Author Topic: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie  (Read 2989 times)

teahead

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Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« on: June 23, 2019, 17:22:10 »
Hey there, thought I'd start a new thread on some stuff that's confusing to me.  Appreciate any insight on them.

1) How do you operate the high beams?  I see no mention of this in the owner's manual.  Pulling the turn signal stalk towards me does nothing.

2) Where is this couresy light?  I looked under the dash for it.  Should light up when I open the door.  ALso, the owner's manual says there is some courtesy light switch "left of the light" and talks about 3 positions.

3) Ignition key position.  "Garage Position" (position "1" out of 0, 1, and 2 positions). Should the radio come on during this position?  Seems to only come on w/position "2" ("Drive"), which would drain the battery if you want to hear the radio w/the engine off.

4) Automatic trans seems to shift kind of hard.  Normal or a vacuum modulator adjustment (if any)?

5) Lifted rear panels behind the seat.  Saw a puddle of water in one corner w/some surface rust underneath.  Sucked it out and treated the rust (thank goodness nothing serious and performations/holes).  This due to bad seals?  Guess I'll have to hose the car down and see where it's leaking from.

6) Another auto trans question:  is 4th 1:1 or OD?  ALso, if selector is in position 4 or 3, does it start in 2nd gear (like my W124)?

7)  I ordered a new blower switch (checked the fuse; good) since no blower action.   The current switch seems to turn a lot (like at least 180deg) and then there's one "detent" (or "notch" I suppose) and that's it; won't turn anymore.  Is it not supposed to turn so much?  Like it's broken?  Manual says there are "two stages":  clockwise against notch (stage 1).  Turning beyond notch (stage 2).

8) Engine behaviour.  In "P" or "N", there's a slight hesitation from IDLE to say, 1000-1200 RPM, but in "D", no hesitation that I can sense.  Normal?

9) Engine seems to run a LITTLE rich when driving behind her w/the wife driving the Pagoda.  Any adjustment on that?  Or would injectors needs maybe cleaning/service.

10) is my console supposed to have a wood bottom?  See attached.  Maybe just get a liner on there.

Thanks all!  A lot to ask I know.  Any comments are definitely welcome.  Wife and I totally love little "Edelweiss".  ;)
« Last Edit: June 23, 2019, 18:27:08 by teahead »
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

mbzse

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2019, 17:56:32 »
Quote from: teahead
.../...ordered a new blower switch (checked the fuse; good) since no blower action.../...
Did you verify that the blower motor works? See it in attachment (note: borrowed pictures).
These may gum up when not being used, and car is standing idle long periods. Unfortunately, the blower motor is hard to get to for repairs, mounted deep in under the dash
/Hans S

teahead

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2019, 18:09:02 »
Sorry, total doe-head.

Easy to access that blower wiring to maybe jump the wires to test the motor?   Issue with underdash AC in the way?
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

JamesL

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2019, 18:37:44 »
Main beam is on the floor. Button down by the clutch

I think it’s a brilliant place for it.

Stalk towards yay is flash the lights. Stalk away is washers.
James L
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Pawel66

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2019, 19:34:03 »
Main beam is on the floor. Button down by the clutch

I think it’s a brilliant place for it.

Stalk towards yay is flash the lights. Stalk away is washers.
On American cars this is disconnected, I think.

You will find a courtesy light under the middle part of dash in the upholstery dash trim - small plastic lamp with the switch in it.

There is usually a piece of carpet placed on the bottom of the console. Usually same as all carpets, with same band finish as other carpets. In some cars you may find leather. Not practical - things slide back and forth.

Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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W121 190SL
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JamesL

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2019, 20:09:20 »
Thanks Patel,
Didn’t know that
James L
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teahead

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2019, 20:24:45 »
Oh man, don't I feel stoopid.

That floor switch...same as American cars (so used to messing with my old BMW E9).

And yup, that dang courtey light right in the middle.  Duh.  I asume I have to take apart the lower dash to change the bulb.  *sigh*.

Uggh...I don't see the electrical plugs readily on that blower motor.   Uggh again.

No idea what that yellow wire is for.

1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

teahead

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2019, 20:26:34 »
On American cars this is disconnected, I think.

You will find a courtesy light under the middle part of dash in the upholstery dash trim - small plastic lamp with the switch in it.

There is usually a piece of carpet placed on the bottom of the console. Usually same as all carpets, with same band finish as other carpets. In some cars you may find leather. Not practical - things slide back and forth.

Okay, so high beams are ONLY on the floor.  US cars, no worky w/the flash on the stalk?

Hah!  So that's a piece of carpet on the console!  I assumed there was no bottom and that as the carpet attached to the trans tunnel.  Crazy stuff.
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

Pawel66

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2019, 04:29:19 »
No need to remove any trim to change the bulb in the courtesy lamp, you can get to it  by prying it out gently from the dash trim mould.

The headlight flash on US cars - may want to confirm with Members who have the US cars. I read about it (mine is Euro) on the forum.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
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mrfatboy

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2019, 04:42:54 »
My US car only had floor switch only activated high beams.   I added a jumper in the connector under dash to make it work with the stalk like euro cars.  Easy to do.

Check out thread by Tyler S.
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Shvegel

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #10 on: June 24, 2019, 13:28:10 »
Auto trans is kind of clunky even when adjusted properly.  Due to chassis constraints they held on to the older transmission in the W113 body for a few extra year.  However, there is a chance that the 3 position solenoid on top of the transmission has stuck in the linkage.  This solenoid adjusts the control pressure in the transmission for park, normal and full throttle.  In park pressure is low.  In normal pressure is well, normal and in kickdown it goes up.  If it gets stuck in kickdown it will cause harsher shifts and first gear starts.  There are plenty of descriptions here on how to access it if you use the search function.  Luckily for u it is designed to be serviced rather than having to pull the gearbox.

BenzDr can chime in here but I think you can also turn the key on without starting and mash the gas and listen for the click of the solenoid to see if it is free.

su8pack1

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #11 on: June 26, 2019, 01:42:24 »
High beam switch on the floor was the norm back in the 50's & 60's in the states. Anybody remember when the starter button was under the gas peddle on some cars?
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Benz Dr.

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #12 on: June 26, 2019, 02:32:56 »
Benz Dr. needs to let all you young bucks handle some of these tough questions. Seems you're doing OK without me.

Don't worry, I learned my fair share being around here. No other place like it either.   :)
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teahead

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2019, 02:45:10 »
Hah, told you they were stupid questions.

I've learned a ton already going through the tech articles.

Still can't find out whether this blaupunkt is wired correctly.

Ie only comes on in position 2.
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

Pawel66

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #14 on: June 26, 2019, 06:54:23 »
May want to take a look here:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27466.msg197177#msg197177

As per factory the radio is powered in "Accessory" position, between "Zero" and ignition. Antenna is powered all the time.
Pawel

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

teahead

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Re: Stupid questions from a W113 noobie
« Reply #15 on: June 26, 2019, 14:12:08 »
May want to take a look here:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27466.msg197177#msg197177

As per factory the radio is powered in "Accessory" position, between "Zero" and ignition. Antenna is powered all the time.

Thanks!  Guess whoever installed this radio did it wrong.  When I'll yank out this Blaupunkt stuff, I'll search for the red/green wire.
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"