190e rear lights flash like they know it's Christmas!

[leicesterboy15]

Hi

HELP!

My rear lights are flickering like theres a bad earth. When the headlights are on and I press the brake, the lights randomly light up. When I put one indicator on, they flash randomly. If I do all this and brake as well, all the lights flash on and off (including the number plate lights).

Its quite amusing but the police didn't think so and neither will the MOT station! Is this common (not seen any others like it)?

Anyone have any ides where I could start fault finding?? I have checked the bulbs and housing of the problem side but all looks ok. Could it be the relay? Will an auto electrician charge a fortune to fix this type of problem?

Any help would be greatly received.

Thanks

 

[sedstevo]

I had a similar problem on my last car. The problem was traced to a bad earth. It was a painstaking process, but I checked all earths to the body and cleaned the contacts. Eventually found the dirty contact, cleaned it and all was well. I do a lot of motorway miles, so dirt and salt get a chance to build up.

Regards

 

[leicesterboy15]

Thanks for the advice
Its a miracle!

Last week, when it rained heavily, the problem fixed itself! I had just been on a motorway run then drove through town (2 hour journey) and it was cured.

I am guessing that the bad earth was either cleaned by the rain spray or the moisture in the air now has improved the contact. Are there any earths that are in a position to be 'cleaned' by rain spray?

I also have a problem whereby when the engine is cold, and the car is idling or on part throttle, the car seems to misfire and jerk intermittently. This also seems to have disappeared at around the same time, I think they appeared around the same time as well, but I can't be sure. It seems a strange thing to be linked so I don't know if I am talking rubbish.

Well hopefully it stays fixed long enough for it to pass the MOT!