1994 C180 - strange flashing lights

[mad hatter]

Hello, all. This is my first posting - please be gentle with me. Serioulsy, I'm useless with spanners etc.

Here's the problem: Sometimes, when I start the car, the heater control lights flash continuously. During the time they are flashing, I can't operate the button which closes the vents and recirculates air in the car - a major problem when driving through the Rotherhithe Tunnel at rush hour, which I do often. Also, I can't regulate the temperature while these lights are flashing, it's just hot all the time. When I switch the headlamps on, the flashing stops but the lights go out. Sometimes I notice they've come on of their own accord. When I adjust the brightness of the instrument lights, the clock & mileometer lights flash as well.

It may or may not be related but the needles on all the instruments, apart from the fuel gauge, often don't work at first, or work intermittently. This started happening after I'd driven down the M4 quite fast.

I've seen similar problems on the forum before but I'm not sure they were sorted out.


This is my first post, by the way. I hope to get to know you all in due course.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[jberks]

Phil,
to be fair, I can't think of an easy fix for this issue. It is clearly electrical, possibly the OVP relay but its hard to say and as you say you're not a spanner twirler, this may not be the best diy task to start with. I'd suggest finding a proper local indy MB specialist to give it the once over.

 

[mad hatter]

Thanks, jberks. I suspected it'd be one for the professionals. If no-one can think of a DIY solution, I'll mention it at the next service.
Phil