Electrics problem

[tiswas]

Morning guys,

Noticed recently that there is occasional delay in the morning after setting off for radio to come on. This morning it was fully 5 mins and I also had no indicators, wipers, and heated seats. Then all suddenly came on together as if the end of a power cut.

The only possible link that I can think of is that during the snow of a couple of months back my wipers came on by mistake and hit the snow on the windscreen and temp jammed. Could this be the cause of my problem and what should I be doing to put it right?

Thanks Rob

1999 280 SL and know nothing about cars! 8

 

[television]

I am 99% sure that this will be the ignition switch at fault. The fact that the radio is also delayed proves the point. Pressure on they key either in or out and sideway could further show this to be the fault.

Malcolm

 

[lackofgrip]

yeah sounds like a worn ignition barrel to me, this happened on my rover after 35000 but then again it was a rover!

 

[tiswas]

Wow, ignition barrel, never crossed my mind. Any links that I can look at to understand how this comes about? To a dumbie like me the ignition just turns the engine on!

I suppose that is another expensive job, can anyone rec someone in the Watford area that might do the job?

Thanks again.

Rob

 

[Hibbo]

All the things you mentioned are switched on via the ignition barrel, just like any other switch it can go bad.

It shouldn't be a big job to replace the barrel, not sure about coding and whatnot though.

 

[television]

As Hibbo says,switches can go bad,its basically a 124 switch with a lot more loading on it. the same one went on my 99 SL.
The definite clue was the radio,had you not mentioned that,then it could have been the N10 multi relay.
The under panel needs to be removed and the ring around the switch unscrewed
and the switch section can be replaced. you keep the key part.




Malcolm

 

[sixpack]

ig switch

Hi tiswas,

I had an almost identical problem on a 1995 C250 (202 body). The electrical plug on the back of the ignition switch had worked loose. Easy to fix, just drop the lower cowl panel and push the plug upwards towards you. If not, yes possibly faulty switch.

Peter

 

[tiswas]

Thanks once again for all the replies guys.

One last question, is it relevent that it only happens first thing in the morning? Once things come back on they remain on for the rest of the day, no matter how many times I stop and start the car.

 

[Hibbo]

I have a niggly electrical fault on my car that only manifests itself when the car is warm. I think the slightest expansion/movement due to heat can cause a fault to (dis)appear.

 

[eric242340]

The fact that it only happens on first start throws me out a little. In other words it only happens when cold. In my experience, and I might be wrong, electrical problems normally happen when hot. Ignition switch is a definate candidate for this problem. But im a little suprised at the cold bit. I would have a diagnostic test done first. Ignition switches are expensive and it may not solve the problem.

 

[television]

The fact that it only happens on first start throws me out a little. In other words it only happens when cold. In my experience, and I might be wrong, electrical problems normally happen when hot. Ignition switch is a definate candidate for this problem. But im a little suprised at the cold bit. I would have a diagnostic test done first. Ignition switches are expensive and it may not solve the problem.

For one thing you cannot get a diagnostic check for this fault. since many 124 switches fail eric,and having no 124s in china you would not know this.

It is the same switch that is used on the 129 but with much more loading.
the ignition part never fails only the aux part, or in your language the key 1 & 2 accessories.

Why does it cure its self after 5 mins, many reasons, the heat from the ignition contacts giving expansion, small currents flowing in the arc condition can then make contact. we have all picked up a torch where the thing turns on one day and not the next.

Lets put it another way for you eric, I know of at least 50 cars where this has been the fix, and I do not know of any other fix, right at the start I said that it was only the radio that gave it away, as all of the other components are in the N10

Malcolm

 

[eric242340]

Your points are noted and as said before we have no 124 models here. So i will wait and see. But im sure you understand my post, being from an electronics background yourself.

 

[television]

Your points are noted and as said before we have no 124 models here. So i will wait and see. But im sure you understand my post, being from an electronics background yourself.

I think that your points would be better if you came up with something constructive as to what any alternative fault could be.

Malcolm

 

[eric242340]

I think that your points would be better if you came up with something constructive as to what any alternative fault could be.

Malcolm

On this one I dont have a constructive alternative. And thats why I said your points are noted. I was not being sarcastic Malcolm. Purley im a little lost on this one.

 

[television]

On this one I dont have a constructive alternative. And thats why I said your points are noted. I was not being sarcastic Malcolm. Purley im a little lost on this one.

Its basics and no more than that, and could not be more simple.

We know that 12volts is going to the switch as the car starts, the radio as all of the other things come from the switch but they do not work.

So we could your way and say that the wipers, blinkers, heated window and radio all have separate intermittent faults that all fix themselves in 5 mins.

You can question everyone of my post till the cows come home. I make good money by quick accurate assessment and by using the most basic fundamental rules.

Malcolm

 

[tiswas]

Hi again all,

You will recall my above problem, well what with Easter and what have you I have only this morning received a quote from Mercedes for the work. The problem has also seemed to have gone away, for now, which I put down to Malcolm's comments about heat allowing the circuit to work, I assume it is the warmer weather. Currently no problem although on a cold damp morning a couple of weeks ago it took fully 5 minutes or more to come back on.


Anyhow, wait for this. The quote is £59.02 inc vat for the ignition switch and £465.30 inc vat for the labour!!!! Their charge rate is £125 per hour.

Can that be right?

Regards

 

[television]

Sorry I had not got around to answering the PM.

Something wrong here, the switch is £125 ish and fairly easy to fit, I think they have the price and labour reversed and have quoted for a EIS 210 switch.

The switch section comes on its own,and you keep the original barrel and key

 

[tiswas]

Hi Malcolm

It was £465 for the labour, £125 was the hourly rate so cannot be a straightforward reversal. I will query the switch price with them, it is a 124 switch that we are talking about?

Thanks again

Rob

 

[television]

It is the same as a 124 but obviously for the 129 the pic shows it as item 10 that just plugs in. At least 4 129 owners have changed the switch including the one that I had.

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GA=722.624&CT=F&cat=44F&SID=46&SGR=105&SGN=05