[W126 Coupe] vARIOUS ISSUES

[Mister McGoo]

Interesting.  Obviously you have more experiences with this car than a lot of people would want to have.  I have only seen one car with full hydraulics and that was an '81 Euro 380SEL in less-than-prestine shape.  Lovely riding car though.
-Bellamy
 

> From: calvinyoung at cox.net

> To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com

> Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:36:19 -0400

> Subject: [W126 Coupe] vARIOUS ISSUES

> 

> 

> 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 

> 

> 

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