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Garage => Test Drive => Topic started by: Flogrates on 23 December 2020, 03:12 PM

Title: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 23 December 2020, 03:12 PM
Hi everyone!

After nearly years of looking and mind changes I picked up my first classic car over the weekend.

My grandmother just before I was born had a 6.9 in Brown and then when I was small had a blue and silver 560sel. Since I was small I wanted a w126 in blue but the w116 shape has always appealed immensely but are quite rare in my state. I randomly found this one in the next state over and got it shipped down.

It's in pretty good Nick for it ages but needs a few things. (This are the photos from the add LOL, havent even driven it to work yet)

It has a few issues, most of which I'll slowly address.

-head unit has a mind of its own? Works very occasionally
-bit oil smokey, possibly valve stems seals?
Paint is a bit average, some dodgy rust fix and some near bare metal in spots.
- sunroof is hard to close, will need a service
-doors are hard to open, I've lubed but they are still very sticky

Other than that, I'd like to get modern speakers and amp running off the Becker. No one seems to do the cables any more ?

- colour code the hub caps
- air lift 3p W/dolud struts
- the driving lights under Neath the front bumper
- general restore / refresh as needed.


I shall post some more photos later when I am not in my phone.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: rumb on 23 December 2020, 03:54 PM
Congratulation. Looks like a nice car.

The outside door handles are quite easy to remove and a good clean and grease will make them operate smoothly.

What do you mean by head unit?
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 23 December 2020, 04:05 PM
Quote from: rumb on 23 December 2020, 03:54 PM
Congratulation. Looks like a nice car.

The outside door handles are quite easy to remove and a good clean and grease will make them operate smoothly.

What do you mean by head unit?
Argh yeah I'll attack that.

The radio. It's very intermittent. Seems to power on and off.

I need to remove it to fix the cassette tape so hopefully whatever the problem is is obvious
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Nabstud on 23 December 2020, 08:23 PM
Nice pickup. I saw it on Carsales, looked like a nice genuine car and priced right, knew it wouldn't last long!!
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: karmann_20v on 23 December 2020, 09:59 PM
Nice pick up! Lately I've noticed a few Milan Braun 116s on the FB groups and now this one.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 28 December 2020, 02:31 AM
Around all the Xmas stuff and trying to avoid work as harvest starts I managed to get some time to mostly sit and stare at the radio hoping it would fix it's self.

It turned out to be the Inline fuse holder being not very nice. I went and purchased a new one, then second guessed myself and used tap LOL

I then decided I am to lazy to get the tape working for a aux adapter so I ordered a Bluetooth dongle.

I did give the chrome a quick polish, it's in very good nick still.

I then started investigation on the rubbing noise, I was hoping it was something simple like low brake pads but alas. Life against me.

I did find both some Racey boy new rotors and incredibly hard to turn wheels. Possible wheel bearings needed soon.

It looks really really good underneath which was a relief lol. Only a leaky shock.

My search for the bad noises continue.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 01 January 2021, 12:35 AM
Had a day on call, rather than at work. So as everyone does I went and blew some hard on things ranging from oil for this to scrabble.

Had the first proper drive today, doing about 60km all up and boy was it great. The trip also highlighted all the little things I need to fix up to get it to a what I guess you could call a modern standard.

Once I got home poorer and happier I gave it a quick oil change with Penrith 15/50w. I end up with some Racey race expensive one. I need to research properly for the next one as 160 dollar oil changes does not appeal.

I also jam some pull noodles into the seat to fix the sag. I did a half assed job to get me through till I can be bothered pulling the seat out (probably when I do sound system)

I also gave the shed a good clean while I was waiting on the oil to drawn which was the real win.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 01 January 2021, 12:36 AM
Had a day on call, rather than at work. So as everyone does I went and blew some hard on things ranging from oil for this to scrabble.

Had the first proper drive today, doing about 60km all up and boy was it great. The trip also highlighted all the little things I need to fix up to get it to a what I guess you could call a modern standard.

Once I got home poorer and happier I gave it a quick oil change with Penrith 15/50w. I end up with some Racey race expensive one. I need to research properly for the next one as 160 dollar oil changes does not appeal.

