This comprehensive 1981 Mercedes W126 SE Service and Repair Manual provides detailed instructions and diagrams to guide you through every aspect of maintaining, servicing, diagnosing, and repairing your vehicle. This manual is the same one used by technicians at Mercedes dealerships, ensuring you receive the most accurate and up-to-date information. It includes step-by-step instructions, illustrations, wiring schematics, and specifications, making repairs easy and accessible.

The manual covers a vast array of topics, including:

* **Maintenance:** Regular maintenance schedules, fluid checks, and preventative measures to keep your vehicle in optimal condition.
* **Engine:** Detailed information on engine components, troubleshooting, repair procedures, and performance tuning.
* **Control System:** Diagnosis and repair procedures for electronic control systems, including fuel injection, ignition, and emissions.
* **Mechanical:** Comprehensive coverage of mechanical systems such as the transmission, suspension, brakes, steering, and drivetrain.
* **Fuel Service Specifications:** Technical specifications for fuel systems, including fuel lines, pumps, injectors, and filters.
* **Emission Control:** Information on emission control systems and how to maintain and diagnose them.
* **Intake Exhaust Cooling:** Detailed information on the intake and exhaust systems, including cooling components.
* **Lube:** Guidance on lubrication requirements for various components, including engine oil, transmission fluid, and grease.
* **Ignition Starting Charging:** Diagnosis and repair of ignition, starting, and charging systems.
* **Auto Transmission Clutch:** Detailed information on automatic transmissions, including clutch systems and troubleshooting.
* **Manual Transmission:** Coverage of manual transmissions, including gearboxes, clutches, and shifting mechanisms.
* **Transfer Propeller Shaft:** Detailed information on the transfer case and propeller shaft.
* **Drive Shaft:** Diagnosis and repair procedures for drive shafts, including universal joints.
* **Differential:** Information on differential components and repair procedures.
* **Axle Suspension:** Details on axle and suspension components, including troubleshooting and repair.
* **Tire & Wheel:** Guidance on tire and wheel maintenance, including balancing, alignment, and repair.
* **Brake Control:** Diagnosis and repair of brake control systems, including ABS and traction control.
* **Brake:** Detailed instructions on brake systems, including calipers, rotors, pads, and drums.
* **Parking Brake:** Information on parking brake systems and their maintenance.
* **Steering Column:** Diagnosis and repair of the steering column, including steering wheel and components.
* **Power Steering:** Information on power steering systems and their maintenance.
* **Air Condition:** Detailed coverage of air conditioning systems, including refrigerant charging, troubleshooting, and repair.
* **Suppl Restraint System:** Guidance on supplemental restraint systems, including airbags and seatbelts.
* **Seat Belt:** Maintenance and repair procedures for seatbelts.
* **Engine Immobilizer:** Diagnosis and repair of engine immobilizer systems.
* **Cruise Control:** Information on cruise control systems and their maintenance.
* **Wiper & Washer:** Details on wiper and washer systems, including motor replacement and troubleshooting.
* **Door Lock:** Diagnosis and repair of door locks and locking mechanisms.
* **Meter Audio/Visual:** Information on instrument panels, gauges, and audio-visual systems.
* **Horn:** Diagnosis and repair of horn systems.
* **Windshield/Glass Mirror:** Guidance on windshield and glass replacement, as well as mirror adjustments.
* **Instrument Panel:** Information on instrument panels and their components.
* **Seat:** Details on seat components, adjustment, and repair.
* **Engine Hood/ Door:** Detailed information on the engine hood and doors, including latch mechanisms and repair.
* **Exterior & Interior:** Guidance on maintaining and repairing the exterior and interior of the vehicle.
* **Electrical:** Comprehensive coverage of electrical systems, including wiring diagrams, troubleshooting, and repair.
* **Multiplex/ Can Communication:** Information on multiplex and CAN communication systems.

With this comprehensive manual, you'll have the resources you need to confidently perform a wide range of repairs and maintenance tasks on your 1981 Mercedes W126 SE.

The 1981 Mercedes-Benz W126 SE, a true icon of German engineering, represents the epitome of luxury and performance in the automotive world. This generation of the S-Class, a flagship model for Mercedes-Benz, introduced a new era of refinement and sophistication. The W126 was characterized by its timeless design, featuring a sleek and elegant body with sharp lines and a distinctive grille. Its spacious interior, appointed with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, offered unparalleled comfort and luxury. The SE trim level, short for "Sonderklasse Extra," denoted the most luxurious version of the W126, equipped with features like power windows, leather upholstery, and a comprehensive array of technological advancements for its time.

Underneath the elegant exterior, the 1981 W126 SE boasted a powerful and dependable engine, typically a fuel-injected 3.8-liter V8 or a 5.0-liter V8, providing ample power and smooth acceleration. The car's robust construction, rigid chassis, and sophisticated suspension system ensured a comfortable and composed ride, even on rough roads. The W126 SE was also praised for its exceptional safety features, including crumple zones, anti-lock brakes, and a spacious cabin, making it one of the safest cars of its era. The 1981 Mercedes-Benz W126 SE represented a pinnacle of automotive engineering, seamlessly blending luxury, performance, and safety into a timeless masterpiece that has left a lasting legacy in the automotive world.