Ignition condenser confusion

[dseretakis]

Hi all,
Well, I'm still trying to get my 71 280 SL started after it stalled on the way home 3 weeks ago.  First I thought it might be fuel system related, and I still haven't completely ruled out the fuel system.  But since my ignition components are old and have not been replaced in a very long time, I'm renewing those. Currently I'm having trouble locating the right condenser for this car with transistorized ignition.  The old condenser has one wire that attaches to the points inside the distributor, the other wire attaches to terminal 7 on the ignition module.  Both wires are green.  I purchased the first new condenser from Rusty at buyMB parts.  It has one wire that attaches to points (green) and the other wire (white)seems to have a pigtail at either end presumably both ground wires?  Can I just remove these (ground?)wires and use the condenser?  Well, I called Rusty and had him send me another condenser.  This second condenser looks like the original, both green wires except that the wire going to terminal 7 is thicker and even more concerning is that the wire going to the points which is attached to plastic clip thing that clips onto condenser and slides into hole in distributor, is square rather than round so it won't fit into the round distributor hole.  Anyway, I am thoroughly confused here and don't know which setup to use.  Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Dimitri

[jeffc280sl]

I think you need to give Rusty your distributor part number.  It's very possible over the years it was replaced and now it will not fit the condensor.  I have a 1970 with transistorized ignition.  As I recall the large condensor wire you speak of is actually two wires.  I think the inner wire connects to terminal 7 and the outer wire to ground.  The outer wire acts as a shield and most likely helps keep the signal from the ignition module clean.  What is the part number of the distributor?

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[dseretakis]

Hi Jeff,
Where do you find the distributor part number?  The distributor is the cast aluminum one.  The long condenser wire does seem to be two wires.
Dimitri  

[jeffc280sl]

The part number is on the side of the distributor body.  Mine has the numbers 0231185010 and JFU6. Mine is aluminum also.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[dseretakis]

Jeff,
My distributor # is 02311116062 JFUR6.  I guess I'll have to call Rusty on Monday.
Thanks
Dimitri

[jeffc280sl]

Glad you found the number.  I'm sure Rusty can help you.  Here is a pic of the ignition wiring.  The condenser is at the bottom of the page.  The dotted line is the ground shield inside the green colored wire.

Download Attachment: Condenser.jpg
28.29 KB

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[dseretakis]

I spoke with Rusty today.  None of the condensers that he has or that MB supposedly lists for my car match the condenser that is currently on the car.  The one condenser with the ground wires will physically fit.  I'm just not sure where to attach the ground wires.  I assume the one ground wire attaches to the distributer body at the condenser mounting bracket?  Does the other (distal) ground wire attach to the transistor module body or bracket?
Dimitri
71 280SL

[jeffc280sl]

The other end of the ground attaches to the 2 lug terminal under the battery tray.  It is right next to the ignition box.  Make sure you attach the wires to the correct lug.  See figure 15-20/2 that I attached to an earlier post.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[dseretakis]

Jeff,
I can't tell from figure 15-20/2 which is the correct lug.  I  assume one lug is terminal 7.  Does the ground get hooked up to the lug right next to it or does it get hooked up to the "lug" attached to the battery tray where other wires are also attached?
Dimitri

[jeffc280sl]

Both wires terminate on a the 2 lug terminal block.  One side of the terminal block goes to the ignition box and the other to ground.  The ground side wiring will terminate on a bolt or something similar which will be connected to the frame.  The other lug from the 2 connector block will go to the ignition box.  Follow the old green wire to the block under the battery.  You may want to remove the battery to see clearly.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[dseretakis]

Jeff,
I'm still a little confused.  Do both wires end up on the same lug of the 2 lug terminal block or does one wire go to one lug and the other wire (ground wire) go to the other adjacent lug?  Since the old condenser has no ground wire,  I can only follow one wire which goes to one of the lugs.  I hope my descriptions are not too confusing.
Dimitri

[jeffc280sl]

The wires go to different lugs.  The "inside" wire goes to the lug that ends up at terminal 7 on the ignition module.  I'm almost certain the other lug is a ground.  You can check it with an ohm meter or follow wires that are connected to it and see if they end up connected to the frame or body.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[dseretakis]

Thanks Jeff.  I will check it out and update my progress.
Dimitri