I also jam some pull noodles into the seat to fix the sag. I did a half assed job to get me through till I can be bothered pulling the seat out (probably when I do sound system)

I also gave the shed a good clean while I was waiting on the oil to drawn which was the real win.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 01 January 2021, 01:09 AM
Fingers crossed the oil change will help my smoke issue.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Randys01 on 01 January 2021, 02:13 AM
What a buzz for you.   ;D  Congratulations.!!  this looks like a well worn  but worn well unmolested example.
Not sure how you got conned into $160 bux for the required 8/9 litres of oil?.filters for these are cheap . IMHO you do better to buy  Castrol GTX 3? and replace it frequently.  This ole girl is going to have plenty of gunk in the system so frequent oil changes are the go..and it's ezy on these unlike the 6.9 which always turns into  mess.!
Not sure of the provenance of this car or KMs but after 40 years new valve stem seals do make a difference.

This project will keep you off the mainland for at least 5 years!! ;)  Good luck.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 01 January 2021, 02:20 AM
Quote from: Randys01 on 01 January 2021, 02:13 AM
What a buzz for you.   ;D  Congratulations.!!  this looks like a well worn  but worn well unmolested example.
Not sure how you got conned into $160 bux for the required 8/9 litres of oil?.filters for these are cheap . IMHO you do better to buy  Castrol GTX 3? and replace it frequently.  This ole girl is going to have plenty of gunk in the system so frequent oil changes are the go..and it's ezy on these unlike the 6.9 which always turns into  mess.!
Not sure of the provenance of this car or KMs but after 40 years new valve stem seals do make a difference.

This project will keep you off the mainland for at least 5 years!! ;)  Good luck.
The only 15/50 oil my local repco had was some penrite V8 super car shit. Hence the price. I'll do it differently next time.

The car has 217k km but yeah, valve stems on the list.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Randys01 on 01 January 2021, 02:40 AM
Run it for only 500kms and drain ..replace with GTX and new filter. Yep. Run it for  another 500kms. You will be horrified how quickly and dirty that drained oil presents.
Take note of the hot oil pressure behaviour at idle..when running 15 W in summer you might find it a bit wanting. 1 bar at 750 rpm would be nice.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 03 January 2021, 06:24 PM
Quote from: Randys01 on 01 January 2021, 02:40 AM
Run it for only 500kms and drain ..replace with GTX and new filter. Yep. Run it for  another 500kms. You will be horrified how quickly and dirty that drained oil presents.
Take note of the hot oil pressure behaviour at idle..when running 15 W in summer you might find it a bit wanting. 1 bar at 750 rpm would be nice.
Tassie is barely having a summer this year so it should be fine.

I've ordered grease for the sunroof,. A transmission filter kit and booked it in for wheel bearings later in the week.

I swore to myself (and gf) that I would only get it fully drive able and stop for awhile but not having good music is bothering me so much I can see speakers and an amp getting bought any day.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 14 January 2021, 03:08 PM
Well, 8 days and nearly 1500 later I picked up the Merc last night. Front wheel bearings were in need of a change, the rears were apparently totally destroyed.

Apparently they almost gave up on the job at one point.  It was lovely to get it back but that it's definitely tampered my enthusiasm for the car LOL
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: rumb on 14 January 2021, 07:44 PM
Quote from: Flogrates on 14 January 2021, 03:08 PM
Well, 8 days and nearly 1500 later I picked up the Merc last night. Front wheel bearings were in need of a change, the rears were apparently totally destroyed.

Apparently they almost gave up on the job at one point.  It was lovely to get it back but that it's definitely tampered my enthusiasm for the car LOL

Those rear bearings are a real pain - I can understand the shop being dismayed.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 17 January 2021, 01:00 AM
Quote from: rumb on 14 January 2021, 07:44 PM
Quote from: Flogrates on 14 January 2021, 03:08 PM
Well, 8 days and nearly 1500 later I picked up the Merc last night. Front wheel bearings were in need of a change, the rears were apparently totally destroyed.

Apparently they almost gave up on the job at one point.  It was lovely to get it back but that it's definitely tampered my enthusiasm for the car LOL

Those rear bearings are a real pain - I can understand the shop being dismayed.
It makes me quite glad I didn't attempt myself tbh
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 17 January 2021, 01:37 AM
Well, got a bit motivated today, so I went and got some led globes, tried and failed to fix my dimmer and did some painting that didn't turn out so well.

I also didn't get enough gloves LOL


See pictures for my average masking job.

Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 18 February 2021, 05:19 PM
I have been doing absolutely nothing with this car this car so far this year as I have been working 6/7 days a week for harvest season but I did manage to take it to work yesterday and today, it's a 70km round trip and our first big drive.

It's been great, I have identify some more issues to go on the list.

- cruise control doesn't work
- can't adjust the clock, the knob just spins
-fm reception is terrible after a while. Fine when you first start driving but then goes to the dogs
-bad shock and/or bush

The list is getting longer and my time to do it shorter unfortunately.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: daantjie on 18 February 2021, 05:37 PM
If you have Becker radio you should be able to adjust the sensitivity of the reception on the RHS knob.
To adjust clock you have both push the stalk in and turn at same time.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 18 February 2021, 05:51 PM
Quote from: daantjie on 18 February 2021, 05:37 PM
If you have Becker radio you should be able to adjust the sensitivity of the reception on the RHS knob.
To adjust clock you have both push the stalk in and turn at same time.
I do have a Becker, I'll have a look at that.

That's what I was doing with the clock, the knob was just spinning
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 15 May 2021, 11:22 PM
Hello everyone, long time no post.

I've been working 6/7 days a week and spending my free time setting my ute up for camping so I haven't touched the Merc in a long time.

But today that changed, I didn't take any photos till the end but I've been working on the clock, cruise control and air box.

Clock - this was super simple, I just banged some new caps on it and it's apoles now

Cc - this was a lot harder, and really tested me, I changed 2 caps but accidentally bridged a cap to a resistor and had a hell of time fixing my cock up. Hopefully the caps will fix it, if not my reading tells me it's likely the relays in which case I'll probably try and buy another one.

Air box
So I half assed this and paid for it. Didn't sand jr enough and accidentally bought a far to matte black.

I went back over what I'd done with a orbital, I rant out of sand paper and gave up, but I do actually have a photo of where I left it .

I need to get some 120 grit for the cracks, 240 for the orbital and locate some gloss heat paint for it.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: UTn_boy on 16 May 2021, 10:46 PM
Quote from: daantjie on 18 February 2021, 05:37 PM
If you have Becker radio you should be able to adjust the sensitivity of the reception on the RHS knob.
To adjust clock you have both push the stalk in and turn at same time.

That feature is only on Grand Prix and Mexico.  The Europa, Europa II, Monza, AVUS, and Monte Carlo do not have this feature. 
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 17 May 2021, 10:39 PM
Quote from: UTn_boy on 16 May 2021, 10:46 PM
Quote from: daantjie on 18 February 2021, 05:37 PM
If you have Becker radio you should be able to adjust the sensitivity of the reception on the RHS knob.
To adjust clock you have both push the stalk in and turn at same time.

That feature is only on Grand Prix and Mexico.  The Europa, Europa II, Monza, AVUS, and Monte Carlo do not have this feature.

I have a Mexico! I did try this but it didn't help so much, I have to investigate it further
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 23 August 2021, 05:39 AM
Hello, long time no post.

I got a bit side tracked with building my ute up and redoing my work shop. But I have this a its first wash (lol) and took it to the pub. Which obviously got me keen to pull it back apart and fix more stuff.

The key has never worked in the boot, or it turns out the passenger side door which leads me to think it's been re keyed at some point upon investigation.

So I quickly gave up that and pulled the aerial out to try and make it go down fully.

As you can see it's heavily corroded but the electronics are fine. Going to some how pull the bottom bearing out of its holder thingo re grease it and regrease everythingand it's going to magically work fine when I put it back together. In theory ?
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: floyd111 on 23 August 2021, 06:38 PM
Quote from: Flogrates on 17 January 2021, 01:37 AM
Well, got a bit motivated today, so I went and got some led globes, tried and failed to fix my dimmer and did some painting that didn't turn out so well.

I also didn't get enough gloves LOL


See pictures for my average masking job.

Well done on the sprayjob! I know how finnecky that masking is. Tried and failed a lot myself. You could offer these refurbished bezels online!
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 24 August 2021, 04:52 AM
Quote from: floyd111 on 23 August 2021, 06:38 PM
Quote from: Flogrates on 17 January 2021, 01:37 AM
Well, got a bit motivated today, so I went and got some led globes, tried and failed to fix my dimmer and did some painting that didn't turn out so well.

