Faulty lights on A class

[klam]

Dear Members

I am a newbie to this forum so hope I get a response.

We have a year 2001 A class mercedes and we have two problems with it:-

Lights.

When we switch on headlamps on full, two clicks on light switch, full beam comes on without moving the indicator lever. If we move indicator lever as if to put full beam on or off, full beam stays on anyway and the blue full beam dashboard light is lit all the time ! CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM PLEASE ?

SRS light on dashboard

We have a red SRS light on dashboard on all the time. We took it to mercedes and they told us we had to replace whole steering wheel to solve problem at cost of around £300 + labour at some ridiculous hourly rate !!! Has anyone had any exxperience like this ? airbag has never been activated, used, touched, in entire time we have had car. We were flabbergasted that mercedes garage said it was out of warranty and so not responsible now !

Any comments on above would be highly appreciated.

rdgs

Klam

 

[landover]

faults

The problem is the main beam dip switch Replace it and that will solve your problem !. Was there not a recall on airbags on that model. I know there was with the C class that was after 4 years . Contact mercedes's customer services they are very helpfull.hope this helps.

 

[klam]

Landover reply

Thanks for this reply.

It is appreciated. Now I am searching web to find how to dismantle sterring column to get at switch. Any pointers you can give please.

I will defintely contact Mercedes about SRS bag as you suggested.

rdgs

 

[landover]

lights

No problem! Just remove couling round steering coloum this will give you access to switch unit . hope this helps.

 

[Richard Murray]

Airbag

Hi

Don't even think about dismantling the steering column. If you activate the airbag - you could injure or kill yourself. There's a detonator in there.

This is best left to the experts. I'm not suggesting your local MB dealer - but a Bosch electonics specialist or German Marques dealer will be able to assist.

I had something similar with my Audi 80 Avant TDi. Turned out to be something called Driver's Pill which is located under steering wheel.

Richard

 

[landover]

Re: Airbag

Hi

Don't even think about dismantling the steering column. If you activate the airbag - you could injure or kill yourself. There's a detonator in there.

This is best left to the experts. I'm not suggesting your local MB dealer - but a Bosch electonics specialist or German Marques dealer will be able to assist.

I had something similar with my Audi 80 Avant TDi. Turned out to be something called Driver's Pill which is located under steering wheel.

Richard

Are you a total prat or do you just contradict my posts.

I said

Remove the couling not the steering wheel.

This can be removed with no problem.

There is no detonator in there.

You are meant to help people not scare the **** out of them.

And remove that silly signature it makes you look like a tosser.

YOU DONT EVEN KNOW WHERE THE PLUGS ARE ON YOUR CAR AND YOU ARE IN HERE GIVEING ADVICE...... I DONT THINK SO.

 

[Richard Murray]

Do your research

Landover

Before launching a tirade of verbal abuse against me - I wish you'd given me the benefit of the doubt. When I replied to 'Klam' - your response hadn't been posted, otherwise I'd have agreed with your reply - 100%.

I was genuinely answering 'Klam's post regards dismantling, and I quote "...I am searching web to find how to dismantle steering column to get at switch. Any pointers you can give please?"

I wasn't trying to scare anyone. Anyone attempting to dismantle a steering column (which may involve removing the steering wheel) on a modern car runs the risk of being injured.

Mercedes use various explosive devices such as seat-belt pre-tensioners, airbags and even exploding hinges, which if accidently triggered as a result of dismantling could kill or injure. Simple as that. Are you also aware - it's not just a case of removing airbag fuses or cutting wires to deactivate. The electronic units often have back-up programmes to compensate so that deployment will work. The only safe way to deactivate the airbag is to log into the on-board computer and deactivate. Once the repair has been carried out it can be reactivated which means resetting the system, which isn't something your average Joe in the street is capable of. For more info - see link below.

http://www.automedia.com/driveSmart/dsm20040501es/dsm20040501es.htm

Now regards your other point - my wife has had her A-Class for over a year now. It's a bugger of an engine to work on - purely because it's compact. I'm more used to working on diesel injection units where there is easy access from all areas. I'm not a mechanic but I've completed everything from full brake dismantles, CV joints, gaskets to suspension renewal for over 10 years. The fact I couldn't find the sparks on it - isn't a hanging offence.

You obviously relish your role as an unelected site administrator passing judgement on anyone who may offer up a differing point of view.

I like my signature.

Gareth Hunt... (part-time actor or cockney rhyming slang), you decide.

Richard