[W126 Coupe] 1982 380SEC various issues

[Dick Spellman]

Tad Heckaman wrote:

> I just purchased a 1982 380SEC, and it runs great. There are a few 

> little issues that I'd like to get fix.

>

> The first thing is the locks. I know they are vacuum based, but other 

> than that I dont know much. Basically what happens is that when I lock 

> the drivers door, either with the key or the lock itself, I hear the 

> pump run, and all they all lock, but then the passenger/trunk/fuel 

> unlock, and then they all lock. It never actually stops doing that (it 

> did it for about 10 time before I decided enough was enough and pulled 

> the drivers side lock back up to stop the endless lock/unlock cycle). 

> Now this car did have a dead battery for a while, so perhaps some 

> sensor needs to be reset? I am not sure.  * You'll need to read up on 

> the simple 3-wire vacuum pump on your 82 SEC in the MB manual.  Pull 

> the fuse for now from the engine compartment fuse box so you do not 

> burn out that expensive pump in the trunk spare tire well.  Pick up a 

> Mighty Vac ($30) and start with the vac line at the pump and work your 

> way forward from trunk lid to gas cap to passenger door to driver's 

> door to see if there is a slow leak or a break in the vac line.  I've 

> seen many breaks at the point where the line passes through the door 

> hing rubber seal.  Don't pump pressure above 10 inches on the Mighy 

> Vac when testing*

>

> The car idles low, and lags roughly for a second before the car 

> accelerates. While idling, it also surges, almost like its idling so 

> low than it revs itself to keep it from stalling. The previous owner 

> said that the injectors were dirty from sitting for so long (probably 

> sat for a year or 2, then he drove it everyday to work for a few 

> months and then parked it again). He took it to our local MB 

> dealership and also to a regular car shop and they said that it just 

> needs to be run, with some injector cleaner in it. They recommended 

> that if its 'working' then dont touch the injection system. Is that 

> all that it really needs, or should I take it in myself and have it 

> checked? Is there anything I can check myself?  *Well, you can start 

> with 1 can of BG-44K  ($30 or less at MB dealer) and see if the 

> performance improves.  If not, take it back the the MB dealership for 

> a proepr run through or you will have to become somewhat expert in 

> short order to do all that is required to diagnose and fix the engine 

> and it's systems yourself.*

>

> A gas gauge does not work, where should I look first to fix that 

> (makes me worry that I will run out of gas at some point)

> The radio/antenna does not work (I really want to replace the radio 

> with something more modern, and if I want to upgrade in the future, 

> having a working antenna would be nice)

> The sunroof sometimes works (prev owner stated that alot of the 

> electrical problems are just caused by poor contacts on the switches, 

> and opening the dash and cleaning up the contacts on the switches 

> would help) (hah) *Start by ordering up a complete fuse replacement 

> kit ($10) and replace every fuse in the fuse box.  See what is then 

> fixed and report back.  I would not dive into much of anything until 

> the fuses are replaced.*

>

> Odometer does not work, title already states that its 'not actual', 

> but can I get that fixed?  *Fuses first and yes the speedo can be 

> repaired if needed.*

>

> Since I have never had a MB before, this will be a great way for me to 

> get familiar with how these cars are put together. I just replaced a 

> few lights and the sealed beams (cant wait for euro lights later on, 

> what a PAIN to replace those sealed beams), so now I can get it 

> registered and on the road.  *I'd suggest you have someone confirm 

> that the timing chain on the 380 motor has been converted to a dual 

> chain before spending any $ on the SEC.  You need to get a copy of the 

> MB Cd-Rom for service on your SEC ($20-40 as a guess). *

> Thanks for any replies!

> -- 

> Tad Heckaman

> *Comments highlighted.  Good luck.  Dick*

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

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