I also didn't get enough gloves LOL


See pictures for my average masking job.

Well done on the sprayjob! I know how finnecky that masking is. Tried and failed a lot myself. You could offer these refurbished bezels online!
Oh man, doing that once was enough, in saying that ive been waiting to see a set pop up to have another crack at it.



Ariel unit is as clean as I am going to make it, I did some creative filing to get access into the bearing/runner. Found it totally set solid with old grease, gave it a quick clean and realised I don't have any grease to re pack it with. Duh!! Tomorrow job.

I've noticed I've popped fuse 5 again, for maybe the third time in my owner ship. Any common issues associated with this? Or am I going to have a really trying time testing things ahead of me ?

I noticed in my brief exploration that the tail lights have green wire bridging them for some reason and there is 3/4 soldered y joints that have been taped, so who knows what that's all for.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: daantjie on 24 August 2021, 09:34 AM
Could be somebody added rear fog lights maybe?
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: rumb on 24 August 2021, 01:18 PM
Depending on the year, one could 1 or 2 more bulbs into the rear lights.  But all that wiring should be inside the housing.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 24 August 2021, 04:22 PM
I'll have a proper look at i
Quote from: daantjie on 24 August 2021, 09:34 AM
Could be somebody added rear fog lights maybe?

Possibly ? I need to have a proper look.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 24 August 2021, 04:23 PM
Quote from: rumb on 24 August 2021, 01:18 PM
Depending on the year, one could 1 or 2 more bulbs into the rear lights.  But all that wiring should be inside the housing.

It's a 78, it has a extra bulb in one side but not the other ?

I notice too, that when the number 5 fuse goes I lose both tails not just one.

Something funky going on
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 25 August 2021, 05:19 AM
So a few things, all the gross wiring is for a trailer plug. Hopefully that's also the cause of my fuse popping, I will remove it all next job

Current job, I put the aerial back together for much the same result and pulled it back apart again to clean some more, in the process of this, the little blue thing in the pictures has malfunctioned.

It works if you depress the individual levers for up and down but doesn't auto activate.

Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: ptashek on 25 August 2021, 11:42 AM
Quote from: Flogrates on 25 August 2021, 05:19 AM
again to clean some more, in the process of this, the little blue thing in the pictures has malfunctioned.

It works if you depress the individual levers for up and down but doesn't auto activate.

Looks like a bare-bones DPST relay. Most likely the coil has failed. You should be able to find a suitable replacement.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 25 August 2021, 04:15 PM
Quote from: ptashek on 25 August 2021, 11:42 AM
Quote from: Flogrates on 25 August 2021, 05:19 AM
again to clean some more, in the process of this, the little blue thing in the pictures has malfunctioned.

It works if you depress the individual levers for up and down but doesn't auto activate.

Looks like a bare-bones DPST relay. Most likely the coil has failed. You should be able to find a suitable replacement.
.argh thank you.

Google was not helping me at all.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 29 August 2021, 06:13 AM
Aerial magically fixed itself, it still doesn't go all the way down but I've officially given up on that dream.

I cut the trailer wiring harness out so hopefully that's my fuse blowing issue.

Time to get the sunroof working now.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 11 September 2021, 01:14 AM
Turns out the trailer plug was not the cause of the short.

After much messing about I've isolated it to the cluster. The Globe directly above the main power plug will pop the fuse if you wiggle it.

Since ive found this I have had intermittent issues with getting the cluster lights to function.

Something's up


Edit, ok it is the globe holder, playing with it will light a globe up in the fuse holder.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 11 September 2021, 09:18 PM
More fiddling, more confusion.

I just spend the morning fiddling, I added an additional earth, that some of the r107 mob for some peice of mind.

I've isolated it to either the Globe holder itself or the PCB itself.

The Globe holder seems to have a bit of play in it, and is not always illuminating the globe even when the circuit is fine. I pulled it apart and cleaned all the contacts with steel wool but that didn't seem to help.


The PCB is totally beyond me, I need to watch some YouTube I suppose.

