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum # http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us # ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # # # On Sun, 23 May 2010, Paul Kershner wrote: # # # After 18 months of driving the company truck, finally sold the Volvo V70 # XC # # AWD and got the 1991 300D W124 on the road again. # # # # # # # # Everything seems to work except two things: # # # # # # # # The instrument lights and controls illumination won't light up and the # # warning light on the dash that indicates a burnt out bulb is on. Fuse is # # OK, voltage on downstream side of fuse. The dimmer feels really rough - # # thinking it may be the dimmer switch. Does anyone have a wiring diagram # to # # verify that all these lights go thru that dimmer? If so, does anyone # know # # how to remove the instrument cluster? Dimmer is also the trip odometer # # reset and is imbedded in the cluster. (note that I said "imbedded" # without # # any reference to software - I'm sure that is the first time you've heard # it # # out of that context in a while.) # # # # # # # # Also, the front dome light flashes when the front doors are open. Any # # clues? # # # # # # # # Paul Kershner # # # ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 May 2010 11:52:31 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] wagoneers.com I'm seriously considering selling the "wagoneers.com" domain. I have to relocate the server in the near future... wagoneers.com gets a lot of traffic so it's going to be a challenge to find a suitable location that will not degrade it's performance... I registered the domain in 1997 or so. I've tried hosting it on lower speed connections and it was horrible... rather than attempt to do that again I'll sell it. It's been in the top 10% of registered domains for some time... not sure where 482,554 ranks overall, haven't looked for some time, nor have I done anything to enhance it. I will keep most of my content at johnmeister.com, but would be willing to sell content that is suitable with the domain... and of course the advertising, although it's quite limited. Anyone know how to market/sell a well established and commercially viable domain???? Of course I'd consider trading for camera gear or vehicles... ;) Oh yeah, and you get the FSJ sticker and all rights to it as well... for the right price I'll sell the physical server as well... it's a Sun Ultra 20 running Opertron chip set and SuSE Linux... physical hosting is also available, not sure what the monthly costs will be, I can research that... john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 22:19:39 -0700 (PDT) From: john Subject: [db] J10 trailer... need roof more than it... just put my '75 J10 trailer on ebay since there are currently no listing fees... :) (thanx jim) item=160439608727 opening at $2500, no reserve, would like $3500 for it... it is the culmination of about 20 years of trial and error... just the right length of tongue for easy pulling and backing... surge brakes, wired for accessories with on board battery and charger... it's only minor downside is it weighs 2000lbs empty... but since it has a braking system that makes it legal for towing by smaller vehicles... in WA state your trailer must weigh no more than 40% of the tow vehicle... when the brakes are adjusted properly on this you can stop an XJ faster with the trailer than you can without it... those 11" disc brakes in the back work really well... it's a great trailer, very useful, but I have two pickups and need the money to pay for a new roof on my house... will deliver for travel expenses... :) I don't think you could hurt this thing without working at it really, really hard... http://wagoneers.com/FSJ/rigs/J10-dump-trailer/ it is licensed and titled... air in the tires, and right now there's a yard of bark dust sitting on a tarp in the bed, but there's this cool little momentary DPDT switch in the toolbox that will solve the bark dust problem... :) john ----- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://AMSOIL.com/redirect.cgi?zo=283461 si vis pacem, para bellum http://johnmeister.com http://wagoneers.com http://fotomeister.us - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #3286 **********************************