230 SL Lighting functions

[Surfer65sl]

I had my "headlight switch" and "headlight relay" recently replaced. The switch became unattached to the knob and while turning on the right blinker it would short out the fuse.

The headlights now work fine but the blinkers worked for only a day, they now stay lit and so are not flashing.  

What are the proper light functions for the 230sl headlights? My switch  turns two clicks to the left..but doesn't seem to turn anything nor do the top orange light bulbs seem to function..The switch turns three clicks to the right which does turn on the headlights.  This model also has the stalk European "flash and pass" highbeam and foot click highbeam that works fine.  The regular lights are so dim that I often just use the high beams to create enough illumination.

My mechanic did not recommended replacing the bulbs with some of the new halogen bulbs the "sl113 forum" provides sites of because he doesn't believe you want more voltage through the electrical.  Once I master this switch function and everything is working well, I would like to upgrade the bulbs.  

Other than this, this car has been a real gem.  The manual 4 speed is just incredible, I often drive it over 120km on the Garden State Parkway in NJ listening to the original becker radio and cassette player.  The "bone" color was retrofitted with the really nice navy leatherette' and navy blue soft top.    

[zoegrlh]

It sounds to me that maybe the flasher now needs replacing.  MB has these in stock, but are a newer version, so you need to get a 4prong plug to fit newer version into older virsion wiring.  I had to do this when my flasher went bad.

Bob

[Surfer65sl]

Bob,
Will have my mechanic check the "flasher", thanks..the information,  pictures and tech manual on this site are just incredible.
Cheers,
Matt

quote:Originally posted by zoegrlh

It sounds to me that maybe the flasher now needs replacing.  MB has these in stock, but are a newer version, so you need to get a 4prong plug to fit newer version into older virsion wiring.  I had to do this when my flasher went bad.

Bob

[wwheeler]

I am trying to replace my original turn signal flasher with a replacement Hella flasher. The Hella flasher has a wiring adapter that terminates with three prongs. Before I install it, I want to make sure the prongs are wired correctly for the original receptacle wiring. The original flasher and receptacle only used three of the four connections in the plug.

Does anyone know what plug socket numbers correspond to the new flasher terminals?

Thanks for the help.

[menesesjesse]

I just went through my whole headlight circuitry.  I have everything working as it was new.  I encountered that many of the connections points on the headlight assemblies were corroded and needed cleaning.  I used a small dremel to clean these points and the plugs in which they are connected.  Ensure the grounds connections are solid and verify them with a volt meter.  You should test each bulb with the battery to ensure they work first.  The positions on the switch are as follows:
2 clicks left: lower left light will light
1 click left: lower right light will light
center positiom: off
1 click right: Parking lights both sides
2 clicks right: Head lights
Light switch pulled and turned to positions 1 and 2 to the right will operate the fog lights.
When dealing with the bulbs I would only put what is required in it since the wiring is 40 years old and designed what is in there now. When all the lights are working right the lights are actually pretty good but not like xenon's.
Your fuse may be blowing for several reasons and I would look at the wires and their condition in the headlamps first unless this just started after you changed the turn flasher.  If this is the case the flasher is wired it wrong.  I will give you the updated wiring for the flasher in my next email since I just did that too but dont have the diagrams in front of me. I however used a round 3 prong thermal 4 dollar unit from autozone that fit perfectly in the old case.  My results were perfect after making some wires to fit the oem plug.  Hope this helps and I will email you the wiring later today.

Moderator addition: the above testing was done on Euro style headlights

[rwmastel]

I agree with Meneses in that when troubleshooting headlights you need to get back to square one first with a working (not corroded) and properly wired lighting system.

But Meneses, there are upgrades.  Do a Search on "danielstern" or "daniel stern".  I see you've only made 4 posts.  The Search button is in the top right corner of the screen.

[J. Huber]

I have never been able to get my right and left "euro street parking" lights to work (the two clicks left of center). It is a European assembly and all the other functions work fine. Would anyone have a specific place I would check for corrosion, etc.

[ja17]

Good rundown Meneses!

Yes James, the euro and USA versions both have functional "street parking lights".  It is a function which which has been preserved on even later Mercedes cars.  I use the ones on my 2002 Mercedes SLK anytime I park along side the road at night.

Most often, as Meneses has noted, corroded sockets are the culprit. Sometimes they are left unhooked from the last paint job.

Yes Meneses, I am sure your flasher adaption would be quite interesting, as permanant or at least as an emergency repair till original can be installed.

[menesesjesse]

Here is the wiring for adding a standard 3 prong thermal flasher. Most flashers have letters on them designating what they are suppose to be connected to.  Through some trial and error I have come up with what works.  The flasher should have an X, P, and L prongs on it.  New wires will need to fabricated using bullets to match the OEM plug.  Connect as follows:
Wire 54 will go to the X prong
Wire 31 will go to the P prong
Wire 15 will go to the L prong
 You should be able to figure out the wire numbers by looking at the old flasher.  The old flasher will have the numbers engraved next to the prongs.  I hope this helps.

[Surfer65sl]

This was very helpful.  It will save me money when I drop off the vehicle to have the blinkers worked on.  Thanks again.
Matt

....

quote:Originally posted by menesesjesse

I just went through my whole headlight circuitry.  I have everything working as it was new.  I encountered that many of the connections points on the headlight assemblies were corroded and needed cleaning.  I used a small dremel to clean these points and the plugs in which they are connected.  Ensure the grounds connections are solid and verify them with a volt meter.  You should test each bulb with the battery to ensure they work first.  The positions on the switch are as follows:
2 clicks left: lower left light will light
1 click left: lower right light will light
center positiom: off
1 click right: Parking lights both sides
2 clicks right: Head lights
Light switch pulled and turned to positions 1 and 2 to the right will operate the fog lights.
When dealing with the bulbs I would only put what is required in it since the wiring is 40 years old and designed what is in there now. When all the lights are working right the lights are actually pretty good but not like xenon's.
Your fuse may be blowing for several reasons and I would look at the wires and their condition in the headlamps first unless this just started after you changed the turn flasher.  If this is the case the flasher is wired it wrong.  I will give you the updated wiring for the flasher in my next email since I just did that too but dont have the diagrams in front of me. I however used a round 3 prong thermal 4 dollar unit from autozone that fit perfectly in the old case.  My results were perfect after making some wires to fit the oem plug.  Hope this helps and I will email you the wiring later today.

Moderator addition: the above testing was done on Euro style headlights

[ja17]

Hello Matthew,

Yes, even if you do not work on the car yourself, educating your mechanic with information from this group, will save him time and you money!