Is there any precedent for either of these things causing issues?
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: UTn_boy on 11 September 2021, 10:01 PM
The LED version of these small bulbs are too long.  They are longer than the originals, and their bases are somewhat different.  Try putting the regular incandescent bulb back in and then see what happens. 
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 13 September 2021, 05:33 AM
Quote from: UTn_boy on 11 September 2021, 10:01 PM
The LED version of these small bulbs are too long.  They are longer than the originals, and their bases are somewhat different.  Try putting the regular incandescent bulb back in and then see what happens.

i tried that initially, same issue.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: UTn_boy on 13 September 2021, 05:54 PM
Quote from: Flogrates on 13 September 2021, 05:33 AM
Quote from: UTn_boy on 11 September 2021, 10:01 PM
The LED version of these small bulbs are too long.  They are longer than the originals, and their bases are somewhat different.  Try putting the regular incandescent bulb back in and then see what happens.

i tried that initially, same issue.

In that case I'd buy a new socket.  Here is one on ebay for $12.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Lamp-Sockets-0005452019-NOS-NLA-in-unopened-bag-price-for-1-/133378993033?_ul=IL (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Lamp-Sockets-0005452019-NOS-NLA-in-unopened-bag-price-for-1-/133378993033?_ul=IL)
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 18 September 2021, 10:44 PM
I ordered a new socket last week, hopefully that will sort my issues!

I accidentally damaged the wheel emblem at some point in the many ins and outs lately, so I coloured it in with paint pen. Worked alot better than I expected it too
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 10 October 2021, 03:13 AM
So, Thanks to both the Rona and a mistype the globe holder hasn't shown up yet. I know how you are on the edge of the seat about if that's my issue.

But instead today, I have started the sunroof service. Got the panel and the cable out, found some rust and cleaned the tube as best I can with an aquarium filter brush and some wd40. The tube left in the car doesn't seem that bad, unsure how to clean the hole thing, my brush only can go so deep.

How do I tell if the cable is to worn? The amount of rust in the runners makes me think the cable is ok but Google not very helpful.

As my other topic my switch seems to an issue, goes one way but not the other. I think I'll get another one as it's worn to look at anyway.

I'll put new slidey feet things on too if k can find them they don't look that worn but while it's out be silly not too
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: UTn_boy on 10 October 2021, 03:34 PM
Some of those slidy feet things are no longer available, and some of  the ones that are cost $20-$30 USD each, if not more. 
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: ptashek on 10 October 2021, 03:43 PM
Quote from: UTn_boy on 10 October 2021, 03:34 PM
Some of those slidy feet things are no longer available, and some of  the ones that are cost $20-$30 USD each, if not more.

The rubber part of those is not an issue, and can be 3D printed with TPU filament. The problem is the fabric lining which makes them slide easy.
Might be doable with some experimentation :)
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 10 October 2021, 04:32 PM
Quote from: UTn_boy on 10 October 2021, 03:34 PM
Some of those slidy feet things are no longer available, and some of  the ones that are cost $20-$30 USD each, if not more.
I am waiting for a mate in the local Merc parts to get back to me about them, he remembered getting a set semi recently but wasn't sure when.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 10 October 2021, 04:33 PM
Quote from: ptashek on 10 October 2021, 03:43 PM
Quote from: UTn_boy on 10 October 2021, 03:34 PM
Some of those slidy feet things are no longer available, and some of  the ones that are cost $20-$30 USD each, if not more.
Ive had a 3d printer sitting in my Amazon cart for quite some time, just been waiting for the right problem to present itself. Maybe this is it.
The rubber part of those is not an issue, and can be 3D printed with TPU filament. The problem is the fabric lining which makes them slide easy.
Might be doable with some experimentation :)
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Jan S on 10 October 2021, 05:32 PM
The cable has circulare "teeth" at the motor-end. If this part of the cable is worned out you need to buy a new cable.

I cleaned the tube by spraying break cleaner from the front end. I also used a small bottle brush and a thin steel thread at each end (in case the brush got stuck). Worked fine, but be careful to make a smooth knot when tying the brush to the steel thread to avoid getting stuck. And you need a bucket in the trunk to catch the greasy brake cleaner.

I let the brush go through 3 times and dry for 1-2 days before greasing and assembling the cable.
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 11 October 2021, 05:14 AM
Quote from: Jan S on 10 October 2021, 05:32 PM
The cable has circulare "teeth" at the motor-end. If this part of the cable is worned out you need to buy a new cable.

I cleaned the tube by spraying break cleaner from the front end. I also used a small bottle brush and a thin steel thread at each end (in case the brush got stuck). Worked fine, but be careful to make a smooth knot when tying the brush to the steel thread to avoid getting stuck. And you need a bucket in the trunk to catch the greasy brake cleaner.

