Philco cruise control on early SL

[winecountryone]

I have been so excited that I finally got the cruise working on the 240D that I've been toying with the idea of trying to get the one going on the 1974 450SL.
There is little to no info I could find about testing/troubleshooting these early systems.I know it doesn't work but have no idea why.
Anyone with any knowledge/ideas on where to start please chime in.
My local library has a lot of manuals for vintage cars.I could likely find some info from vintage Ford/Lincoln service books but I'm unsure if MB might have modified the system in any way making this info useful or not.I think this early type was discontinued in favor of the vacuum actuated VDO system in/around 1975.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by winecountryone

I have been so excited that I finally got the cruise working on the 240D that I've been toying with the idea of trying to get the one going on the 1974 450SL.
There is little to no info I could find about testing/troubleshooting these early systems.I know it doesn't work but have no idea why.
Anyone with any knowledge/ideas on where to start please chime in.
My local library has a lot of manuals for vintage cars.I could likely find some info from vintage Ford/Lincoln service books but I'm unsure if MB might have modified the system in any way making this info useful or not.I think this early type was discontinued in favor of the vacuum actuated VDO system in/around 1975.

Try to find a copy of the Mercedes factory W114/115 body/chassis manual. Mine has a section on the Philco cruise control. You'll need to look on eBay or one of the Mercedes parts sources. If you can't get a paper manual, it may still be availible on CD.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[winecountryone]

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

Try to find a copy of the Mercedes factory W114/115 body/chassis manual. Mine has a section on the Philco cruise control. You'll need to look on eBay or one of the Mercedes parts sources. If you can't get a paper manual, it may still be availible on CD.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Well,when in doubt,consult a factory manual! That seems like good logic I wasn't sure what all models used the philco system.Cruise control didn't seem like a common option on most of the early cars I've seen in the wrecking yards.I'll look for the 114/115 manuals.
THANKS!!

[Deltacom]

This thread on cruise control might help....

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by winecountryone

Well,when in doubt,consult a factory manual! That seems like good logic I wasn't sure what all models used the philco system.Cruise control didn't seem like a common option on most of the early cars I've seen in the wrecking yards.I'll look for the 114/115 manuals.
THANKS!!

When I got my factory manual many years ago, I was suprised to find that Mercedes Had used a Philco cruise control.
For most vehicle makes, I've found that it's very hard to get usefull information on accessory-items like cruise control, in anything other than a factory manual.
If you do find repair info for your cruise control, your next challenge may be trying to find Philco parts.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[winecountryone]

Finding parts will be a hassle I agree.
I know that even the companies like GDL that overhaul the VDO systems won't touch these!
I'm thinking maybe looking in the pages of collector car magazines like "Hemming's motor news".There ought to be suppliers for vintage Ford/Lincoln owners who need these items found in the wealth of info in the "old car bible".

[meltedpanda]

i think I have a schematic if that will help, PM me your email

[winecountryone]

PM sent,this should prove helpful.The Haynes manual give only a passing brief about the early system.
I think I may be missing one or more components.I have no idea why a PO would have removed them....But it's not the first puzzle I've had to unravel.
Someone did a lot of "hacking up" on the electrical on this car

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by winecountryone

PM sent,this should prove helpful.The Haynes manual give only a passing brief about the early system.
I think I may be missing one or more components.I have no idea why a PO would have removed them....But it's not the first puzzle I've had to unravel.
Someone did a lot of "hacking up" on the electrical on this car

My W114/115 manual shows a Phico cruise-control for 1975 280 and 280C models, but a cruise repair diagram also illustrates some details covering the W116 sedan and W107-SL.

You should have a two-piece speedometer cable attached to a speed sensor under the dash.

Also a black plastic-cased Philco electronic amplifier unit having a single ground wire and three wire harnesses with white American connectors, different from the German harness connectorst used by Mercedes at the time.
The three harnaesses connect to (1) brake-light switch & control switch, (2) speed sensor, (3) throttle actuator-servo

a rocker control-switch for the W114'115'116, or a push-pull switch for the W107-SL,

and a black-plastic underhood throttle actuator servo with a steel mounting bracket and cable to the engine's accelerator linkage, vacuum hose to the power-brake vaccum line, and a harness connected to the amplfier.

Except for the fact that it was made/marketed by Philco, most of the system looks like a typical aftermarket add-on cruise-control unit, commonly sold by American autoparts stores in the '70s and '80s.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[winecountryone]

Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro

My W114/115 manual shows a Phico cruise-control for 1975 280 and 280C models, but a cruise repair diagram also illustrates some details covering the W116 sedan and W107-SL.

You should have a two-piece speedometer cable attached to a speed sensor under the dash.

Also a black plastic-cased Philco electronic amplifier unit having a single ground wire and three wire harnesses with white American connectors, different from the German harness connectorst used by Mercedes at the time.
The three harnaesses connect to (1) brake-light switch & control switch, (2) speed sensor, (3) throttle actuator-servo

a rocker control-switch for the W114'115'116, or a push-pull switch for the W107-SL,

and a black-plastic underhood throttle actuator servo with a steel mounting bracket and cable to the engine's accelerator linkage, vacuum hose to the power-brake vaccum line, and a harness connected to the amplfier.

Except for the fact that it was made/marketed by Philco, most of the system looks like a typical aftermarket add-on cruise-control unit, commonly sold by American autoparts stores in the '70s and '80s.

Happy Motoring, Mark

The "servo" on my 107 is located under the dash,near the vacuum pod for the center vent.I appear to have a cable that attaches to the throttle linkage,but I can't seem to follow it's path back to the servo.On all the sedans I've seen (mostly old 116's)the transducer the speedo cable goes to is in the engine compartment.I can't locate this as of yet on my car.As for the control box....It must be under the dash "somewhere".
These descriptions are a big help!!
Thanks again!!!