Stalls when lights switched on ?

[Ben]

One of the guys in the Mercedes Club has the following with his car, a 250SE, anyone any clues ?

"I seem to have one strange problem after the other this year!

This time the car starts and runs fine, idles OK, warm or cold. But when I switch the headlights on (or the indicators or the windscreen wipers) the engine runs for another fifteen seconds and then cuts out, almost as if it runs out of fuel. Terrible in London traffic!

Then start up again and off it goes again, until the next traffic light, unless I switch the headlights off.

Anyone any idea/had this before?

Paul

1966 W111 250SE Cabriolet "

I told him this group was wonderful at this type of thing ?  

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[Naj ✝︎]

Ben,
I think he should buy a Pagoda  
Then he will be able to get some proper help!!
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[Naj ✝︎]

On a more serious note, I think its a voltage drop issue. I believe the light switch gets its feed from the ign switch and it may be some corrosion or frayed wires in that area. Maybe just corroded fuses?
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

[knirk]

I think it must be fuel related since it runs for 15 seconds. If the fuel pump wireing is not optimum - for some reason, like a bad ground - this could perhaps lead to a power drop large enough to reduce it's capacity or shut it down when the other users are switched on.

Per G. Birkeland
69 280 sl aut 834
Norway

[Ben]

I think there's a possibilty of either causes to be honest !

I guess a quick way would be to hot wire the coil and drive it,see what happens then maybe hotwire the pump to eliminate/verify !

I assume this car is an auto, I never thought to ask, but would that idle solenoid feature here anywhere..........I dont know anything about them !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[Cees Klumper]

I doubt whether it would be the constant speed solenoid from these symptoms.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Benz Dr.]

Power goes to the light switch first and then to the ignition switch. Sounds like it's shorting out inside of the light switch.

Daniel G Caron