New to ME '81 300TD

[godowning]

Just got back from picking up my 1981 300TD w/ 110K miles. Drove straight thru from Indianapolis to Albany, NY. I will add a pic of the car as soon as I can. I now own a 123 after 8 year absence. VERY happy!

Had 2 things happen on the drive back. The cruise worked great until half way and then it just stopped like I had hit the brakes. Turns out the speedometer and the odometer stopped working at the same time. Any ideas as to cause? The other probelm was that the head lights (along with the instrument lights) fluctuated in intensity every few minutes. Any ideas? thanks in advance!

[Maxbumpo]

The CC needs a speed signal from speedometer; if that has failed, then CC cannot work. Figure out cause of failure of speedometer and correct, and CC will probably begin working again. :D

[pch2021]

speedo cable.

[godowning]

I checked the speedo cable and was surprised that it is electric versus mechanical as i expected. was this particular to the 81 300TD? Would that change the prognosis that the speedo cable is bad? thx!

[Maxbumpo]

Electric speedo = no cable. Transmitter in tail of transmission, wires from there to speedo.

Have you checked the fuses? Cheap insurance would be to replace them all on principle, any original fuses are very flaky by now.

[godowning]

I replaced all of the fuses yesterday and it did not correct the speedometer/odometer/cruise control problem. Thanks!