Interesting options on a 1992 300SL that I just bought

[alabbasi]

I just got home from a 1000 mile round trip to pick up a 92 300SL. The car is a 5 speed manual which is why I bought it. It's not running and when I got there, the suspension was completely down. At first, I thought it had coilovers but then I remembered that some 600SL's had ADS2 dampers which appears to be what this had. I had a hell of a job getting it on the trailer.

 

[TimL]

How awesome!! Someone back then was on a mission to spec a maximum sport setup in a 300SL-24. Love it!!! Of course fixing that suspension now will be next door to impossible but what a cool setup!

 

[R129 UK]

@alabbasi - what is the box on the passenger door card?

All cars that I remember seeing also have an extra control beside the light switch:

 

[195910]

+1 Its missing the control buttons on the left, but has a sport/comfort switch in the center console. Can you post the VIN? should be interesting to see the datacard.

 

[gsxr]

@alabbasi - what is the box on the passenger door card?

Looks like the usual folding cup holder that was a popular accessory back in the day.

 

[R129 UK]

Looks like the usual folding cup holder that was a popular accessory back in the day.

View attachment 220057

TIL... never seen one before, I must have led a sheltered life

 

[alabbasi]

TIL... never seen one before, I must have led a sheltered life

With the pub and club culture in the UK being what it was during during the 90's, I suspect that car manufacturers deliberately hid them.

@195910 - Vin: WDBFA61E9MF035433

I can't seem to find any information on ADS online. The car was not running when I got it and it was a bear to load. I was able to get it running by pouring fuel into the intake enough to pump up the suspension which made loading simpler. It's a good looking car but like any old R129, it needs knickknacks. Someone (me) needs to learn how to use a 3D printer.

 

[gsxr]

wow, it does have ADS! code 216:

Mercedes VIN Decoder | Decode Your Mercedes-Benz VIN

Datacard for 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL-24 (129.061) - WDBFA61E9MF035433

www.lastvin.com

SELF-LEVELING SUSPENSION ALL-AROUND, WITH ADAPTIVE DAMPING SYSTEM (ADS)

[td width="58.125px"]216[/td]

 

[maw1124]

TIL... never seen one before, I must have led a sheltered life

Someone installed one of these in the center console roll box of my 500E. Works very handy there. 2-screw job.

maw

 

[maw1124]

How awesome!! Someone back then was on a mission to spec a maximum sport setup in a 300SL-24. Love it!!! Of course fixing that suspension now will be next door to impossible but what a cool setup!

Hopefully it’s just fluid and accumulators, like any of the current ABC cars. Of course struts will be hard to find but hopefully he doesn’t need any. That will be a fun car indeed if he can get it to run like the factory intended.

maw

EDIT… he got it to pump up with the engine running, which is actually GR8 news as we know

 

[195910]

It should have the ADS level controls to the left of the lights switch. Check the EPC on the ADS level controls, someone might have replaced the lights switch panel with a non-ADS variant!

I bought my first ADS-II equipped car last year, unlike ABC this is far more robust and has more tolerance.

 

[Glen]

Someone (me) needs to learn how to use a 3D printer.

It’s not that hard. Learning CAD takes a little effort but the reward is tremendous. It’s opened a whole new world for me.

 

[R129 UK]

someone might have replaced the lights switch panel with a non-ADS variant!

I agree, this is the most likely scenario.

I would guesstimate <5% of non 600s have ADS although it appears more popular on the earliest cars.

 

[alabbasi]

It should have the ADS level controls to the left of the lights switch. Check the EPC on the ADS level controls, someone might have replaced the lights switch panel with a non-ADS variant!

I bought my first ADS-II equipped car last year, unlike ABC this is far more robust and has more tolerance.

I think that this might be ADS-1 instead of ADS-2 which came out in the mid 90's. Here's what I found:

 

[R129 UK]

This is from a 2002 model year SL600 (US Spec) I just found on Car and Classic which also has option code 216:

Mercedes-Benz Datacard:

