[SPAM] [R129 SL] Electrical problems when it rains

[gregoiro at weststargroup.net]

The only cable that seems to be "outisde" the car leading to the instrument cluster would be temperature guage wire in the front air dam.  Just my 2 cents...  Sounds like one of those pain-in-the-*ss problems  that keeps you up at night...  The hair dryer seems like a good idea too.

Cheers,

Greg
91 500SL
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mike Preiss 
  To: r129list at mbcoupes.com 
  Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 10:13 AM
  Subject: [SPAM] [R129 SL] Electrical problems when it rains


  I'm hoping someone can help with this. My dealer is baffled after a working on my car for a week. Every time I get my car washed, even if it's a hand wash, or when it rains, my 91 500SL acts up. The instrument cluster lights up like a Christmas tree, the gas gauge goes dead but speedo still works. On starting from a stop the car stalls and stumbles badly, and at idle when in Drive will often stall. Will run in Neutral though. After a day or two, of dry weather, the problem goes away. Of course the dealer just wants to replace the ECL and instrument cluster ($5000 just for parts) but admits that might not fix the problem. I don't agree that the computer or the cluster are fried, since the problem disappears after time to dry. Also, how would water be getting to both just by coincidence?

  Logic would seem to indicate water is getting to something in common to the engine computer and the cluster. My guess is a cable connecter somewhere is letting water in and causing a short, but where? Any help greatly appreciated.

  Mike Preiss
  91 500SL



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