Diodes in tail light assembly

[justininia]

Good day to everyone.

We have run into a touch of trouble with our 280SL restore with the tail lights.  The left side keeps blowing the fuse.  I have tracked down the culprit to the two diodes in the tail lamp that appear to help power protect the circuit for the license plate lamps.  However, I am having a heck of a time finding a good replacement.  Does anyone have a source for the diodes?  The numbers on the diode are E1105 9F and the style is press fit.

Thanks,
Justin

[mdsalemi]

Justin, I just did an internet search for "E1105 Diode" and came up with plenty of data sheets, tech info--and a few sources...should not be hard to find.

[al_lieffring]

you should check the polarity of the wires to the side markers and to the license plate lights. it is common for the wires to become inverted in the plugs after paint or body repairs. The plug needs to be disassembled to pull the wires through the body.

this can go undetected for months after paint work was done because the new finish will act as an insulator.

my thinking is that the diode failure is the result of a circuit overload, not the cause of the problem. If you don't find the short first it may burn out the new diodes too.

Al

[pagoden]

I had a similar experience, Justin, losing LR & RF lights at first &/or second switch settings.  Condition set in after body/paint work at rear.  Feed from left light assy. to license plate lights is not polarity-protected by connector configuration.....and got reversed.  A little crazy-making for a bit, though I didn't lose a diode.  Given your familiarity with electronics -- and my lack of it -- I thought when I read "diode" I'd just keep to myself, but I think Al's got it.  
Hi Al; got my H2O sensor rejuvenated OK in Albuquerque.        And salutations, Dick; I hope I'm able to get out to see your project on the road this season.            Denny    

[Peter van Es]

I concur with Al. I've had that happen, after a paint job. The pins were inserted incorrectly in the connectors, ultimately leading to a short. This page in the Technical Manual (http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Connectors) has a list of all the connectors in the car (the link in the green blob with the light). It will help you troubleshoot the connectors to see if they still match what they should be.

Peter

[justininia]

Thanks for all the help.

I did end up finding new diodes (from the UK of all places).  Interestingly, the reverse lights started working without having to press in the new diodes.  When I tested them, the light was completely disconnected and out of the car.  The diode tested bad but after letting it sit for a week, the diode started testing good.  Craziness.  The threat of replacing the old ones must have been enough to keep them working for a while longer. 

Thanks again,
Justin