• Code Description
• 216 Self-levelling Suspension All-around, With Adaptive Damping System (Ads)
• 231 Garage Door Opener
• 254 Radio Mb Audio 30 - Usa
• 309 Cup Holder
• 349 Prep. For Emergency Call System
• 461 Instrument With Miles Ind. And English Legend
• 472 Electronic Stability Program (Esp)
• 494 Version For USA
• 524 Paintwork - Preservation
• 551 Anti-theft/anti-break-in Warning System
• 612 Xenon Headlight
• 634 Deletion - First Aid Kit
• 636 Deletion - Warning Triangle
• 668 Mode Of Packing Ve Iii With Styropor Bumper Rails
• 731 Wood Trim, Burred Walnut Root
• 740 Black Soft Top Fabric 9001
• 772 AMG Styling Package - Front Spoiler, Side Skirts And Rear Apron
• 774 Shell Modification For AMG-wheels
• 793 AMG Complete Wheels (4 Pcs.): - 8.5 X 18 Et25 Fr. Axle 245/40, 10 X 18 Et25 Rear Axle 275/35, 2-piece
• 802 Change Of Model Year, The Last Figure Showing The New Model Year
• 810 Sound System

Does anyone know the details of option 231 - Garage Door Opener? I have only seen this on US cars and would love to have it on mine.

What frequency does the opener use? Is there wiring included as standard for the mirror in case of a swap with a non-opener mirror?

 

[alabbasi]

You'll need an interior mirror assembly. I don't know about you, but i'm even scared of looking of mine too hard in case it might self destruct.

 

[R129 UK]

You'll need an interior mirror assembly. I don't know about you, but i'm even scared of looking of mine too hard in case it might self destruct.

The plastic parts on my car are in surprisingly good condition mainly due to the crappy cold wet weather we get for most of the year.

 

[alabbasi]

The plastic parts on my car are in surprisingly good condition mainly due to the crappy cold wet weather we get for most of the year.

If i find one in the junk yard. I'll get you the buttons and some mirror dust.

 

[195910]

I think that this might be ADS-1 instead of ADS-2 which came out in the mid 90's. Here's what I found:

View attachment 220398

You are correct. I just looked at various R129 SL600s on sale, most of the pre-1996 cars did not have the adjustment switches, but some did have a single level height adjustment switch in the same place ! ADS-1 might be available in 2 versions even on the Pre-1996 SL600.

Post-1996 cars with ADS-II had the level adjustment switches and level hold button.

 

[195910]

This is from a 2002 model year SL600 (US Spec) I just found on Car and Classic which also has option code 216:

Mercedes-Benz Datacard:

• Code Description
• 216 Self-levelling Suspension All-around, With Adaptive Damping System (Ads)
• 231 Garage Door Opener
• 254 Radio Mb Audio 30 - Usa
• 309 Cup Holder
• 349 Prep. For Emergency Call System
• 461 Instrument With Miles Ind. And English Legend
• 472 Electronic Stability Program (Esp)
• 494 Version For USA
• 524 Paintwork - Preservation
• 551 Anti-theft/anti-break-in Warning System
• 612 Xenon Headlight
• 634 Deletion - First Aid Kit
• 636 Deletion - Warning Triangle
• 668 Mode Of Packing Ve Iii With Styropor Bumper Rails
• 731 Wood Trim, Burred Walnut Root
• 740 Black Soft Top Fabric 9001
• 772 AMG Styling Package - Front Spoiler, Side Skirts And Rear Apron
• 774 Shell Modification For AMG-wheels
• 793 AMG Complete Wheels (4 Pcs.): - 8.5 X 18 Et25 Fr. Axle 245/40, 10 X 18 Et25 Rear Axle 275/35, 2-piece
• 802 Change Of Model Year, The Last Figure Showing The New Model Year
• 810 Sound System

Does anyone know the details of option 231 - Garage Door Opener? I have only seen this on US cars and would love to have it on mine.

What frequency does the opener use? Is there wiring included as standard for the mirror in case of a swap with a non-opener mirror?

ADS was standard on the SL600. The garage door opener is a 315Mhz system.

 

[744Brillantsilber]

That's a special optioned car for sure!
I havent seen an ads 1 car without the level switch. Ads 1 can pump up the car for higher obstacle clearance and this requires the switch.
Owning an das 1 car, I am having some German ads 1 paperwork at home, feel free to reach out if you need a diagram or help.

 

[R129 UK]

The garage door opener is a 315Mhz system.

Thanks for the info, mine is 433Mhz so no good over here.

 

[alabbasi]

You can just buy a controller that wires to any garage door opener and wire it to the wall switch. Not hard to install and you'll get 315mhz.

 

[alabbasi]

I spent the whole weekend working on the car and got it running by draining the tanks and dropping the fuel pumps and fuel distributor into an ultrasonic cleaner. I got both pumps going but one was very slow (already ordered two replacement). As a short cut, I bypassed that pump and was able to run the car of a single pump for now.

It runs pretty well but has ADS light on. Fluid looks low.

