[W126 Coupe] Lights fixed for the moment

[calvin young]

I apologize to everyone sending so many emails on the same subject with the 
same info.  I think with the help of the list, the problem has been 
isolated.  I disconnected the fog lamps and the voltages and brightness were 
returned to normal on both headlights.  I am off to have the car reinspected 
to get that reject sticker off the window.

Whoever had the car before did some "custom" wiring and left a problem. 
With your info Dick, I can either replace the switch with a later model or 
do some rewiring to fix the fog lights correctly.

Thanks everyone,

Cal

>

> Cal,

>

> This may help as a further clarification re: US (NA) vs. Euro switch and

> model year differences.  The early light switch is different than the

> later models in that the harness is soldered directly to the switch

> terminals in early model years.  The later model years employed a

> plug/pin harness making switch replacement easy.

>

> The only added feature to either switch type was on the euro.  This had

> a single +12VDC wire lead that was activated on the second pull of the

> fog lamp function.  The first pull illuminated the front fogs on both

> euro and NA models.  The second pull worked only on euro models and lit

> the rear single fog lamp and lit up the center (orange) indicator lamp

> on the switch handle.

>

> As for the ongoing dim light issue, why not disconnect the ground lead

> temporarily at the lamp socket and hot wire a new ground to chassis to

> see if this in fact gives the lamp full bright function?

>

> -\DIck

>

>>

> ######################################################################

> Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves

> up and hurry off as if nothing happened.       --Sir Winston Churchill

> ######################################################################

>

ThanksLou,

I think that is exactly what happened here.  He wanted a brighter lights for 
his driving situation.


> Message: 3

> Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 12:02:13 -0500

> From: "millerlh at earthlink.net" <millerlh at earthlink.net>

> Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] dim passenger light

> To: "dan at landiss.com, Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists"

> <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>

> Message-ID: <380-2201135417213233 at earthlink.net>

> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>

> I am no expert at all in these matters, but the previous owner of my 1990 

> 560SEC had installed a new wiring configuration to support more powerful 

> headlights before I got the car. I found this out when I went to replace a 

> bulb and discovered the more powerful bulb he had installed.

>

> I would not have known the wiring had been changed, but was kind enough to 

> respond to my inquiry as to why the bulb I found was more powerful than 

> the Factory spec.. He told me he upgraded the wiring to avoid over 

> powering the factory wiring (for want of a better description). Said he 

> had wanted to avoid "outrunning the headlights"

>

> Is it possible that this may be one factor contributing to your problem?

>

> Lou Miller

>

> PS Don't ask me what he did or how he did it. He works on satellites and 

> deals with that sort of stuff all the time. I just turn the key and enjoy.

>

>

> That is also a sign of shaky grounds. the voltage at an "off" lamp should 

> be zero, not over a half volt.

>