central locking problem, courtesy lights, fast indicators

[mikekent]

recently bought a 1998 e240 and am very pleased with it apart from a few electrical niggles. i don't know if these are related but the symtoms are as follows:

1) remote central locking will only lock the drivers door, sometimes if i press the button again a number of times it will slowly lock the passenger side front door but no others. the vacuum pump only clicks (does not turn) when trying to lock the doors from the remote. pressing the interior button on the dash (to open / lock doors) does nothing at all (neither does pressing the knobs down on the doors - apart from locking that door).

2) opening the doors does not activate any of the courtesy lights (and i have tried the switch for this - on the overhead panel in both positions). i know there is a big time delay.

3) the direction indicators (both sides) flash very quickly - no bulbs are blown! however the hazards flash at normal speed - very odd! is there a different relay for the hazards / indicators?


any help v much app :appreciated

 

[goddy]

Re: central locking problem, etc.

I had a similar problem. What I did (on advice obtained from colleagues on this web site) was to synch my fob. To do this, if your fob batteries are not new, change them (should cost you about £5 from a stealership), get into the car and press the lock/open buttons on the fob 3 times; put the key in the ignition and turn it to position 2, then switch off the ignition. The led light on the mirror or dash (in some cars the inner lights) would flash.
If that does not correct your problem, check the earth wire in the engine area. In my own case (a MB C180) I discovered that the earth wire was neatly severed (probably by the stealership who had earlier collected £270 to solve the problem but failed) and since I recnnected it the car has beeen superb. If your earth wire is severed, join it to the connection point or tighten it if it is loose. Good luck.

 

[dogsbody]

Central locking problem,courtesy lights, fast indicators

I think that you are looking at a bad earth somewhere.. I have had similar problems on other cars, and the fast flashing of the indicator, normally happens when a bulb is blown so reducing the resistance in the circuit. In your situation the best bet is to get a spare length of wire, earth it at the battery -ve post, and touch round the negative spade connectors, with the indicators flashing fast - once they return to normal mode you know that there is a high resistance connection on that particular spade - dont touch 12 volt live spades, make sure they are negative earths!