Headlight Wiring Grommets - Part number?

[ctaylor738]

There are two wiring grommets that I have not been able to find PNs for.

1. for the approx. 35mm holes at the front of the engine compartment.  On the left, for the hole for the light and horn wiring.  On the right, looks like just for the horn wires.

2. for the approx. 25mm holes where the wires run to the side marker lights.

Thanks as always,

[Jonny B]

Not sure if these are the ones, as you really can't tell the sizes from the parts book. There are three grommets listed under the Electrical Equipment and Instruments Table (this is table 21 in the 10202 big part book) Items 41, 42 and 43 the part numbers, respectively - 186 997 07 81, 111 997 13 81 and 111 997 15 81. They are listed as "grommets" no other description. The book lists that one of each is needed per car. The 186 997 07 81 is listed as applicable to version 10/50.

Definitely need a second opinion on this. I am not able to look at my car, as it is at the doctors office right now.

[Bernd]

Johnny, you are absolutely right. the parts manual is dismal when it comes to location and part numbers for all the rubber grommets. This would also be a good addition to the technical manual.

[Jonny B]

Chuck,  You can take a look at the K&K site. Go to the 113 catalog, and then under the rubber seals and gaskets sub heading, they have a set of grommets. These appear to be the same ones I had seen in the big parts manual. At least it is the same picture.

[ctaylor738]

I did look at the K&K site, but I don't want to buy the whole kit, since I already have the firewall set and the expensive L-shaped ones for the headlights.

I dug out some grommets that came with the car, and I believe that the grommet for where the lighting and horn harness goes through the frame is 186 997 07 81.  This is shown in the EPC as Qty 1, but listed twice (!).

In the EPC, the grommets for the side markers are shown under Electrical System, Side Reflectors, 115 997 20 81.

So I'm good to go, thanks to all for the help.

[66andBlue]

I dug out some grommets that came with the car, and I believe that the grommet for where the lighting and horn harness goes through the frame is 186 997 07 81.  This is shown in the EPC as Qty 1, but listed twice (!).

Chuck,
as Jonny B. described it in the 250SL/280SL spare parts list (Edition C) this part is listed twice:
1. on p. 173 as item #41 in Table 21 and is used 1x on LHD manual transmission cars only.
2. on p. 177 as item #74 in Table 21 and is used 1x on RHD manual and auto transmission cars.

I have just finished doing the wiring on my 280SL while visiting Joe Alexander and I found this grommet on my 280SL automatic also - but perhaps at a different spot from where you found it.  
Mine was after the split of the main harness (driver side branch) into to the part to the left head light bucket and the right part going through a hole in the front engine compartment wall and then across the front nose to the right head light. The attached photo shows it on my 230SL - and the 230SL spare parts list indeed shows it 1x for all versions.

Johnny, you are absolutely right. the parts manual is dismal when it comes to location and part numbers for all the rubber grommets. This would also be a good addition to the technical manual.

Joe Alexander and I are working on a "road map" for the wiring harness in the engine compartment with all part numbers for grommets,clamps and clips holding it.
We also plan to include the color coding for the various wires in the plugs that need to be taken apart in order to install the big main grommet on the fire wall.  The problem with this project is that this will be for an early 1968 US version 280SL car with automatic transmission. 1969 and 1970 model year cars will require a different road map.
Took me about 7 hours    to accomplish this "minor" task of sliding the big grommet along both harness strands (on right and left fender) to its location on the fire wall, I had the feeling it shrunk along the way.    No wonder so many are split and then inserted.

[ctaylor738]

Correct.  But there is also a hole of the same size at the bottom of the air cleaner area, which I believe is for the right side horn wiring.  I assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that's where the second grommet went. 

[66andBlue]

Chuck,
on my car the wiring for the horn went through the small hole in the bucket and that is also what Joe has seen on other cars.
The small hole in the middle is for the rubber buffer (p/n 112 987 0140) under the air filter housing.
We were also puzzled about the large hole and its use. On my car it has a different grommet, more of an inverse bell shape and we were wondering whether it functions as a drain.  

[ja17]

Hello,

I have seen the small hole, (third one in Alfred's picture, not labled), also used on other W113s used as the horn wire hole. 

[ctaylor738]

Got it, thanks.  Now a 10mm grommet for the small hole, and the buffer and I'm good to go.