Question:

What kind of fluid does it need? I may have a liter or so of the stuff that went into a 560SEC and gallons of CHF-11S. My parts wholesaler lists it as an alternative but I wanted to get feedback from this group first.

Aside from this, the HVAC is non functional but a spin around the block produced nice results and the car itself runs great.

 

[744Brillantsilber]

For the ads light: Turn the steering all the way to the left, right and back to center in case the battery was disconnected.
That should solve the ads light of the system works correct.
The fluid is the same as used on the SLS system in the 124 and 126. As far as I know only the original MB fluid is approved, no aftermarket one.

 

[195910]

You will need Z-HM Mineral Hydraulic Fluid. But I will be testing an "Upgrade Hydraulic Fluid" soon.

 

[alabbasi]

So, I finally managed to get the 300SL running, but I’m working through some issues and would really appreciate input from any R129 experts, especially on the items I’ve marked in bold:

1. MPG gauge not working. The rest of the cluster is fine. I first thought it might be a loose vacuum line, but since it’s a fully electronic dash, I’m not sure. Does anyone know where the MPG gauge gets its signal from?
2. Climate control unit is dead. I could swear it was working on the day I picked up the car (I turned it off), but now it won’t power up at all.
3. ADS light is on. I’ve tried the usual steering wheel lock-to-lock trick, but it makes no difference. Fluid is clean and at the proper level.
4. Hard starting — could be a weak fuel accumulator or a sticking idle control valve. Still troubleshooting.
5. Electric radiator fan runs constantly. I didn’t see a jumper at the dryer, so I’m wondering where else it could have been bypassed.
6. Parasitic drain — the battery dies within 3 days. Plan is to track it down by pulling fuses one at a time.
7. Driver’s door unlocks with the key but won’t lock.

Any advice, wiring diagrams, or troubleshooting steps would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kubasz]

ADS light may light up due to steerng angle sensor being bad or one or both acceleration sensors being bad. One acceleration sensor is located near the right front wheel near the brake caliper and the other one is located in the engine bay on the left side near the strut tower. WIS states that those sesnors are very sensitive to vibrations especially those associated with hammering during brake jobs. I recorded a short clip about testing my half good sensor on YT few years ago. I ended up replacing it the updated plastic housing version.

As for the battery drain the number one most common thing is the gauge set. Usually its either clock control transistors, mechanical odometer control transistors or the outside temp gauge backlight transistor. They are all type BC337 or BC327 and they can cause up to 200mA current at rest and it will make batery weak within few days.

Its best to read the DTC memory for ADS and it will let you know which element is bad. As for the wiring diagrams i would recommend StarService which in emergencies is also available online at benz.ehost.tj but you may need some browser plugins like autodesk design review.

 

[alabbasi]

Thanks, is there a diagnostic port on these cars? I didn't see one where the 38 pin port is on my 98

 

[R129 UK]

Thanks, is there a diagnostic port on these cars? I didn't see one where the 38 pin port is on my 98

I think your car will have the 16 pin (non-OBD) port possibly looking like this:



It should have a cover so not obvious but under the bonnet - not sure if the location is dependent on the driver's steering wheel position or not.

 

[R129 UK]

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[alabbasi]

Thank you, I was looking for one but did not see it. It might be under one of the covers so I'll check again this evening.

 

[alabbasi]

Well i've gone this far in life without learning how to count and I'm not about to start now. Fortunately one of my AST Retrievers has a flash card that can read the Mercedes Benz blink codes and I was able to reset the ADS light. It threw two codes for Steering Angle Sensor and for ABS sensor. I was able to turn the wheel after resetting and turn the light went out.

I'm not able to read the CIS computer to see if it's reading anything from the O2 sensor. I may have to go to the small 9 pin socket on the drivers side. The scanner does direct me to plug into pin 3 but then says that it does not communicate. Maybe there's a problem with the computer?

The only other error that I got was from the infra red module which counted past 20 and then said overflow. This is the first time I've ever plugged into the 16 pin OBD diagnostic. I normally use my other AST retriever and it has software for the 38 pin and OBD2 only.

 

[alabbasi]

One of the symptoms i've been dealing with is cold start idle which is very low. So low that if I rev the car, it would want to stall out unless you give the engine 5 minutes to warm up. I removed the ICV to check it and it was super clean. I tested it with a 12v source and it opened and closed freely so I lubed it up with WD40 and put it back.

I also noticed that the car was sluggish when driving so I removed the EHA and dialed in the adjustment valve by 1/4 turn. This really woke the engine up and the became a blast to drive.

Slowly this car is coming together.