NEW MEMBER 1971 280SL QUESTION

[RBYCC]

Just purchased a 1971 280SL ( VIN shows August 1970 production ) which should be delivered today.
Vehicle has had a bare metal respray in original color.
Was originally delivered without the hard top, but seller has provided one.

Noticed that it does not have a rear side marker light.
Seller not sure why and states possible USA car with Euro delivery?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I like to be active in forums as they are the best way to share info on specific vehicles.

Thanks !!

[jeffc280sl]

Welcome!

Your car look beautiful.  After 37 years your car could have been through many changes.  I suggest you order a "data card" for your car which will give you a lot of information about it as delivered by MB.  Do a search on this site for "data card" for how to request.

The current headlights are US style.  The bumpers are euro style without US DOT bumper guards.  Both items could have been changed or not changed over the years.  I prefer the sleek bumpers without the ugly vertical bumper guards.  When I rechromed my bumpers I had the guards removed and the holes filled.  

As far as the side lights I think they were a US DOT requirement.  It would not be too hard to add rear side lights if you want.  An explanation for no rear side lights may be that the fenders were changed out at some point.  All four of mine are new (not original).  Others may know for sure but I do not think MB replacement fenders are provided with pre-drilled side light mounting holes.  This is something a body shop does as part of the restoration.  Maybe they forgot to do the rear.  Who knows.  You will have plenty of time to sort these issues and decide what if anything to do about them.  The most important thing to do is enjoy your lovely SL.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Douglas]

I'm guessing this is an Aventura Motors car, correct?

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[RBYCC]

Thanks Jeff....

That's the beauty of forums....ask a question and you'll get an answer.
Will look for the data card as you suggested.

Ed A.

[zanone]

Douglas, that was my guess even before I read your post. DZ

[J. Huber]

quote:Originally posted by RBYCC

 That's the beauty of forums....ask a question and you'll get an answer...

You mean there are others?

James
63 230SL

[Douglas]

Ed,

My guess is that this is a US-spec car that has had its side reflectors filled in. I can't say for sure without seeing more pix.

You should be able to tell pretty easily whether it's a Euro or US-spec car. Aside from the obvious things like Euro headlights and a speedometer in KPH, here are a couple of telltale signs of a Euro 280 SL just off the top of my head:

1. A mirror in the passenger-side sunvisor
2. VIN plate mounted on passenger side of firewall
3. chrome finish (not matte) on horn ring, & neck of rear view mirror
4. "LMKU" on radio push buttons

I'm sure there are many more (emissions controls come to mind as well). Obviously, things like radios and sunvisors can change over the years, but you'll generally be able to tell from looking at these.

We've discussed Aventura over the years in this forum. Run a search and you'll find lots of postings.

Welcome to the group & hope you enjoy the new Pagoda.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[RBYCC]

quote:
 I'm guessing this is an Aventura Motors car, correct?
Douglas Kim
New York
USA

Douglas

You guessed correct....
Seemed okay to deal with, vehicle is as described.
Just had the car delivered...very straight and nice driver.
Had it checked prior to purchase by MB of Southampton.
Great compression and nothing they could find needing repair.

Car wasn't ordered with the hardtop, so they supplied one which sits a bit high in the back.

I traded a 2006 Corvette for the 280SL...a depreciating asset for a stable/appreciating asset.
Corvette was just too "modern" for my old bones.

Familiar with Mercedes, but this is my first roadster.
Add it to a 1988 300CE that I bought new in May of 88 and just did a period Turbotechnics twin turbo install on the M103-12V, a 99 C43 AMG and a 03 G55 AMG...so I'm covered, coupe, sedan. roadster and truck... !!!!

Looking forward to getting it to a more pristine condition and depending on forum input from those who know the W113's.

Question # 2.....Generator light stays on with the ignition off....problem??? voltage regulator? alternator?  

Thanks

Ed A.

[hauser]

Ed, Tom Sergeant is having his annual Pagoda gathering Sunday the 21st of this month.  It wouldn't be a bad idea to attend and learn a few things about your newly acquired Pagoda.  BTW the chili is awesome!  I was there last year and had a great time.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[al_lieffring]

quote:

Question # 2.....Generator light stays on with the ignition off....problem??? voltage regulator? alternator?  

Thanks

Ed A.

Ed

Welcome to the Group

Check the level of the brake fluid resivior and also check if the float switches have sunk.
With low brake fluid or a broken sensor, these cars will have a feed back from the jamb switch, to the interior light, through the float swithch back to the ignition.

Check this first before tearing into the alternator.

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
New blue top just arrived
new gas tank on order

[RBYCC]

quote:
Ed

Welcome to the Group

Check the level of the brake fluid resivior and also check if the float switches have sunk.
With low brake fluid or a broken sensor, these cars will have a feed back from the jamb switch, to the interior light, through the float swithch back to the ignition.

Check this first before tearing into the alternator.

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
New blue top just arrived
new gas tank on order

Thanks Al !!

Noticed that the gen light is on when I open the door, and off with the door closed.
Turn key to first position, light on, start/run light is off.

Is this normal?

I can see what you are stating in the wiring schematic.

Going front to back on the car, making lists of what is needed and how critical the need is !!

So far not much, cleaned the fuse box contacts, changed fuses, some rubber needs replacement and trying to find the windshield washer resorvoir...can hear the pump, but can't locate the bottle !!!

