4 INTRODUCTION/HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL INTRODUCTION ‘The 1980 Mercedes-Benz Electrical ‘Troubleshooting Manual is divided into seven enr groupe: 20D ‘800D/300c/3007D ‘00s. 22808/280CE 250SE 450S1./4508LC 450SEL ‘Those groups are defined by index bare on the outside edge of each page. Each of the seven groups begins with page 100, and hes ite own index. Each group containg ‘echematic diagrams of the circuits found on ‘the car(e) covered in that group. Also within, each group, start ‘component location: ‘These give information to help you locate components on the vehicle HOW 70 USE THIS MANUAL is which work together are shown together. Schematic «drawings are arranged so that current flows from positive at the top of the page, to rogative atthe botiom. Fuses are shown at ‘the top of the page. Al wires, connectors, ‘witches and motore are shown inthe Now of ‘current to ground at the botiam ofthe page. ‘The “hot” labels appearing at thetop of fuses or components show the IGNITION ‘SWITCH positions which aupply power to that point, ‘The terminal number “30” appearing on the “IGNITION SWITCH and LIGHT SWITCH means that these terminala are always supplied with power. The terminal ‘number "18" on the IGNITION SWITCH ‘means that thie terminal is supplied with power only when the IGNITION SWITCH in the "Run" or “Start” positions, ‘Component and Wire Representation All wiring between components is shown exactly as it existe on the vehicle. Wiring inside complicated components has been implied to. aid in understanding its electrical operation. Transistorized ‘shown as plain boxes labeled te" Switches and sensors are rat reat” as if the IGNITION SWITCH were of, Notes are included which ‘eacribe how ewitches and other components work, ‘Clcults Which Shere Power and/or Ground Each circuit is shown completly and independently on one schematic diagram. Other circuits which get their power from the ‘same point, or which ground at the same point ae the circuit you arelocking.at, are not fhown. However, if other cicuita actually hare a wire or wires within te echematic ddingram, they are partially represented. Power Distribution and Ground Distribution Diagram ‘The Power Distribution diagrame show ‘connections from the BATTERY "and ALTERNATOR to the fuses, and to the IGNITION SWITCH and LIGHT SWITCH. ‘Tais will tall you how each circuit gets its power, and what circuits share common fuses. Ground Distribution diagrame show how’ several circuits are connected to ‘common grounds, Component identification Component names are found underlined next to or above each component. The name i followed, in many cases, by some deta tthe component or its operation. Below the component name, in parentheses, you ‘may find a “code” number. Thisiathe factory hharnese marking number. It is printed on tape wrapped around the branch of the wiring harness which feeds that component. Some Automatic Climate Control ‘components have n number with an asterisk above the component name. This is the ACC training number for that component.TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE 1. VERIFY THE COMPLAINT ‘Operate tae problem ciruitin all modesto ‘check the necuracy of the complaint. This may give a cide eto dhe extent, nature fand location of the problems. 2. CHECK THE FUSE AND RELATED CIRCUITS Determine the extent of the problem by ‘operating circuits which share the same fone Ifthe other eieuita work, the fase is ood. The cake must he within che wiring {tnigue to the problem cireit REFER TO THE E.TM. AND ANALYZE THE CIRCUIT Study the cieuit schematic 1 learn how ‘the crcut should operate. The schematic valle you wT Where the circuit receives current = What circuit protection is involved = What switcher control curzent How = How che loads operate Understanding the total circuit is necessary if you are to troubleshoot Ciiienty, Determine possible problem Areas and testing locations. The Component Location table telle where components and round) points’ are Tocated: YSTEMATICALLY TEST THE CIRCUIT IN ORDER TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM ‘Asa general guideline ifthe fault affects a single component ofa circuit, ware to test at that fmponent. Ifthe fault affecta_n number of components uf a eieuit start to estat fhe point where the cireut get its power TROUBLESHOOTING 5. MAKE THE REPAIR Afier you have narrowed the problem own to a” apeciie couse, repair at nneceeeary 6. VERIFY CIRCUIT OPERATION First operate the repaired circuit in all muda tobe sure you have fixed the entire Droblem:. Next, operate all circuits which share tename fuse. Be tire that Uhiadoee not eause the problem to reappe TESTING TOOLS ‘Testing a circuit (etep 4 of the Gtep TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE) einen the use of a VOLTMETER and/or ‘tn OHMMETER, "A VOLTMETER ix used to measure voltage at various points within a ciruit If fn analog VOLTMETER is used, it must have areristance of at least 20.000 ohms per volt_in the low range. Any. digital VOLTMETER may be used Use of an OHMMETER should be limited ‘twhamese wiring, connections and ewitches. Kt should not be used on solid state ‘componente or gelays.” An” OHMMETER ‘measures a circuit foriteresiatancetocurrent flow. Since an OHMMETER has an internal battery that provides current to the circuit under eat, it is fret necessary to diaconmect. the car battery. Thin will naure that there i ro voltage already present inthe circuit, TROUBLESHOOTING TESTS Voltage Test T'Connect the negative lend of the VOLTMETER wa known good ground ot gative () battery terminal 2 Connect the positive lead of the VOLTMETER to a point (connector or terminal) you wish to tet. 3. If the meter registers, there i voltage present. Tht voltage should be wishinone Noltof meanored battery voltage. A loss of ‘more than ane voltindieates a problem. A Toote connection ie a likely cause, Take readings et several points along the ‘iret to ieolate the problem, Voltage Testteat checks for voltage being lost ‘longa wire, of through a connection oF twitch. Connect the positive lead of the VOLTMETER to the end ofthe wite,ortothe side of the connection which i claseat to the battery. Connect the negative lead to the ‘other end of the wire, or the other nid ofthe ‘connection, When the circuit is operated, the VOLTMETER will show the difference in voltage between the two points. A difference {or drop) of more than ane volt indicaten 8 problem. ae Voltage Drop Test TROUBLESHOOTING ing For Short to Ground With a Voltmeter "Remove the blown fase anddisconnect the load 2. Connect the VOLTMETER across the fuse terminal 8, Beginning near the fuse box, move the hhamnens from wide to side while watching the VOLIMETER. 4. If the meter registers, thee isa short to ‘ground in the wiring. Short with Voltmeter te Ing For Shon to Ground With an Ohmmeter 1 6 ‘Check OHMMETER by adjusting the needle to zero while holding the leads together Remove the blown fuse and disconnect the Dpatery and load Connect one lead of the OHMMET! the fare terminal on the load side Connect the ather lead to known good ground, Beginning near the fuse box, move the Iharmees from side to aie, while watching the OHMMETER If there is no short, the meter will show infinitely high resistance. If the meter reginers low or no resistance, there is shor to ground in the wiring, ‘Testing foe Short with OhmmeterTROUBLESHOOTING Continuity T To Cheek OHMMETER by adjusting the needle to 7010 while holding the leads together 2. Disconnect the ear battery 5. Connect one lead uf the ONMMETER to foneend of the part of the eireait you wish 1 to the other end If the meter shows low or no resistance, there is continuity pea ie un Continuity Tent