Author Topic: drivers side head light is dim  (Read 7556 times)

Frank

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drivers side head light is dim
« on: March 10, 2014, 19:47:28 »
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

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2014, 00:49:24 »
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.
Jack Jones                                                                                                   
1970 280SL 4 Speed
1984 280SL 5 Speed

Frank

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2014, 19:42:06 »
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

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2014, 20:13:39 »
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. 
Ian
69 280SL
65 F-100
73 CB750K
75 MGB
78 FLH
82 CB750SC
83 VF 1100C
94 FLHTCU
08 NPS50
12 Pro 4X

Frank

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2014, 21:27:48 »
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

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2014, 22:01:06 »
.... 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 ;D
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

Jack Jones

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #6 on: March 12, 2014, 00:40:39 »
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. 
Jack Jones                                                                                                   
1970 280SL 4 Speed
1984 280SL 5 Speed

Frank

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #7 on: March 13, 2014, 20:08:35 »
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

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2014, 04:29:15 »
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.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Frank

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Re: drivers side head light is dim
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2014, 21:01:27 »
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