Thanks again

Ed

[RBYCC]

quote:Originally posted by hauser

Ed, Tom Sergeant is having his annual Pagoda gathering Sunday the 21st of this month.  It wouldn't be a bad idea to attend and learn a few things about your newly acquired Pagoda.  BTW the chili is awesome!  I was there last year and had a great time.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

I need to get it titled and inspected at DMV next week...if I get it passed with no problems, then I'll contact him and see if I can make the drive ( about 3 hours...a true test ) to his place !

Thanks

Ed

[J. Huber]

Hey Ed. The washer bottle should be fairly obvious. It is wedged in by the brake booster on driver's side of engine bay. They are available new from the usual suspects: about 35 bucks.

James
63 230SL

[RBYCC]

quote:Originally posted by J. Huber

Hey Ed. The washer bottle should be fairly obvious. It is wedged in by the brake booster on driver's side of engine bay. They are available new from the usual suspects: about 35 bucks.

James
63 230SL

James

That what I thought....but alas it wasn't there !!!

Pump installed and working, but nothing else.
Just ordered the washer bottle, cap, fitting and hose from Miller's.

That was the easy part !!!

Have the nozzle and fitting installed and can see the tubing dropping into the bowels of the bulkhead...

Approximately where should it come through to the engine bay

Thanks

Ed

P.S.

So far seems like a great bunch of "mature" members on this forum...not like some of the other forums where a proper Merc can be turned to a "ricer" and the owner ecstatic over his feat...
Guess I must remember I was young once !!!

[ted280sl]

Ed,
  The washer line connects at one end to the nozzle in the cowl. The from of the cowl comes off with on a few easy scres. The entire cowl can come off with a few more screw. The line goes through the firwall and comes out near the brake booster. I hope this helps.
  You "new" car looks and sounds great.
Enjoy and welcome,
Ted 1969 280SL manual

[RBYCC]

quote:Originally posted by ted280sl

Ed,
  The washer line connects at one end to the nozzle in the cowl. The from of the cowl comes off with on a few easy scres. The entire cowl can come off with a few more screw. The line goes through the firwall and comes out near the brake booster. I hope this helps.
  You "new" car looks and sounds great.
Enjoy and welcome,
Ted 1969 280SL manual

Ted

Much thanks...

Narrowed down the area and the parts should be here by the end of next week...

One down, many, many more to go !!!

Ed

[al_lieffring]

quote:Originally posted by RBYCC

Thanks Al !!

Noticed that the gen light is on when I open the door, and off with the door closed.
Turn key to first position, light on, start/run light is off.

Is this normal?

I can see what you are stating in the wiring schematic.


Thanks again

Ed

This is a "normal" failure of the float switches in the brake resivior.
There are threads in the forum archives on installing a diode to prevent this feed-back from happening should the floats fail again. Using the search function should help you find them.

For now, unplug both of the electrical connectors on the brake resivior untill you can replace the switches, this may involve buying the complete brake fluid resivior assembly.

The old tank just pries off with a screw driver and the new one presses into the rubber inserts of the brake master cylinder, no need to bleed the brakes just refill the new tank with new fluid.

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
New blue top just arrived
new gas tank on order

[RBYCC]

quote:

This is a "normal" failure of the float switches in the brake resivior.
There are threads in the forum archives on installing a diode to prevent this feed-back from happening should the floats fail again. Using the search function should help you find them.

For now, unplug both of the electrical connectors on the brake resivior untill you can replace the switches, this may involve buying the complete brake fluid resivior assembly.

The old tank just pries off with a screw driver and the new one presses into the rubber inserts of the brake master cylinder, no need to bleed the brakes just refill the new tank with new fluid.

Al Lieffring
66 230Sl
New blue top just arrived
new gas tank on order

Al

Much appreciated....high on my "to do" list...
Will let you know if it works !

Thanks

Ed

[Joe Orman]

Your car looks great,good luck with it.I think it is interesting that the 1971 280sl, which I have owned for twenty-five years,was also built in august of 1970 as was yours.They may be related.Again, I hope you have many years of pleasure, as I have had, with a very enjoyable car. Regards Joe Orman

[RBYCC]

quote:Originally posted by Joe Orman

Your car looks great,good luck with it.I think it is interesting that the 1971 280sl, which I have owned for twenty-five years,was also built in august of 1970 as was yours.They may be related.Again, I hope you have many years of pleasure, as I have had, with a very enjoyable car. Regards Joe Orman

Joe

Thanks

VIN is 11304412021055, how close to yours ?
I intend to keep until the end !!!
Still have a 88 300CE that I bought new in May of 88.

Not keen on any newer cars even the Mercs.
Traded an 06 Corvette for the 280SL, and I think I got the better deal !

Ed

[Raymond]

The light that comes on when the door is open should be the center of three indicator lights.  It is the low oil pressure light and is important enough that it is "tested" every time the door is opened.  

The alternator light is the top one.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[RBYCC]

quote:Originally posted by Raymond

The light that comes on when the door is open should be the center of three indicator lights.  It is the low oil pressure light and is important enough that it is "tested" every time the door is opened.  

The alternator light is the top one.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

Raymond

Thanks

I traced the circuit to the light back to the #1 fuse position, which is basically battery power.

I can't find reference to this light in my owners manual, but it is the center light.

I found one old U.K. article that indicated this light on a dash layout as the "door warning light".

At this point should I assume it's functioning properly?

Thanks

Ed