Hi,
Ever since I bought my 1984 300SD a number of
months back, when I start my car the windshield wipers
always come on for a wipe or two. I also noticed the
speedometer went up to 20 when cranking. My battery
went dead a week ago and I replaced it with a new battery.
Tonight this new battery died.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jeff
-->> T.G. Lambach <<-- - 22 Feb 2008 06:24 GMT
You need to check all the circuits for a drain. That's done by removing
each fuse, one by one, and checking its circuit with an ohm meter or
test lamp. The one with a short or drain will light the test lamp or
show resistance on the ohm meter. Only the clock is a legitimate draw.
Power antenna motors sometimes get stuck ON. You can disconnect its
motor at the antenna - and still have radio if the antenna is left in an
UP position.
Another possibility is a window motor that's ON due to a stuck switch.
Wipers seem to get a shot of power whenever the starter is used -
somehow getting power from the start circuit or ignition switch. Anyone
ever "work" on the car's wiring - to install a stereo or alarm? If so
I'd first look there.

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Roland Franzius - 22 Feb 2008 12:50 GMT
Rooster schrieb:
> Hi,
> Ever since I bought my 1984 300SD a number of
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Any suggestions?
Perhaps a bad or no motor-ground connection.
Alternator may be not working.
Check belt tension, battery voltage difference with and without engine
running, alternator loading lamp in the instrument cluster and the
graphite contact in the alternator as well as the voltage regulator unit.

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Roland Franzius
Rooster - 26 Feb 2008 03:24 GMT
Well, it turned out to be the obvious--the alternator.
Completely dead. There's a guy in town that does
nothing but rebuild alternators and starters, so I'm
having him rebuild it rather than take a chance at Kragen.
Once I get it back together I'll check out all the fuses
because I still suspect a drain somewhere.
Thanks again,
Jeff