A140 parking lights randomly turn on and off

[pcdj]

We've recently bought a 54 plate A140 and have had some issues with it.

Every time we leave the car, upon removing the key from the ignition a beeping noise starts which stops upon closing the door. In our other cars this usually happens if the lights have been left on, but this isn't the case.

Which brings me on to my next point - very randomly, and usually only late at night (which brings me to believe it might be due to condensation) the parking lights will come on and will stay on until well into the morning if unnoticed. Sometimes it just takes a flick of the light switch to on and back to off to turn them off, but they usually just light up again. It's always the passenger's side lights too, rather than the driver's side.

I've tried checking the fuse and reseating it, which seemed to help for a while (although if it's weather related it may be due to that), but this week it has started up again and the lights have come on every night.

Can anyone suggest how to resolve this?

 

[mattkh]

hi
How odd.
Sound like a dodgy headlamp switch.

 

[whitenemesis]

Could this be related to the multi function stalk?

You mention its always the passenger side that lights, could be a dirty contact in the indicator switch?

 

[pcdj]

I've had someone else suggest the light switch on another forum so i'm tempted to try this route - there's a second hand switch going on ebay at the moment but it's £60(!) Any idea whether this is a reasonable price to pay and how difficult these are to swap?

Also i'm not sure which 'multi function stalk' whitenemesis is referring to - how could i diagnose this? And any suggestions as to which contacts to clean would be great too... the battery was completely dead this morning!

 

[whitenemesis]

The indicator stalk is ~£57 new. I think £60 for a light switch is probably reasonable

 

[dustcap]

hi

ive just bought an a140 for the girlfriend and have a few problems with it being stuck in limp home mode (30mph top speed!!!)

anyway, i was reading and may have the simple answer to your problem.

although i may be wrong but worth giving it a go;;;;

on vauxhalls, if you put your indicator stalk down for left indicstor, when the keys are out the ignition, it will put the left hand parking lamps on the front and rear, likewise, if you leave the indicator stalk in the up position for a right turn when the key is out the ignition, it will turn on the right hand side parking lamps front and rear.

this happens on vauxhalls/opel/ dont know if it applies to the mb, but it wont cost you anything to try it.
to keep the parking lights off, leave the indicator switch stalk in the off pisition.

please get back to me and let me know if i am correct on this, it has me curious.

cant try it tonight as the a140 car isnt at mine.
cheers

 

[Cole@MBS]

The switch pack was at fault with these things, changed a few in my time, as for your reply Dustcap, the switch has its own left and right switch for the parking lights,

 

[jibcl500]

I've had someone else suggest the light switch on another forum so i'm tempted to try this route - there's a second hand switch going on ebay at the moment but it's £60(!) Any idea whether this is a reasonable price to pay and how difficult these are to swap?

Also i'm not sure which 'multi function stalk' whitenemesis is referring to - how could i diagnose this? And any suggestions as to which contacts to clean would be great too... the battery was completely dead this morning!

I have one for sale at £25.00
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....92488328&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT#ht_500wt_876

jib