Extra fuse for left high beam

[twistedtree]

I was having trouble getting the left high beam working on my '70 280SL and finally discovered a small, secondary fuse box mounted by the clutch fluid reservoir.  It doesn't show up on any of the wiring diagrams that I have.  It holds two fuses, but only one has wires going to it, and sure enough it was blown.  I replaced it the lights started working.

What gives with this extra fuse box?  It appears to service nothing but the left high beam and seems redundant with fuse #10 in the main box.

And that leads me to another issue.  The high beam flasher doesn't work either.  According to the wiring diagram, it goes directly from Fuse #1, to the steering column stalk, then to fuse #10.  I have power at fuse #1, but nothing at fuse #10.

Before I start pulling apart connectors on the steering column, are there any more undocumented fuses that I should be aware of?  In other cars, the stalk operates a relay, not the light directly, but that doesn't appear to be the case wiht teh W113?

Thanks, as always,

Peter

[dtuttle123]

Hi Peter - If it's the same fuse box that I'm thing about - the auxiliary two fuse box was used for a couple of things - the radio, and the power antenna.  I think I've heard that fog lights could be wired through there.

 I don't know about the left high beam - that doesn't sound right - that's #10.   

Attached is the fuse description from my 250SL - may be different for the 280SL.

[twistedtree]

The fuse designations are the same on the 280, at least for the headlights.   As best I can tell, the wire is supposed to go directly from fuse #10 to the left high beam, but actually runs through this aux fuse box.  Maybe a previous owner hacked things for some reason.

[Richard Madison]

If you are asking about the highbeam flasher that is part of the multi-function column switch, this function was disabled on USA version cars. Can be restored by following the steps in the Tech Manual.

Richard M, NYC

[twistedtree]

Yes, that's what I'm talking about.  Many thanks for the pointer - you saved me a ton of time.  I missed that part of the tech manual and will see if I can restore the function.

Other than seized wiper spindles and a front end rebuild, I think I'm ready for state inspection.

[xcashewx]

i restored the flash function on my car as well. took ten minutes. just locate the disconnected wire which will be taped, and re connect it. easy as that

[J. Huber]

i restored the flash function on my car as well. took ten minutes. just locate the disconnected wire which will be taped, and re connect it. easy as that

reconnect to what, exactly?

[Peter van Es]

See the middle of this page: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Lightswitch