HELP: W126 clock is ticking, not keeping time - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LUVMBDiesels · #1 03-20-2009, 06:41 AM

Hi Guys,

The clock in the SDL has stopped keeping time. I can hear it ticking and if I move the hands it will keep time for five minutes before the hands stop moving. It was running fine until I removed the battery leads to replace the starter. Does anybody know how to get this clock keeping time again? I have a spare working clock/tach from the 300SD, but the connectors are different. Can I remove the clock from the SD tach and put it into the SDL tachometer?
Has anybody done that?

Thanks!

LUVMBDiesels · #2 03-20-2009, 12:30 PM

Anybody?

SD Blue · #3 03-20-2009, 12:52 PM

I have seen a couple of repairs for the W123 but none for the W126. When I've done searches for the W126 clock, all that has come up are reports on repair places to send it to. Personally, I haven't taken one apart to see what makes it tick. (Pardon the pun.)What comes to my mind is couldn't a local clock/watch repair store do this? The question might be if they have 12Vdc power and are willing to do the repair. (My clock doesn't work either.)

From the W123 series repairs, most have mentioned the replacement of a main capacitor. I wonder if, once inside, the W126 clock needs a similar repair. A leaking capacitor might describe what has happened to your clock.

(Couldn't tell you about replacement compatibility.)

ah-kay · #4 03-20-2009, 01:03 PM

Try this link

http://articles.mbz.org/instrument/renew/

You need to replace the capacitors as per the link. I have not done it myself but will try soon as my SDL clocks are not working either. Please post your result once you have done it.

tjohn · #5 03-20-2009, 01:07 PM

Common problem caused by worn out capacitors. Try the repair here.

EDIT: Looks like we cross-posted, must mean we're twice as right. This did work for me on my 82 300 SD.

71inka02 · #6 03-20-2009, 01:10 PM

I had same problem on my 85 SD, as well as the odo had started to 'act up' relative to mileage -- I'm not comfortable with DIY repairs for this type thing -- went to speedo/vdo specialist in my home town and they basically rebuilt my entire cluster. And as mentioned already in this thread, the caps were bad...Gears for odo were brittle and starting to break away - they replaced all, cleaned up, replaced all bulbs and did resistance checks on all instruments - found something off a little with my fuel gauge...repaired all for $188 + labor to remove and replace the cluster.

Works great - bright and clean...

LUVMBDiesels · #7 03-20-2009, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the postings. I will remove both clocks as per the instructions and see if the older working one will fit before replacing the caps...

cmbdiesel · #8 03-20-2009, 05:46 PM

Try working the set knob first. Read a thread here where the set knob was sticking, which didn't allow the clock to move.
Can't hurt to try, and it's alot easier than pulling the cluster

brandlj · #9 03-20-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

Try working the set knob first. Read a thread here where the set knob was sticking, which didn't allow the clock to move.
Can't hurt to try, and it's alot easier than pulling the cluster

This is exactly what the clock in my 86 sdl does. Twice a year when I change the clock in the spring and fall, my clock set button sticks. I have to push and pull a few times before it starts working normally.

Ian White · #10 03-21-2009, 03:11 AM

why do they stop working, mine has never worked in all the time i've owned mine.