I was cleaning my connections today and I noticed that when I disconnected the negative ground strap that bolts onto the firewall, the strap shares the terminal with four red wires that connect onto a single post connector.

While the grounding strap was not sparking at the battery terminal, these four red wires were sparking on the grounding post as I loosened the nut (the key was not in the ignition).

Not sure if that would indicate a short ..... anyone know what those wires ground?

Lotsa views but no opinions. That's rare for Peach Parts!

Shall I snap a photo? I'm pretty sure I'm looking at stock wiring.

Thanks

My '85 300D-T (W123, OM617) also has those wires, whcih dive into a fat cable going who knows where. They may be "faded brown" rather than "red" in color; the Germans use brown for ground religiously (or brown with a color stripe if you have a Doctor of Divinity degree ).

In the ETM, I can't find anything except the battery grounded to that point (G100) so I don't know what the wires are for. If they spark when touched to ground, they are likely for circuits that use power even when the key is off, e.g., interior lights (with door open), etc.

At any rate, you are right, they are supposed to be there.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

I looked at mine today. looks like one wire connected to the bolt, and drops down under the battery into a large wire harness to who knows where. as far as the color I didn`t determine one. but didn`t notice one being red.

I know the clock runs all the time, don`t think it is enough to make a large spark.

try removing one fuse at a time to determine which circuit it is.
Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works