Help with possible purchase of a project 500

[Doodle]

Aye, I found that out when they wanted a 20% premium over dealer pricing for some widget (can't remember what now). Certainly enough to make you reconsider any further patronage!

 

[MarkGolf997]

Blimey, I think my first stop will be the local mercedes dealer once I get a good list of part numbers built up.

The roofs do seem the weak points of these cars but I am hoping it is down to lack of use or weak battery, lets see..

I like the way the car looks thanks to the facelift, the side things and bumpers may have been painted but I did look up close and it is a good job if painted at a later stage.

The electric seat for the passenger and electric mirrors were found to not be working so the current owner is having these sorted before I take it away,fingers crossed! I'm itching to get the car now.

 

[glenavy-drongo]

Sounds like you have struck it lucky! Keep us updated with any developments.

D

 

[Eddy77]

I still think the price is a steal! I was toying with buying a smart 1991 300SL-24 last year and it was up at £6,995 which I thought was good for a one owner 50k mike car. But £3,300 for a 500 is brilliant! Be interested to hear how you get on!

 

[MarkGolf997]

I’m back!

So, been a delay while the car was meant to be having the passenger seat and mirrors sorted but the car hasn’t moved. The owner hasn’t taken the car, miles haven’t got up at all..

Anyway, he said I will make the effort to sort or I’ll knock £300 off the price!

I think I might just take the gamble with the £300 off and just go and get the thing.

So, what could be the issue?

The electric mirrors just don’t work at all and same with passenger seat, toning operates on it..

I did try the fuses when viewing but no joy unless I did wrong ones. Any common issues with these areas?

Thanks
Mark

 

[grober]

Buy one of these?
DVD Informationen für Klassiker, SL-Class R 129

 

[MarkGolf997]

Thanks Grober.

I've now joined the mercedes club and apparently will have access to all sorts of material to help me trouble shoot, lets see..

Got the car last night, few new issues have popped up..

ASR/ABS light were on upon picking up, the car had the battery disconnected while it was sitting around, some quick googling said that this can trigger these lights, after a 45 mile journey home, they've remained on..

The car seemed to get hot too, cruising along on the motorway, temps seemed to be 80-90 degrees but as soon as I came to a standstill, the gauge would climb to approx 110, then I would move again and the temps would come down.

I can hear the viscous fan whoosh when I give the car some revs but I haven't done any fault finding as yet.

Otherwise, the car drives beautifully, not a single knock or rattle, handles surprisingly better than I thought it would and the steering is pretty sensitive for the car it is. Very happy with it, would just like to sort the abs/asr lights and know if the temp issue is an issue or is this normal? The coolant is clean, cheery red in colour so can't have been done too long back so I am hoping it is just the viscous or a thermostat issue.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[grober]

First thing to check for the abs/asr is the OVP relay if your car has one as this supplies the abs unit /rotary idle valve/ the engine ECU. It can have one or two fuses on top. Sometimes the relay small internal circuit board develops cracks/dry joints but can be repaired by going over it with a soldering iron otherwise its a replacement one. do search for OVP on here.
Cooling wise your symptoms point to insufficient cooling because your viscous fan coupling isn't working right . The bimetal strip controlled valve isn't working or the coupling has lost fluid. replacement may again be required if it fails the carrot test -its detailed on the forum. If the car has aircon which imposes extra cooling demands there may also be one or two electric cooling fans which should also kick in so check those. Other possibilities are a partially clogged radiator if the car has been sat around for a while or dried out- sometimes these can be removed and force back flushed to restore performance but sometimes a new rad [ nissens is a good make] may be required. It can be caused by loss of pressure either from a leak or something as trivial as a "tired" system pressure cap.
As a general tip the early R129 shared much with the w124 of the time so many hints and tips on w124 maintenance may also apply to your car.

Help Please - ABS-ASR - W126 Sec 560

 

[MarkGolf997]

Hi Grober!

Thank you for your reply again.

Weirdly, after getting in the car last night, it seemed to have fixed itself!

No ABS/ASR lights, engine running smoothly, almost silent, MPG gauge working (this wasn't workin on way home). It must have been to do with the battery being disconnected.

I had a poke around the cooling system, everything looks ok, no leaks, no blocks up front, the viscous fan has very very slight resistance to it when cold, haven't tried warming up but no sign of it spitting out the fluid. No air con on this car.

I plan on taking it out later to warm up and then i'll try the newspaper/carrot test as I would like to sort this issue, I'm sure it's minor either way so no huge worry. The job i really want to sort is the passenger electric seat, rear view mirror, side mirrors and steering column, they just do not work.

Thank you for your help and advice, much appreciated!

 

[Y15HAL]

Looks like you got yourself a bargain @MarkGolf997

How are you getting on with it?