Late purchase on a 83 240D. When you get in and buckle the seat belt the warning light comes on with the igniton on, and then goes off after a short while. If you get in and don't buckle the belt and turn on the ignition it lights up and a warning buzzer is heard. My main concern is if you drive with the seat belt buckled the warning light comes on intermittently, but if you release it it goes out. Has anyone had this problem and possibly a solution.

There is a black sheated electrical wire under the driver's seat that attaches to another at I believe if I remember a 4 or 6 prong connector. Personally the seat belt buzzer is fairly annoying to me and you may just want to disconnect it entirely. I believe this would eliminate the notification light as well. Then, if you ever feel you need it you can always just plug it back in.

Also, you could try cleaning the connection pegs at this point, I've found that sometime just swiping off these pegs after 20 some years and coating them with a light coat of petro jelly can sometimes cure an electrical problem.

__________________
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

If you unbuckle the belt after the light comes on going down the road and it goes out wouldn't that mean it possible is the seat belt switch? Do you know if you can replace the switch in the female end of the buckle or is it just seat belt replacement time?

petroleum jelly is conductive? seems like it would inhibit flow...

__________________
Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

I'm not sure about petrolatum's conductivity, however it is a corrosion preventative and general lubricant and is fairly viscous (roughly 60-75 SUS @ 210F) so would at least prevent from deposits forming on the connectors as I have seen happen on countless connections in my 123.

In fact, my right side window switch almost completely stopped functioning a few weeks ago (decided to not go up when I had lowered it). I took out the whole unit from the wood panel and disconnected the plug. The prongs had dusty crap on them that was inhibiting the current, so I wiped them off and applied the petrolatum (just a very light coat) to prevent this happening again. Since then, haven't had any problem with the switch at all, goes up and down at the slightest touch. Saved me $70 or so on a new switch.

__________________
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

Or would that be "more weird"? My seatbelt light blinks on when I use either turn signal. It blinks once then goes out. I always wear the belt so I can't say for sure it happens without the belt. Oh yes, on the wagon, not the sedan.

__________________
1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Are you talking about the kind of petroleum jelly that you might get at a pharmacy or grocery store?

Normal petrolatum, not white petrolatum or mineral jelly (these have applications in lip balms, ointments, etc, as well as many other strange uses in food industry and PVC and rubber lubricants.

Normal petrolatum is both a general purpose lubricant and rust preventative. It will prevent rust and myriad other crap from forming on the prongs of electrical connections if applied in a thin coat (in my experience at least).

__________________
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

My Coupe does that as well. Sometimes it comes on when I turn on the wipers, or even sometimes when I apply the breaks. It hasn't bothered me enough to actually spend alot of time tracking it down.

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'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.