Author Topic: What is this electrical block/junction thing?  (Read 1461 times)

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4405
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
What is this electrical block/junction thing?
« on: March 15, 2023, 19:28:28 »
What is this electrical block/junction thing located just below the air filter housing area?
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4405
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
Re: What is this electrical block/junction thing?
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2023, 21:12:32 »
Well, the manual says "The Emission Control System is a set of 4 Relays, introduced by Mercedes on the W113 in 1969 to cope with California Laws ..."

My car is a Euro delivered 1966.

Should I clean this area up, trace some wires, and come back with more info?
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL

dirkbalter

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Corona
  • Posts: 1388
Re: What is this electrical block/junction thing?
« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2023, 21:25:59 »
Rodd,
It looks like the small junction box that is usually mounted to the oil pan and from there connects to the alternator?
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

ja17

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Blacklick
  • Posts: 7312
Re: What is this electrical block/junction thing?
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2023, 02:53:54 »
I think you pegged it Dirk! It is a very important terminal connection. The ignition, starter, and alternator are fed and feed power to many systems in the car from this terminal block. I never understood why Mercedes mounted it on the front of the oil pan where it is vulnerable to damage from road hazards or accidental impact. It is place you can hook your hand-held remote to crank the engine during valve adjustment or various other repairs. One of the small wires will activate the starter when power is applied.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2023, 02:58:37 by ja17 »
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Duncan200

  • Full Member
  • Senior
  • ***
  • Australia, Victoria, Rowville
  • Posts: 139
  • Just started my Restoration
Re: What is this electrical block/junction thing?
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2023, 04:32:12 »
Hi Rod,

On my 66 230 it’s the terminal block from the main harness on the right chassis rail.

It has the alternator plugs running off it and the main battery and starter motor feeds.

It’s mounted on the right horn captive bolt on the chassis rail on my car, so not sure about people saying it’s mounted on the oil pan??

Doug
1966 MB 230SL DB 717 4sp Australian Delivered Matching Numbers Car. One day it will be back on the road in all its glory.
2000 MB CLK430 Convertible
2001 Nissan 200SX Spec S
2019 Audi SQ7 Special Edition

Leester

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, VA, Lorton
  • Posts: 407
Re: What is this electrical block/junction thing?
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2023, 19:42:55 »
On 280SLs, at least mine anyway, that block is mounted on the front right side of engine block. Lee
Lee Backus
1963 220SE Cabriolet
1970 280SL (reassembling - hopefully soon)
1978 450SL (disassembled for paint)
1985 500SEC

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4405
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
Re: What is this electrical block/junction thing?
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2023, 23:17:59 »
Doug,

My setup is like yous.
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL