A Class - Indicator Light Flashing Double Speed

ian6166

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Dec 26, 2012
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A Class / 2009 / 1992
My parents are having a problem with their Mercedes A Class 180CDi (W169). It is one of those annoying problems that only happens occasionally but when you indicate to turn right occassionally the indicator light on the dash flashes at twice the normal speed however when you walk round the car all the indicators are working and flashing at the normal speed. I was going to take the car down to the local Mercedes dealer for them to connect it to their diagnostic equipment but before I did this I thought I would check if this was a known problem (with a hopefully simple solution!). Many thanks in advance for any assistance.
 

television

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2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
Not heard this on before :(
 

EmilysDad

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ML350
I'd make sure that all lamps were clean & making good contact and that the holders were making good contact with the track on the back of the light unit before I took it anywhere. Also, use good quality lamps rather than cheapo £1 shop type. :)
 

Ricardo_e220

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R170 SLK230k 1999
I would have them test all the indicator bulbs as double speed is/was a sign of a dud bulb, it could be one is either damp or failing, my wife had a duff rear light on hers which came back on on when tapped so could be similar.

Her 169 has an appetite for rear brake bulbs....
 

EmilysDad

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I would have them test all the ........

Sounds like you'd have given up at the first hurdle & taken the car to a main dealer to be charged £100+ per hour to do the spade work that you could easily do yourself ;) ;) ;)

Coincidently my rear nearside indicator came up with a warning this evening. Took the lamp out .... looked OK, holder was held in OK but still used the reverse light as a back up. Sod it! I'll look later. Fixed itself while I was walking the dog! :lol::lol:
 

Ricardo_e220

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R170 SLK230k 1999
Sounds like you'd have given up at the first hurdle & taken the car to a main dealer to be charged £100+ per hour to do the spade work that you could easily do yourself ;) ;) ;)

Coincidently my rear nearside indicator came up with a warning this evening. Took the lamp out .... looked OK, holder was held in OK but still used the reverse light as a back up. Sod it! I'll look later. Fixed itself while I was walking the dog! :lol::lol:

'Get them...' As in the op's parents not a stealer :p

Only frank spencer types and the infirm should use a stealer or half odds for such works willingly
 

alec2

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On most cars a fast flash indicats a failed lamp. A legal requirement!

However it can indicate a poor connection or the wrong bulb e.g. a 5W one instead of a 21w one.

Check that the bulbs are the correct wattage and that all lamps work including the one in the mirror.

Alec
 

EmilysDad

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ML350
On most cars a fast flash indicats a failed lamp. ....

CANbus must be a bit cleverer than that. When I had the failed rear indicator bulb message yesterday, the car used the reverse lamp for that side instead, but even though the tell-tale on the dash was flashing at double speed, the indicators themselves were flashing at the correct rate. ;)
 

michael8664

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Wiltshire UK
Your Mercedes
2005 ML 270CDI W163 Auto, 2002 A160 Auto W168
My car did this recently.
I stopped at the side of the road and asked this hoody who was passing by,
"are my indicators working?"
He replied,
"yes they are, no they're not, yes they are, no they're not......"
Happy New Year
Michael
 

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