I let the brush go through 3 times and dry for 1-2 days before greasing and assembling the cable.
Interesting to method, I will attempt similar.

To be honest the tube doesn't seem that gunky in mine. The switch and the runners seem to be the main issue.

I pulled the switch apart, and tested it with out the small ball bearings and the motor works both ways. Which is a relief. I'll re assemble switch and re fit tomorrow.

I have another switch coming tho, that is less worn. Should tidy the dash up a bit
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: mrkozzy on 12 October 2021, 01:55 AM


Following your article with interest.  Nice to see someone else at it rather than myself.  Keep up the enthusiasm.

Anyway some time ago you wrote.........


Quote from: rumb on 24 August 2021, 11:18 AM
Depending on the year, one could 1 or 2 more bulbs into the rear lights.  But all that wiring should be inside the housing.

It's a 78, it has a extra bulb in one side but not the other ?

The 1 x extra bulb will be in your RHS (Drivers) side tailight assembly. (RHD). This extra bulb "IS" your rear fog lamp.   You only get one of these on the rear.  Hence the extra bulb 
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 12 October 2021, 05:05 AM
Quote from: mrkozzy on 12 October 2021, 01:55 AM


Following your article with interest.  Nice to see someone else at it rather than myself.  Keep up the enthusiasm.

Anyway some time ago you wrote.........


Quote from: rumb on 24 August 2021, 11:18 AM
Depending on the year, one could 1 or 2 more bulbs into the rear lights.  But all that wiring should be inside the housing.

It's a 78, it has a extra bulb in one side but not the other ?

The 1 x extra bulb will be in your RHS (Drivers) side tailight assembly. (RHD). This extra bulb "IS" your rear fog lamp.   You only get one of these on the rear.  Hence the extra bulb

That's good to hear mate! I mostly do it because I am a just an over Sharer but it's also to try and get some info back out there, with the death of the forum the solutions aren't as easy any more. Can't just google anything and get an answer from the clever people anymore.

Ohh there you go, strange feature really
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 16 October 2021, 11:36 PM
Have nearly finkshed the sunroof service, it all went back together quite well. Bar 2 things

1) I cut corners with cleaning the rails they slide on, I didn't quite get it clean and lubed all the way to the back and it shows

2) it won't shut LOL. It isn't pushing the flappy bit at the front down properly. I must have bumped it out of alignment at some point in the process. I'll have a read and a go another day.


Edit - I have fiddled some more, the roof is lifting a touch and not pushing down onto the lever for the black flappy thing. If I pull the roof down it will slide closed fine. Why is the question now
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 22 October 2021, 10:41 PM
After some more investigation, I believe I have found the cause.

The end of the cable has a slight bend, that I would say is pushing the sun roof up.

In the process of finding this, I lost the clip that holds the cable to the sun roof, threaded one of the lock out screws on the sunroof and got the headliner greasey, so I give up for today. Sigh :-[
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 30 October 2021, 12:07 AM
Today, I finally got around to testing to see if the new globe holder. Unfortunately it popped the fuse instantly.

I was really hoping that was going to solve my problem.

Next step I'll re flow the solder on the PCB I suppose? If it's in the loom it's staying there, i really don't want to pull the dash out


Edit- I've managed to accidentally short the circuit, which has some stopped the electronic fan on the front of the motor working. To have the fan on, I have to have the globe holder that causes the fuse popping in???

0 steps foward 4 backwards
Title: Re: My new 450sel
Post by: Flogrates on 25 February 2022, 11:19 PM
Hello again, very long time no post.

After giving up on my shorting issue in October last year I drove the car about 3x then parked it and forgot about it for a few months. I toyed with selling it, but mostly attracted merc owners telling me how many cars they owned and low ballers on gumtree who know everything there is to know about the car offering me 3k.

Until today, when it got a quick drive and an oil change. Jeepers was the oil fouled. I have to have a look but I'd be surprised if it's done 500 since it's last oil change.


Now winter is coming in and work will settle significantly my aim is to get the cruise control working and fix rhe dash, a local sparky is going to take over for me as I've reached the limit of ability with it.

And maybe if I get super keen I'll take the head off and get the valves done. And get some new suspension under it. Never ends does it?