E280 W124 Indicator wiper stalk switch danger

[DAVY1]

Just thought I'd warn people about an incident I had with my e class 280, it's a 1994 model w124. While driving in rain with the wipers on I could smell burning, not being able to locate the source I continued on my journey. When using the indicators to make a turning the stalk was found to be very hot, in fact hot enough to cause injury. The fuse did blow eventually but after the stalk unit was scalding hot.
I have obtained a replacement switch/stalk and replaced it. The strange thing is that the wiper switch had given no problems in the past, and all worked perfectly prior to this event.

Be warned if you smell burning check the wiper control..'' carefully of course ''

 

[benzboy280]

e280 indicators

Hi
you know what this happened tome well, in a different manner, sometimes my indicators work sometimes not, I think it is all linked to the rear window demister as when they indicators do not work nor does the demister so if i tap the area underneath the drivers side air heater vents the indicators start to ork but this does not work all the time! do I need to change the whole stalk!!! can someone adviise please W124

 

[benzboy280]

help on indicator problems W124

 

[Bolide]

Just change the stalk. It's not a DIY job unless you have a torx driver to remove the airbag and air tools to remove the centre bolt in the steering wheel

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[television]

If you do it your self, disconnect battery and wait 15 mins, remove air bag by taking out the two torx screws from behind the wheel, lay bag face down out of the sun, remove steering wheel. Do not use steering lock to hold the wheel still, hold the wheel

 

[DAVY1]

Hi, the harness plug for the indicator/wiper stalk is to the right of the steering column below the heater vent area, maybe your plug connections need cleaning. You can get at it after removing the dash base cover.

 

[Bolide]

Hi, the harness plug for the indicator/wiper stalk is to the right of the steering column below the heater vent area, maybe your plug connections need cleaning. You can get at it after removing the dash base cover.

And this makes testing a new multifunction switch really easy. If you suspect the MF switch - particularly if you have intermittent intermittent wipers - plug a spare MF switch in here to test. That way the airbag only comes off when necessary

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[paulpenny6]

HiI have just had the same problem, fuse kept blowing so took wiper assembly out and greased it up, now works fine but then stalk became very hot and slowly all wiper speeds failed leaving only wash wipe functional. I changed relay no change so now plan to change stalk switch. Ther is a useful youtube video on steering wheel removal and I assume that once off the stalk can be accessed. Will however check function prior to wheel removal