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Mystery port under dash

Started by Bad Benzo, 18 May 2020, 08:48 AM

Bad Benzo

I was working on my newly acquired 1977 280SE, and I discovered this strange 20 pin parallel port underneath the streering wheel.  Behind it was a female 20 pin connector.  I haven't seen one like this on another W116, and neither has my friend who owned a 450SE and 300SD.  Could anyone suggest what it might be for?


Thanks!
1963 220SE - 1977 280SE - 1986 300E AMG

TJ 450

I'm thinking it could be from an old car phone installation.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

Alec300SD

My guess is a Ham radio installation.
78 W116 300SD 'Desert Rose' new as of 01/26/2014
79 W116 300SD 'Stormcloud' RIP 04/11/2022

PosedgeClk

Ham radios usually have 12V and an antenna connection like PL-259, and that is it.

Looks like something for a mobile phone handset. Where does the cable go?
1979 450SEL 6.9

UTn_boy

Look on your data plate or data card and see if you have an option code for a Tekada or Becker car phone.  Otherwise this would be an aftermarket installation of some generic car phone. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

floyd111

That hole sure looks stock to me..

Bad Benzo

Quote from: PosedgeClk on 18 May 2020, 04:11 PM
Ham radios usually have 12V and an antenna connection like PL-259, and that is it.

Looks like something for a mobile phone handset. Where does the cable go?

As far as I can tell, it runs along the HVAC duct to the dead pedal, then under the driver seat with the rest of the harness.  From there, I cannot determine where it terminates.  I will need to remove the driver seat to investigate further.
1963 220SE - 1977 280SE - 1986 300E AMG

UTn_boy

Quote from: Bad Benzo on 19 May 2020, 03:27 AM
Quote from: PosedgeClk on 18 May 2020, 04:11 PM
Ham radios usually have 12V and an antenna connection like PL-259, and that is it.

Looks like something for a mobile phone handset. Where does the cable go?

As far as I can tell, it runs along the HVAC duct to the dead pedal, then under the driver seat with the rest of the harness.  From there, I cannot determine where it terminates.  I will need to remove the driver seat to investigate further.

Look in the left side of the trunk.  That is where the receiver would have been mounted....along with an antenna in the left rear quarter panel for the phone. 
1966 250se coupe`,black/dark green leather
1970 600 midnight blue/parchment leather
1971 300sel 6.3,papyrus white/dark red leather
1975 450se, pine green metallic/green leather
1973 300sel 4.5,silver blue metallic/blue leather
1979 450sel 516 red/bamboo

floyd111

Still, it would have been quite the exception.. someone buying the -almost- cheapest W116, just to install the world's most expensive telephone. I have 2 such B-Netz phone systems here, but I have not bumped into such dash connectors.  Same for the dictaphones. Maybe this was part of a taxi-outfit? Was this car an original US delivery or a later Euro-import?
If none of this applies, then the hole, against better judgement, is not stock, and it could easily have been a later C-Netz telephone connector, dealer-installed.
I sure hope i am making sense here, but I am not wrong here, am I?