Greetings all. My '75 164e has just developed an odd problem: about two minutes after a cold startup, while driving, it loses all electrical power for between two and 20 seconds. Power then returns and the car is fine. I mean COMPLETE chassis electrical failure, no power whatsoever to anything, including items that should function with the key off (lights, hazard flashers, etc.). It seems to recover faster if I'm under way when it goes. If I am at a stop, it takes somewhat longer to come back.

When power returns, there is loud CLICK from the dash, possibly from behind the instrument cluster.

Coincidentally or not, just a few days ago I cleaned all the contacts in the fuse box and put on a thin coat of dialectric grease. I did the same to the relays under the hood, and I also cleaned my battery posts and cables, as well as the ground connection.

Maybe I am having a brain blockage here, but I can't think of any component that routes all of the chassis power, and which could also click like a relay.

Cheers

Steve
'75 164e
'70 142s
'87 745t