C180 Coupe (2001) multiple light faults

[southernmanc]

I have a C180 Coupe (2001) which has in the past had random faults showing 'check lamp' for the rear lights. The next day it would disappear. However, recently it showed a fault for the rear left indicator, then the rear left reverse light, quickly followed by the rear right tail light and fog light, 3rd brake light, and rear license plate lights. I have checked the bulbs and they were fine, I even replaced most of them to be sure. However, the fault is still showing and they don't work. the strange thing is that when I unlock the car and it flashes the hazards, the rear left indicator flashes! What the heck is wrong, and how much will it cost to fix?

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

It could be worthwhile cleaning the connections to the rear lights as well as cleaning the bulb holders.

 

[television]

A poor ground lead (earth connection) will give strange unrelated faults, under these conditions other lamps will ground through other lamps .hence your indicator lamp flashing.

Malcolm

 

[southernmanc]

Hi

Thanks for the quick feedback guys. I will give the connections a clean up today, but it seems far too coincidental that seven lights and their connections would go bust at the same time. Having looked at some other forums I have seen similar problems and suggestions relating to connections, dying batteries, and a malfunctioning SAM (whatever one of those is). Would a visit to an auto electrician be the best bet for diagnosing the problem? I am a bit loathe to take it to a Mercedes garage as I have had some poor and rather expensive experiences with them in the past!

Cheers

 

[television]

Hi

Thanks for the quick feedback guys. I will give the connections a clean up today, but it seems far too coincidental that seven lights and their connections would go bust at the same time. Having looked at some other forums I have seen similar problems and suggestions relating to connections, dying batteries, and a malfunctioning SAM (whatever one of those is). Would a visit to an auto electrician be the best bet for diagnosing the problem? I am a bit loathe to take it to a Mercedes garage as I have had some poor and rather expensive experiences with them in the past!

Cheers

Only 1 wire grounds all of the rear end lights, run a wire from ground to any of the lamps,that is the ouside part of the baynet cap,not the center.

Malcolm

 

[southernmanc]

Malcolm

Thanks. Unfortunately, I am a bit of a novice and don't have a clue what I'm doing! Would it be best left for an auto electrician to do or is it simple enough for anyone to have a crack at? What exactly would I need to do?

Cheers

 

[Ultymate]

I agree with Malcolm it looks like a faulty earth here and it's probably in the rear of your car as all the faulty lamps are listed as in the rear your looking for an earth point in the rear of your car ie a bolt or screw with one or more usually several "brown" earth leads to it. It will be either loose or corroded so clean or tighten it or them up and hopefully you should be in buisness

 

[southernmanc]

Cheers guys. Hopefully you have just saved me a fortune! If you don't hear from me again it will be good news!