[W124] 230CE '92 ABS and other queries

[Steve Nervig]

On May 22, 2006, at 2:18 PM, Frank Smyth wrote:

> Hi folks (esp. Dec, Steve, Paul, Alec)
>
> Just updating things - have been away for a while driving the car,  
> haven't had a chance to really do any work on it.
>
> 1. ABS probs - I'm wondering if it is the over-voltage relay as you  
> guys reckon. The bulb-failure device is also registering a failed  
> bulb somewhere, although I can't see that any of the lamps are  
> actually malfunctioning. I might replace some of the bulbs, in case  
> one is just intermittantly bad. But reason I mention it is, I  
> wonder if a failing OVP relay would also cause the bulb monitor to  
> light up ?
>
> 2. The economy gauge - all of the piping in the engine bay looks  
> okay. Maybe the feed at the dash/gauge is kinked or faulty, so I  
> plan on removing the dash panel and having a look-see - plus  
> replacing its bulbs (since it's worth doing with the panel out).
>
> 3. total-closure - got your instructions Steve, thanks, will look  
> into it a bit more
>
> 4. workshop manual/etc - I bought the EPC and WIS "Information  
> System" off Ebay, on four DVDs. Looks like they are "unofficial  
> copies" :-O but anyway, am hoping the wiring diagram is included  
> there somewhere.
>
> 5. Someone was asking if the 2.3 litre 4-cyl engine I have is a  
> M102 - looks like it is, according to this label:
> http://mx5ireland.com/members/frank/benz/engineelectrical/ 
> M102label.JPG
> plus maybe you'll recognise it from this: http://mx5ireland.com/ 
> members/frank/benz/engineelectrical/Manifold.JPG (guess there's a  
> manifold heatshield missing there ?)
>
> 6. Dec was asking about diagnostics - according to my MX5/Miata  
> braincells, OBDII wasn't installed in most cars in general until  
> 1996 at the earliest, yet most cars with an ECU had the ability to  
> report trouble codes via an LED plugged across two pins in the  
> diagnostics port. I found this 9-pin thing, I wonder if that's for  
> diagnostics ?
> http://mx5ireland.com/members/frank/benz/engineelectrical/ 
> Diagnostics.JPG
>
> Couple of other pics of interest here:
> http://mx5ireland.com/members/frank/benz/engineelectrical/ECUs.JPG
> http://mx5ireland.com/members/frank/benz/engineelectrical/ 
> IgnControl.JPG
> http://mx5ireland.com/members/frank/benz/engineelectrical/ 
> OVP_relay.JPG
>

Nothing specific here, Frank, but looking at your photos, what comes  
to mind is that I'm seeing a heavy amount of corrosion on things. Do  
you live close to the sea?

I would suggest a good electrical clean-up regimen and I'm thinking  
you will be along way on solving these electrical problems. I would  
get some Caig's DeoxIT (<http://www.deoxit.com/> I would accept no  
substitute) and methodically go thru your engine compartment,  
instruments, cables, grounds, etc, and clean the connections with  
DeoxIT and then treat with Deoxit Gold. And replace all of the fuses.

Our cars are getting to the age where these electrical gremlins will  
start to make ownership a pain in the ass if we don't keep the  
grounds and connections clean - it just gets too hard to diagnose.

Just a thought anyway.

Steve

--
When I get in my Mercedes, I've already reached my destination.