[W126 Coupe] vARIOUS ISSUES

[calvin young]

Hi Mr. McGoo, Guys,

yes indeed I am in the soup.  Fortunately it is warm and everything does not 
hurt.  I purchased an American instrument cluster for $100 from the junk 
yard and replaced the speedo/odometer gage only with the one that was in my 
car.  I do indeed have an ABS light which is currently on all the time 
indicating some issue I know not what.  The car is stopping without incident 
and the brakes and fluid level are OK.  Ahhh I just checked the mineral oil 
reservoir and it is empty so I have a leak somewhere.

I also have the hydraulic suspension which I replaced in pieces until I did 
the entire car when I purchased the car.  It worked for years, but now that 
I got the car back from my daughter, the level of the car no longer moves up 
and down when I change the switch level from say 0 to 1 or 2 passengers. 
This might be connected to the ABS system, but who knows.  Anyone know what 
the solution for this is just let me know.  Ahh found the problem, fluid 
leak.  Gotta get some fresh and find out where the fluid is leaking.  Old 
cars, you gotta love them.

The interior rebuild is going great.  I have replaced three panels and had 
to refurbish the fourth which I have just completed.  The "hooks" that 
attach the door panel to the car were broken so I JB welded them back on.  I 
also used one of the hooks to secure a sink to countertop to replace one 
that was missing.  Used a grinder to grind it down until it fit.  The screws 
fit perfectly into the channel of the part of the hook that was remaining. 
Unit is now stronger than the origninal setup when new.  Feel qujite pround 
of myself actually.  Next stop is to install the passenger door panel and 
the two front seats.

As far as the carpeting and the rest of the interior, I am using the stuff 
purchased from the junkyard, cleaning up the carpeting and will replace the 
original blue carpets and all of the side panels that go under the dash. 
The rear carpet I plan to leave because the junk yard rear carpet was pretty 
grungy and I do not believe it will clean up.  I am really amazed at how the 
original carpet is enduring and how well it cleans up with a powered sampoo 
brush.  Now like new, but acceptable.

All this and I do not plan to keep the car.  I will never get close to the 
time, money and effort I put into this car, but she is an honorable girl and 
deserves to be refurbished and sent on to a new owner who will appreciate 
her.

By the way, Frank, the other gages worked if someone needs them.

Cal


>

> Is there some reason that you replaced your instrument cluster? 

> sPEEDOHMETER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND ODOMETER NOT AT ALL.  Did you 

> replace the entire instrument assembly c/w the three "instruments"?  NO, 

> JUST THE SPEEDO.  Were the warning/information lights the same as on the 

> original?  NO, SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.  NO ABS LIGHT.  SAME EXCEPT FOR THAT. 

> The Euro would have had an ABS warning light (ABS was not on N. American 

> models in '83, but was standard in Europe since 1981) and on the far right 

> of the information lights there would be a full hydraulic suspension 

> warning light under the clock (car image with up/down arrows... IF your 

> car is so equipped).  I HAVE THE HYDRALIC SUSPENSION, AND THE ABS LIGHT, 

> BUT NO LIGHT WITH UP AND DOWN ARROWS FOR THE HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION.  THE 

> ABS LIGHT IS UNDER THE CLOCK.

>

> And IF you have a 380SEC with full hydraulic suspension, and IF it is in 

> working condition, my advice is DON'T MESS WITH IT.  Screwing that system 

> up will give the term "expensive" a whole new meaning!  bEEN THERE, DON 

> THAT.  IT COST A BUNDLE.  THE BOMBS, THE PUMP AND LORD KNOWS WHAT ELSE.


I WILL GET TO THE WIRING MODS A LITTLE LATER.  THEY WERE SOMEWHAT EXTENSIVE 
AND I HAVE TO TRACE THEM.  SO FAR, I FOUND TWO RELAY CANS THAT WERE NOT 
ORIGINAL.  MY GUESS THESE WERE FOR THE LIGHTS.  IN ANY EVENT, HE SPLICED 
INTO THE BROWN/GREY WIRE ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND RAN THE WIRE OVER TO ONE 
OF THE RELAYS.
CAL