drivers side head light is dim

[Frank]

Aloha,   Have tried to locate info on this subject "Drivers side head light is dim when switched on, pass side is nice and bright, and blinks in time with left turn flasher when signal flasher is engaged.  This is on a 1970 280sl, production date 2-10-1969.  If there is an existing thread on the subject please guide me as I a novice when it comes to forums.  Mahalo in advance for guidance

aloha  Frank

[Jack Jones]

Each headlamp is grounded to the headlamp bucket and if the connection becomes corroded or disconnected, the lamp will become dim. Also when you turn your signal on, because your ground is not sufficient it will search for a ground through the other circuits. The ground strap would be the first place to look.

[Frank]

Aloha Jack Jones,  Read your guidance, pulled the head light, found the LOOSE ground wire, wire brushed and re-tightened AND "bang"...just like new!  Thank you very much. 

I've another grimlin to deal with which you may have trouble shoot/repair knowledge of, that being "non functional "Backup lights"

All rear light functions are in order except the backup lights.  I've replaced the blubs still no go.  The car will start in Park, Reverse, and Neutral...I'm aware that "Reverse" should not be in the start group.

Any guidance on testing  the "start inhibitor/reverse lamp switch" or adjusting the control cable controling it?  Much Mahalos

Frank

[Bonnyboy]

Frank, check the harness for the backup light on the tranny.  I'm not familiar with automatics as I have a manual, but my harness had a break in a wire - check continuity for the wires and you may find that a wire is broken internally - or broken right off like on my car. 

[Frank]

Will do Bonnyboy...after about an hour, I've had little success locating info on the "neutral safety switch"...benzworld has scant info on the subject as well...have no idea what gives with that...on ward!  Mahalo Bonnyboy for the reply

Aloha

[66andBlue]

.... I've had little success locating info on the "neutral safety switch"....

Shoulda searched here instead of Benzworld! 
See that "Search" button on top? Click on it, type in "neutral safety switch", and then you'll spend the rest of the day reading through lots of information!  But much better than watching re-runs of Hawai Five-0

[Jack Jones]

Good Day Frank,

I am happy your headlamp issue is fixed and I would recommend one more thing. Remove the ground strap and put some Di-electric grease on the eyelet then reinstall it. Di-electric grease is conductive and will help prevent corrosion from causing further problems.

Regarding the neutral start/reverse light switch, I have not worked on this specific switch and would take the advice already given to read the information on this site. 

[Frank]

Aloha Jack Jones ,

"Neutral Safety Switch"   Lacking any actionable ideas as to "trouble shooting" the NSS from various searches, both here and on other forums, I did the following.  Hope this will assist you if the need arises.  The NSS provides 3 functions,,,start in P...break light on...and start in N.   Any thing else and the unit is out of adjustment or is kaaput.

Looking at the NSS from the front of the w113 as it is mounted on the firewall, the control lever is on the left, actuated by a bowden cable from the autmatic trans.   On the right side are 6 poles (on mine) revealed when the plug is removed.  I'll label the poles as follows;
           a   b   c
           d   e   f

Continuity is key here...is the unit good?...correct position of lever to action desired

 #1 with the lever disconnected from the bowden cable, place in the bottom out down position.  Use ohm meter...my experience was poles c and f were the only points showing continuity...must be "P" start

 #2 Move the lever up till a slight click can be felt or heard...chk continuity...my experience, only poles b and e showed continuity...must be back up lights

I plugged the harness back in and bang I had backup lights...  Any way, I put my car in reverse, adjusted the cable so that the cup connector lined up with the ball on the lever held in this position, got back into the car for the real test, start in P, NO start in R and start in N. 

All is well until something else pops up...hope this is of some help...thanks again to you, 66andblue and bonnyboy

later...frank

                                         

 

[ja17]

Frank,

Often times the control cable bends or breaks where it connects to the transmission linkage.  You should raise the car and check the cable first.

[Frank]

Aloha ja17, 

The cable is OK and have readjusted as per my previous post.  That post is rambling and may seem confusing...but worked for me.

Frank