Question regarding ignition problem
Gents,
Lately I am experiencing some problems while I am 'trying' to start my 300GD. Upon turning the key, the control lights (battery, ABS, glow light, etc.) in the instrument cluster are not lighting up or light up very dim ... nothing happens when I turn the key to start the engine. After turning the key back and forth a couple of times everything goes back to normal and she'll start up without any further problems.
I'd like to think that it is (just) a loose wire/contact within the ignition switch but at the moment I am guessing. If it is the case of a loose wire/contact within the ignition switch would it be possible to exchange the electrical part of the ignition but keep the same key and tumbler? I had a look at the EPC and to me it seems possible.
I was wondering if any of you guys could share some info and maybe confirm my thoughts?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Regards,
Roughneck
With an independant volt meter check the Battery Voltage. If your reading is a minimum of 11.5 volts, then turn your attetion to all connections, including the battery terminals, not just for security but for corrossion causing high resistance - this will need to be cleaned.
For a lower Battery reading, put the battery on charge, after it is fully charged, re-check the battery voltage and test to see how it starts. Should battery voltage fall fast, you need a new battery. Check out the alternator charge rate once the engine has fired up, if this is under charging, your charge on the current or, if new battery, will not last long.
Check the earth strap by the battery and from engine to body, check the loom socket by the steering column, or else there is a problem with the electrical circuit of the ignition switch, I will bring the and check a workshop CD to read at my works computer, if I can pick out the wire colours you may need to bridge to by-pass the ignition switch to test the system.
I had a problem with my 463 which caused all the gauges to stop working. If you waggled the ignition switch they would come back to life. Although I didn't fix it myself the guy who did (in Zagora, Morocco, and hence difficult to find out exactly how he did it!) cannibalised another merc. ignition switch which meant that I kept the original ignition barrel.
So yes it's possible to change the electrical contact components, and for pennies :D
Yes,
It is possible to seperate the electrical part from the tumbler and that is available seperately as far as I know.
I will send, or try to send you the wiring diagram tomorrow, using my works' computer. I will not be able to use my computer from to-day, onwards untill, I renew my anti-virus protection which has now expired.
I'll be in touch.
Regards,
Thanks for your replies guys.
I was hoping it would be possible to change out/overhaul the electrical part of the ignition assy. That'll be the way to go for me.
As soon as I will start this job I'll check some more things than just the ignition. Pistonhead, if you can, please email me that diagram/those diagrams ... they might come in handy.
Russ280, you have your guy's email address :wink: maybe I can ask him for some pointers.
Again thanks for your help!
Regards,
Roughneck
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Pistonhead,
Thanks for your reply!
I am pretty sure that it is the electrical part of the ignition switch assy. but I will follow your leads and test all the other components as well.
In case it is the ignition assy., do you know whether or not the assy. consists out of separate parts? What I mean is, would it be possible to exchange (or overhaul) the electrical part without having to change the key and tumbler part with all it's inconveniences such as multiple keys etc.
About the electrical diagram of the ignition switch ... if you have one like that, would it be a lot to ask you if you could email me a copy?
Thanks!
PS.: Sorry guys for not putting this up in the electrical forum but I only just found out about that one :oops: Maxwell, feel free to drop it in over there for keeping things separate and easy to look up for future reference.