That's the great thing about the "old", mechanical OM60x engines. Once the engine is started, it requires zero electrical connections to STAY running. You will lose wipers, lights, climate control, etc... but the engine will run until the fuel tank is emptied. The 1990-up models that have vacuum-operated wategates may suffer power loss (no boost), but they also should keep running.
:-) +dm > ------------------------------ > Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 13:13:27 -0800 > From: John M McIntosh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [MBZ] W124 charging system fails, how far can you drive, > lots.... > > > For excitement this morning, got in w124 wagon, started up drove off > to highway, then notice heat seater lights blinking, heated rear > window switch blinking. > Mmm, charging issue, or battery (new battery tho). Yes the > serpentine belts is still there, make decision surely I can make it > to dealer 20 miles away, shut everything electrical off, that or stop > car on highway and deal with it. Nah lets assume the alternator isn't > working, should have enough amps to get there. > > Let's see ABS light comes on, SRS light, ASD light, wipers quit, > lights go dim... Still runs tho, I wonder is that diesel lift pump is > mechanical or electric? > 5 miles to go, starts to rain. I'm toast, wiper won't function, find > a nice large parking lot to pull into and arrange car for towing. > > Wait an hour for tow truck etc... If it' hadn't started to rain I > would have made the dealer, in thinking back it must be the glow plug > relay stuck pulling more > amps than what the 65Amp alternator could deal with and sucked > everything dry within 30 minutes, should have thought of that and > pulled the glowplug > connector, sigh... > > PS well I might have stopped once I started to enter the city it was > unclear how bright (not) the brake lights were. Still it appears you > can run a w124 diesel a long way with faulty electrical system. > > > John > 1983 300TDt 358k Kilometers (mobil 1 Delvac) > 1990 300TDt 154k Kilometers (mobil 1 Delvac) > 1993 500SEL 168k Kilometers (mobil 1 0w40)
