Author Topic: Do you know where this plugs into?  (Read 6238 times)

Jim Donati

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Do you know where this plugs into?
« on: September 30, 2018, 23:59:17 »
The panel under the driver's side of my dashboard fell down today on my 1970 280SL.   I went to put the panel back in place, but when I did, I noticed there was a bundle of wires with a 2 prong connector that was not connected to anything.  I did not see anything that looked like this could plug into.

Is this connector (see photos) supposed to be plugged in somewhere, or is it something that is there for service technicians to connect diagnostic equipment to?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
« Last Edit: October 01, 2018, 05:27:36 by Donati »

Jonny B

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2018, 05:56:54 »
I would not be for diagnostics. The only electronics on these cars (the earlier ones anyway)  would be the radio! If yours is an electronic ignition car that would be further electronics, but very rudimentary, no diagnostics.

If there was restoration work done, could it have been from the door open light? That is, might a previous owner just tuck it up under the dash to get it out of the way??

Does the light under the dash to the right of the steering wheel (under the dash) go on/off with the door open?? Or the red light on the dash in the center cluster?
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
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Pawel66

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2018, 06:13:52 »
Cannot see if there is a plug on the brake light switch, is there?
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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Tyler S

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2018, 13:37:03 »
I think Jonny may be onto something.
The only other thing that would be in that area would be a clutch pedal switch on a manual trans car. But yours being auto ot wouldnt have this.
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450sl

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2018, 16:54:47 »
Doorswitch?

Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2018, 16:56:48 »
Jonny B, thanks for your suggestions, but the door light and the red light on the dash both come one when I open the door.

Also, thanks to Pawel66, but my brake lights work when the ignition is on and I step on the brakes.

Anybody else have any ideas what this connector should be used for?

450sl

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2018, 17:00:03 »
High Low beam?

Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2018, 17:03:08 »
Nope, High/Low beams work properly.
These are good suggestions,  Keep them comming.

scoot

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2018, 18:47:49 »
Cigarette lighter.
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2018, 18:57:09 »
Another good suggestion, but the Cig lighter works, as does the radio, air cond fan and the heater/defroster fan. Clock works, all exterior clearance lights, turn signals, headlights, etc.   I just cannot think what it could possible go to.

450sl

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2018, 19:10:53 »
Brakelight  kickdown

Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2018, 19:12:32 »
I am not sure what you mean by "Brakelight Kickdown" but I do know that my brake lights are working.

rgafitanu@gmail.com

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2018, 19:42:06 »
Do pagodas have a rear dome light? My W111 coupe has a rear dome light and the switch is located to the far left of the steering wheel on the dash with a connector like that.

Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2018, 19:46:07 »
My hardtop has no lights, but I have seen ones with some electrical.  I can’t remember if it was a dome light or a center brake light that I saw and I don’t  know if that was a factory option or an aftermarket addition.

Pawel66

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #14 on: October 01, 2018, 22:04:18 »
I think this socket is not there.

 ;)

I was trying to think across the devices in this area, but it does not hold, really:
- washer pump - other side of fire wall
- kick-down switch - other side of firewall
- trouble light socket - does not have this type of connector, I think
- I thought heated rear window - but original installation (yes, it goes that way) does not have this connector in that place, there is just connector in B-pillar

Maybe somebody just connected some accessory there? Additional switch?
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #15 on: October 01, 2018, 22:09:23 »
Possibly.  Given that everything seems to be working correctly, and I cannot find any receptable where it could possibly plug into, I guess I will just replace the panel cover and tuck the connector behind it.

Thanks everyone for trying.

Jim

waltklatt

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #16 on: October 02, 2018, 15:16:45 »
Jim,
What color are the wires in the plug?
Walter

Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #17 on: October 03, 2018, 05:41:23 »
I did not notice what color the wires were before I buttoned it all back up.   The connections is not visible now, but I can remove the panel and look tomorrow if you think it might some this mystery. 

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #18 on: October 03, 2018, 09:05:54 »
Hi,
On the 70/71 SLs, there is a “key in ignition” buzzer which sounds when you open the drivers door with key in ignition.
The switch for the buzzer is located behind the ignition barrel.

Could be plug for that switch.

Naj
68 280SL

450sl

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #19 on: October 03, 2018, 13:27:57 »
Or the plug that goes under the car in a bracket , connecting gearboxswitches..

Tyler S

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #20 on: October 03, 2018, 20:02:11 »
Or the Buzzer itself. Someone didnt like the sound so unplugged and removed it. Have a read here. The location of the plug makes sense.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6596.0
« Last Edit: October 03, 2018, 20:06:28 by Tyler S. »
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

Benz Dr.

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #21 on: October 03, 2018, 22:54:18 »
Or the Buzzer itself. Someone didnt like the sound so unplugged and removed it. Have a read here. The location of the plug makes sense.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6596.0

That makes the most sense since anything under the car or further away would have a longer lead on the wire.
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Jonny B

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #22 on: October 04, 2018, 07:47:46 »
Another check would be to pull the door open sensor in the A pillar between the door hinges. On my car, this switch has four male connectors.

One for the light and one for the buzzer?
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #23 on: October 04, 2018, 20:37:50 »
I have never heard a buzzer in my car since I purchased it 10 years ago.   If vehicles of my date of production and delivered to the U.S. in fact had door buzzers, it sounds logical that is what this mystery plug goes to.   I have no desire to put it back in, and everything else is working, so I’m good as it is.

Thanks everyone

Jim

Peter van Es

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #24 on: October 08, 2018, 14:50:39 »
Donati,

I have the same plug, at the same location in my 1970 280SL. And no, it's not connected to anything. I'll go and have a sleuth using an ohmmeter to see if I can figure something out.

Won't be this week though...

Peter
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Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #25 on: October 08, 2018, 16:48:15 »
Peter: That is very interesting that your '70 has the same unconnected plug as mine. I will be interested in knowing what you learn.

Jim

Mike Hughes

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #26 on: October 08, 2018, 17:26:01 »
Since yours is a 1970 model, given the location of the connector I'm going to go with either a clutch pedal/starter interlock switch or a door buzzer.  Door buzzer seems more likely, simply because the then new requirement for an audible "key in the ignition" warning was annoying as all get out and a lot of us used to disable the */!@# thing back in the day.
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Jim Donati

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #27 on: October 08, 2018, 17:28:37 »
 ;D  very reasonable suggestion.  You could be correct :)

ja17

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Re: Do you know where this plugs into?
« Reply #28 on: October 08, 2018, 20:30:28 »
Yes, latest Pagodas (maybe just USA) had a round warning buzzer.  Green and red colors possibly?
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