Author Topic: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches  (Read 6049 times)

swood1

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230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« on: November 01, 2017, 21:22:52 »
It's a long story but the harness on my car has some connectors unlabelled.  I'm struggling to recognise what they are for.  It's a long shot but I was wondering if anyone had any photos of a harness laid out showing the connectors with either the numbers or there use?


Regards

Steven
250 SL (early), in bits. Triumph TR4a

114015

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2017, 22:38:38 »
Hello Steven,

Understandable ...
but there isn't.
The plugs/connectors or harness ends are not labeled or numbered by the factory - for instance as indicated in the wiring diagram.

Once you put in the harness into the car the plugs/ends "find their way" where to go.

There are indeed a few confusions though.
For instance which plug/connector goes with which relais on the relais bracket on the left inner fender.
Or which of the plugs with 4 wires go to which device behind the dashboard? The clock or the blower switch?
This has not clearly been indicated.
Some "places" carry red labels, e.g. the outlet and plug that go to the column stalk. But all others are basically not marked.

Only way to identify clearly is by looking at the colors of the wires and compare those with the wiring diagram (see our Wiki).
Even more surprising is that the original factory wiring harness does not indicate which color coding each wire has ...
Only our "aftermarket" wiring diagrams have ...  :) :D

My advice,
take you time, "block" the ones which are already clear, e.g. the connectors for the tail lights and head lights and so on. You can label those - even with numbers - in the same way as they are labeled in the wiring diagram. Then only the "obscure" ones remain.
Basically, only some of the connectors with 4 wires/openings are "left over".
Often the one or the other has only three wires included instead of 4. Then you know where it goes and so on. It's not too hard.  ;)


Good luck, :)

Achim
(wiringharnessaficionado)

« Last Edit: November 27, 2017, 22:26:26 by 114015 »
Achim
(Germany)

swood1

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2017, 10:19:04 »
Thanks Achim,

Once again your advice is helpful. I guess what I am already doing is correct. It was the ones behind the dash that i was struggling with, its hard to see the wire colours but patience may lead to rewards...
I shall have another go tonight, I suppose I should see it as a puzzle...


Steven

250 SL (early), in bits. Triumph TR4a

450sl

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #3 on: November 02, 2017, 11:36:44 »
here you are

450sl

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #4 on: November 02, 2017, 11:37:21 »
and

Paul & Dolly

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #5 on: November 02, 2017, 14:31:08 »
This looks like a job I hope I never have to tackle........

Keep focused

Paul
Paul (located in Cardiff - Wales - UK)
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swood1

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2017, 21:19:57 »
Your photos show the colours of the wires alot better than the original wires.  I shall peel back the protection on my harness this weekend so I can see the colours properly and spend some time tracking each branch of wires etc. 

I admire the dedication.  I dont think I would have the patience to make a new harness.  I would rather spend the money to buy new.

Steven
250 SL (early), in bits. Triumph TR4a

450sl

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2017, 11:02:37 »
Did one for a W107 several years ago.

Made 1 out of 3 complete harnesses , i found  that Mb uses one basic loom and has additional pieces for every extra option the car had ;  really nice job,
dont know of this applies for w113.

And each color they use , have their own dedication , so this makes it also a bit easier to navigate.

Mark
 

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #8 on: November 04, 2017, 03:32:13 »
Steven, I have some logical wiring road maps I made from previous restorations.  If you call out the colors, number of wires in the group and the locations, I should be able to help out.
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

swood1

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #9 on: November 04, 2017, 22:58:40 »
Hi,

Let me list the wire colours tomorrow, see if they make sense.  I have spent half the day today repairing some damaged wires and connectors etc.  Soldering the connectors isnt the easiest. I was thinking of making a little holding jig from some brass maybe.  Be interesting to understand how others do this..

Steven
250 SL (early), in bits. Triumph TR4a

swood1

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #10 on: November 04, 2017, 23:58:09 »
Hi Achim,

On the wiring schematics I notice there is a number next to each wire.  Does this number denote the wire thickness in mm?

Regards

Steven
250 SL (early), in bits. Triumph TR4a

mbzse

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2017, 00:19:19 »
Quote from: swood1
.../...there is a number next to each wire.  Does this number denote the wire thickness in mm.../...
It denotes the cross surface area of the wire in mmsquare  [mm2]
/Hans S

swood1

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2017, 17:00:48 »
After many hours last weekend and during the evenings I have managed to repair my harness.  In the end I took off the majority of the harness tape to check all the wires.  It would seem the previous owner had made quite a mess.  They had just been twisting wires together to get a connection and it looks like this caused some of the wires to melt.  I removed all the bodges and replaced them with fresh wire and used bullet connectors and a crimper.  I then tie wrapped (small ties), the wire bundles back together and wrapped them with fresh harness tape.  Have also performed continuity checks on all the wires.  I think I now know what everything does.  We shall see...


Steve
250 SL (early), in bits. Triumph TR4a

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Re: 230SL Wiring Harness layout showing branches
« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2017, 22:29:37 »


Great job, Steve.

Well done !  ;)



Achim

Achim
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