Headlight Flasher

[cyrilehandley]

I have a 280SL US import. The headlights have been changed to Euro style but the flasher does not work. I have done a search and see that this was not connected on US models, but the wiring is still there. Where and how do I rectify this?

[Raymond]

One place you can start is the Wiki Tech Manual.  http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Lightswitch.  It describes how to connect the flash-to-pass. 

Which you have depends on luck and the previous owner.  For some cars, you just need to hook it up.  For Some, you'll need to make some connectors.  For others, like mine, you'll need to do surgery on the very delicate and very expensive multi-function switch.  There is a great thread from "Longtooth" on the site  that describes how to do that.  Search headlight topics by him.

[jeffc280sl]

The flash to pass write up in the tech manual is incomplete.  I'll try to get around to fixing it in the coming days.  You need to install a relay in the circuit to complete the flash to pass function.  I'm sure that I have a write up of the fix on this site.  Search under my name and flash and you should find it.  

I looked into this and can say the relay is only used if you want to activate the hi/low beam head light from the blinker stalk.

[Olazz]

The flash to pass write up in the tech manual is incomplete.  I'll try to get around to fixing it in the coming days.

I removed my indicator unit today to try and hook up the high beam flasher. Removed fuse box and the white/pink wire is connected to white/black, both at no10 fuse, so all ok.
Removed all the connectors under dash and looks like all wires connected to the pins in the correct locations and trced wires back to flasher stalk.. again all looks ok.

However flasher doesn't work. I have tried to follow the Tech manual and looked at the wiring diagram but not too sure where to go from here on.

Jeffc any ideas on this?

[jeffc280sl]

Is your car a US or Euro version?

[Olazz]

Is your car a US or Euro version?

Car is  US version. The indicator stalk is obviously a little worn although fully functional with no intermittent problems. The right hand indicator does not always "hold". I've taken the switch out and noticed that the little pin is slightly bent and out of alignment.

I can see the contact for the washer motor, but cannot see any contact mechanism for the flasher unit. I've now read Longtooth's journal on his fix, but I'm not an engineer and def do not think I should try and take the switch apart to try and "fix things".

[jeffc280sl]

Let me refresh my memory and I'll get back to you

[paults1]

The headlight flasher on my '63 230SL only works on the left (drivers) side.  Originally shipped to Italy, then to the U.S. where the Euro headlights were replaced with the U.S. verison.  I replaced the U.S. with new Euro ones when I purchased the car in 1993. I did not know about the flasher feature untill I read this post.  Oh well, back to the tech manual.

[Olazz]

Ok, just tackled the headlight flasher again. At my first attempt, by the time I'd got to the under dash plugs it was getting dark, so didn't notice that there were no female connectors at pin 5 & 8. Ha!

From the wiki.

On a Flash disabled car, the 10 pin terminal block which connects to the Combination Switch on a 1970 280SL may be missing the wires at Pin 5 and Pin 8.
Must add a female connector (metal receptacle) to the terminal block at Pin 5 and Pin 8. The wire from Pin 5 must terminate at Fuse 1. The wire from Pin 8 should terminate on Fuse 10 and the job is finished.

I have a US spec car and the wiki shows a wiring diagram for the US car which shows pin 5 & 8 going to a switch C, that routes to fuse no 2 and the wiper motor relay.

Fused, I'm totally confused

Can anyone who is good at eletirckery help me on this?

 

[Peter van Es]

Here's the long tooth thread...

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=554.0

The stuff in the Wiki is from the old Pagoda113 site, now deduct. Someone should figure it out, document it and then put it in the Wiki!

Peter

[jeffc280sl]

Stick with the Wiki explanation.  For some reason the Haynes and Tech Manual are different regarding labeling of the combination switch.  That's the reason for the confusion.  Forget about diagrams and just make the connections as described in the Wiki