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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
H1LM002G55 - 8/24/2016 10:23 AM On the 500GE, the pan has an oil level indicator. However, I checked my owner's manual and there is no warning light for oil level In the instrument cluster. The only warning light is for low coolant. Why is this and is it possible to add the cable for the sensor and maybe use a W124 instrument cluster which may have a warning lamp for motor oil level? AlanMcR - 8/24/2016 1:03 PM
Both sensors (coolant and oil level) probably short to ground when they trip. I'd just connect them together and know that the low-coolant message means either low oil or low coolant. Perhaps put buzzer on that line too.
H1LM002G55 - 8/24/2016 1:31 PM A good idea. If I got a W124 instrument cluster that had both oil and coolant warning light indicators, then I should be able to run a cable for the oil level sensor, right? Any idea where to get the cable or what it looks like? I actually think Behr / Hella makes them for MB. Ie - Sensor cable from sensor in the bottom of the oil pan to the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.
Interestingly, getting back to the original post from H1LM002G55's thread (and quoting relevant posts from it above), my 1995 G320 instrument cluster over the July 4th weekend had the "oil level" lamp (an orange lamp) light up. At first it was intermittent, but now it is on all the time.
My G320 uses a W124 instrument cluster, and has both oil level and coolant lights.
A check of the EPC shows that the M104.996, as used in my G, does not have an oilpan-mounted oil level sensor, unlike other M104s used in civilian applications (E320, for example).
A check of the oil level shows it right where it should be -- about half to 2/3 between the two red markers on the dip-stick, so the truck is not burning oil.
Two other data points:
- The coolant level in the expansion tank is just fine (and has its own separate lamp next to the oil level lamp)
- The oil pressure is just fine, and is pegged to "3" most of the time in the pressure gauge, and down to around "2" at idle. Again, totally appropriate for the M104.
Thus, I have to conclude that the lamp on the dash must be mis-marked, and possibly for something else. I'm possibly thinking it may be for the washer fluid sensor, or that one of the lamps may be routed into the wrong hole in the back of the cluster. I'll remove the cluster to check this out. From what I can see in the EPC, the G320 with the M104 doesn't have an oil level sensor. Can anyone confirm this? Or if it does, where is it located? Cheers,
Gerry
Edited by gerryvz 7/6/2017 9:42 AM
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
I solved the problem. Confirmed that there is no oil level sensor at the oilpan via the EPC, and since the level and pressure were fine, I had to conclude there was no issue with the oil level.
Turned out that it was the windshield washer fluid sensor, which is mis-labeled in the dash as the oil level sensor. I had used the washer several times over the weekend to clear dirt/dust from the windshield, and this was a clue. I filled up the washer fluid container with new fluid, and the light went out.
Don't know if anyone else with a 1995 gray-market G-wagen has this same issue. I'll attach a photo of the warning light strip across the bottom of the 124 instrument cluster, for reference.
Cheers,
Gerry |
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
The E-class strung together several sensors on one line. Each sensor had a particular open and closed resistance. The instrument cluster figured out if the sensor was present/open/closed by looking at the moment to moment resistance of the two wires. Cheap and easy to wire up when new. However, when the resistance drifts off spec lots of weird messages pop up. Maybe something similar is going on here?
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
Here's what my instrument cluster warning light strip looks like on the left side. Note that the oil level light is there, instead of the windshield washer fluid level indicator.
 (2017-07-06 18.56.53.jpg)
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 2017-07-06 18.56.53.jpg (348KB - 0 downloads)
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| RE: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
Here is a photo of my 95 G320 which matches that in the owners manual. It should be easy to source the "label strip" and r&r.
 (IMG_1402.jpg)
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IMG_1402.jpg (143KB - 0 downloads)
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
Thanks. I'll order the part from the EPC (if still available) on my next parts order, and see what comes back. I could probably "adapt" one from a W124 cluster, as well. I have a few of those hanging around....... |
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paulunm
Veteran
Date registered: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 124
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
Why do these W124 US spec clusters have 463 part numbers on them? I had always thought Europa just swapped in a 124 cluster. |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
No, MB makes a 463 specific speedo and guage cluster. They are still available new as I have recently bought the MPH 463 cluster for my 463 BA3.
The sedan cluster goes to 160 MPH and didn't work in my G320 when plugged into the back. I spoke with Hartmut (?) at Palo Alto Speedometer and he said that I would need to do a face plate swap and gear change to make it work. By that I mean, put the sedan face on my 463 KPH speedo with a recalibration to MPH. |
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
The cluster external HOUSING is the same as a 124 housing, but the gauges are definitely different, and are going to have different part numbers.
Even the G320 speedometer with the ABS OFF warning light in the middle is different than the 500E/400E speedo for those cars that had ASR-II.
The fuel level gauge and tacho are going to be different, too, based on the different size/layout of fuel tank in the G320, as well as the different engine red-line spec.
DesertStar...looks like you need a new ambient temp display, as yours has some LCD bleed. This IS a standard W124 part, and I have more than a dozen of them, if you want me to send you a used (working) one, gratis.
Cheers,
Gerry |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
Gerry, funny I actually snapped that photo as i was changing out that display. Easy fix. |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
gerryvz - 7/12/2017 5:30 AM
The cluster external HOUSING is the same as a 124 housing, but the gauges are definitely different, and are going to have different part numbers.
Even the G320 speedometer with the ABS OFF warning light in the middle is different than the 500E/400E speedo for those cars that had ASR-II.
The fuel level gauge and tacho are going to be different, too, based on the different size/layout of fuel tank in the G320, as well as the different engine red-line spec.
DesertStar...looks like you need a new ambient temp display, as yours has some LCD bleed. This IS a standard W124 part, and I have more than a dozen of them, if you want me to send you a used (working) one, gratis.
Cheers,
Gerry
Hi Gerry, I have sent you a PM |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
I refilled my washer fluid today and the oil warning lamp turned off. Ha ha ha.
Edited by otiswesty 7/14/2017 12:29 AM
 (IMG_20170713_112149-1000x750.jpg)
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IMG_20170713_112149-1000x750.jpg (216KB - 0 downloads)
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
I'm going to source a new (correct) strip from MB, and if I get it in hand, will post the part number for others who may need it. |
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DesertStar
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: San Diego, CA USA
Vehicle(s): 85-280GE/95-G320/08-G500
Posts: 2156
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
gerryvz - 7/15/2017 2:03 PM I'm going to source a new (correct) strip from MB, and if I get it in hand, will post the part number for others who may need it. Let us know if they are still available...I have my EPC open now (looking up 400E camshaft seals) so here is the symbol strip for the G320.
 (g320strip.JPG)
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g320strip.JPG (71KB - 0 downloads)
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
My first two preliminary checks are showing that this part number is NLA from MB. I will check with Tom Hanson at the Classic Center on Monday. Hoping that it is still available as a standalone part, and doesn't require the purchase of a complete cluster.
If that is the case, I'll use my existing 124 instrument cluster parts stock (I have 3-4 spare clusters) to manufacture a "custom" strip that is correct.
Cheers,
Gerry |
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Nazrat
Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2009
Location: Northern VA
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320 Europa Import for sale, 2003 G500
Posts: 200
| RE: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
My (built in) 94 G320 has the same washer fluid light. I also just had the speedometer/odometer die on it. Any chance it's the sender and not the gauge? You said you replaced yours. Does the KPH one still work? I'd love to test my truck before dropping $750 on a new speedometer. I had the speedo not work once before and it was a fuse. All of the fuses are fine this time.
-Tad
EDIT: Photo removed to be resized. |
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Nazrat
Veteran
Date registered: Jun 2009
Location: Northern VA
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320 Europa Import for sale, 2003 G500
Posts: 200
| RE: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
Photo added
 (speedo.jpg)
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speedo.jpg (103KB - 0 downloads)
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
Hi Tad, I just bought a MPH speedo and will be pulling my KPH version.
If you want to borrow the original KPH speedo to test your truck, just let me know. |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| Re: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
gerryvz - 7/16/2017 8:24 AM
My first two preliminary checks are showing that this part number is NLA from MB.
I will check with Tom Hanson at the Classic Center on Monday. Hoping that it is still available as a standalone part.
Super bummer, actually, I think I tossed this strip when I went through the box of left over parts from the federalizer!
I thought it was from the donor sedan cluster, arggggh. |
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Otiswesty
Administrator
Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3004
| RE: 1995 G320 - oil level warning lamp conundrum
When I use my blinker or hazard switch, the blinker indicator in the right side strip does nothing.
There are right and left arrows that are working as appropriate to either side of the speedo.
Maybe this is some vestigial indicator lens that is not used. My ABS and SRS warning lights are functional.
Just curious if this double arrow lens is functional in any other of the G320s here.
 (Desertstar.jpg)
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Desertstar.jpg (146KB - 0 downloads)
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