lighting problem

[Joe]

Tracking down the reason my right tail light and right parking light do not work, I discovered fuse no. 6 (counting from the fender side) was blown. I replaced the fuse, and it again blew when I turned on the lights.
Since the aforementioned tail light and parking light were disconnected when I replaced the fuse and turned the switch on, the problem is not in the lights themselves.
Also, my dash lights no longer work. I suspect these problems are related, and that when redoing my dash, I connected something wrong.
Any ideas?
Joe

[Jonny B]

I had a similar problem with the rear license plate light. It turned out that the wires going into the plug for the taillight assembly were mixed up. If the left side is okay, that should give a template as to which wires go where. (I had a similar issue with the left side head light, the wrong lights were coming on at the fog position, I checked the right light, found some differences, made the left one match and voila! corrected it) The grounding wire (brown) might be the place to start. Also make sure all the grounding connections are tight and clean.

If all the bulbs are okay, and the fuses are alright, did you connect the brown grounding wire to the back of the main instruments? The brown wire fits over the knurled nut that holds the keeper (u-shaped bracket) in place. Also, it is important to have the correct keeper on each instrument. The one for the tach has a small bump out that keeps it from touching one of the light connections (my mechanic found this one after much constertnation - and several smoking wires).

Good luck.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[jeffc280sl]

I looked at a wiring diagram for a 280SL and it indicates the right rear parking lights are connected to fuse 7. Left rearparking light connected to fuse 8.   Fuse 6 feeds 2 devices.  The heater blower switch and starter valve relay. Which model year do you have?  I've got the BBB and I can send you a copy provided I can find it.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Joe]

Thanks, Jeff. I have a copy of the BBB, too. I'll take a look at the wiring diagram and see what I can find out. I did R&R the heater, so I may have reconnected wires wrong. However, the fuse 6 blew when I turned on the lights. I hate these sorts of problems.
Joe

[jeffc280sl]

Joe,

According to the BBB fuse 6 on a 250SL contains the starter relay, rich mixture relay and the heater blower.  It uses a 25 amp fuse as does #2.  All other fuses are 8 amp.

Just go slowly, I'm sure you can solve the problem.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed