Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started by: twistedtree on April 14, 2010, 22:34:48

Title: Extra fuse for left high beam
Post by: twistedtree on April 14, 2010, 22:34:48
I was having trouble getting the left high beam working on my '70 280SL and finally discovered a small, secondary fuse box mounted by the clutch fluid reservoir.  It doesn't show up on any of the wiring diagrams that I have.  It holds two fuses, but only one has wires going to it, and sure enough it was blown.  I replaced it the lights started working.

What gives with this extra fuse box?  It appears to service nothing but the left high beam and seems redundant with fuse #10 in the main box.

And that leads me to another issue.  The high beam flasher doesn't work either.  According to the wiring diagram, it goes directly from Fuse #1, to the steering column stalk, then to fuse #10.  I have power at fuse #1, but nothing at fuse #10.

Before I start pulling apart connectors on the steering column, are there any more undocumented fuses that I should be aware of?  In other cars, the stalk operates a relay, not the light directly, but that doesn't appear to be the case wiht teh W113?

Thanks, as always,

Peter
Title: Re: Extra fuse for left high beam
Post by: dtuttle123 on April 14, 2010, 22:54:25
Hi Peter - If it's the same fuse box that I'm thing about - the auxiliary two fuse box was used for a couple of things - the radio, and the power antenna.  I think I've heard that fog lights could be wired through there.

 I don't know about the left high beam - that doesn't sound right - that's #10.   

Attached is the fuse description from my 250SL - may be different for the 280SL.
Title: Re: Extra fuse for left high beam
Post by: twistedtree on April 14, 2010, 23:39:23
The fuse designations are the same on the 280, at least for the headlights.   As best I can tell, the wire is supposed to go directly from fuse #10 to the left high beam, but actually runs through this aux fuse box.  Maybe a previous owner hacked things for some reason.
Title: Re: Extra fuse for left high beam
Post by: Richard Madison on April 15, 2010, 00:22:28
If you are asking about the highbeam flasher that is part of the multi-function column switch, this function was disabled on USA version cars. Can be restored by following the steps in the Tech Manual.

Richard M, NYC

Title: Re: Extra fuse for left high beam
Post by: twistedtree on April 16, 2010, 01:03:44
Yes, that's what I'm talking about.  Many thanks for the pointer - you saved me a ton of time.  I missed that part of the tech manual and will see if I can restore the function.

Other than seized wiper spindles and a front end rebuild, I think I'm ready for state inspection.
Title: Re: Extra fuse for left high beam
Post by: xcashewx on April 16, 2010, 02:12:26
i restored the flash function on my car as well. took ten minutes. just locate the disconnected wire which will be taped, and re connect it. easy as that
Title: Re: Extra fuse for left high beam
Post by: J. Huber on April 16, 2010, 04:07:45
i restored the flash function on my car as well. took ten minutes. just locate the disconnected wire which will be taped, and re connect it. easy as that

reconnect to what, exactly?
Title: Re: Extra fuse for left high beam
Post by: Peter van Es on April 16, 2010, 15:12:14
See the middle of this page: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Lightswitch