new car W124 300E

[kingkong]

Hello all,
I'm a new member and I wanted to introduce myself. I've just bought a 1992 W124 300E with a lowish mileage of 84,000 and in good condition - before this I ran a 1983 W123 280E for 5 and a half years and I had a W116 280SE (1975) for a few months as well. The spec is OK, electric windows, mirror, aeriel and sunroof, aircon and alloys, but no electric seats or leather trim.

I'm amazed at how tight the 300E feels after driving the W123 around for a long time - it really does feel very solid and is much quicker as well.

There are a few problems with the car that I wanted to raise here to try to work out how serious they might be so I'd be grateful for any feedback.

Firstly, the central locking only works about half of the time which is slightly irritating. I haven't tried it from any door other than the drivers door so far. Would this be a pump problem?

Secondly, the windscreen wash doesn't work. The wiper works perfectly but when the stalk is pressed there is no sound from the wash/wipe motor and no water comes out of the jets, although the wiper does move.

Thirdly, the fan works on all speeds, but when air is diverted to the windscreen no air comes out - which means I can't demist my windscreen. When the air position control is turned to the floor or to the centre console vents, then air comes out.

Would anybody be able to advise on these issues at all? Also, how can I tell if this is the catalyst model or not?

Thanks for your help,
KK

 

[IMD]

Hi,

Welcome to the world of W124 motoring. I've got a saloon and estate and I love the cars.

With regard to the central locking. It might be worth taking the door cards off and checking that the vacuum pipes are all secure, with no leaks. The pipes are yellow on my cars. Also, under the rear seat, drivers side is the pump, so check here aswell.

It could also be an electric issue and there are wires that lead to the central locking mechanism in each door, so might be worth checking that these are intact and not damaged.

If you need info on taking the door cards off, give me a shout. With a socket set and a scredriver and a bit of care, it's an easy job, maybe 10 mins per door.

Cheers

Ian

 

[grober]

DOOR REMOVAL
http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W124DoorPanel

http://www.mercedesshop.com/Wikka/W124RearDoorPanel

IF the wires are broken it will be at the section leading through the door hinge


Check you are getting 12v to the washer motor when you press the stalk. The pump or its associated earth may be faulty?

The heater flaps are vacuum operated its possible the actuator which switches the flap to the windscreen is damaged. However lack of vacuum usually means no flaps work so it may be the heater controller electrics which switch the vacuum. Problem is its not easy to get at the bits to check.

 

[kingkong]

Thank you for the advice chaps - I wanted to post some pictures but apparently my photo file sizes are too large to upload?

KK

 

[normanr]

Welcome KK hope you enjoy the forum

 

[kingkong]

Hi all, I've managed to resize the pictures now so I can upload - here are some pictues of my new 300E.

 

[Ian B Walker]

One culprit for locking is the boot lock vac pipe. Hidden away out of sight but subject to all sorts of atmospheric conditions (rain dirt etc) the rubber joiner may have perished.