Rear indicator fault after battery change

[jacko028]

Hello , I replaced the battery on my W211 2005 estate last week and now I am having problems with the drivers side indicator which is fast flashing and a message on the dash tells me it’s using a back up bulb . My mechanic who is not a Merc specialist cannot understand what the problem is because if you change the bulb it makes no difference . He’s told me to buy a new tail light ( which I kind of need anyway as it was smashed 3 years ago and I’ve just put tape over which has got me through MOT’s !! ) however I don’t think this is the problem . It’s got to be an electrics fault . Can anybody help ? Thank you

 

[Blobcat]

Check the Earth contacts on the bulb holder and into the loom, they have a tendency to corrode.

 

[jacko028]

Check the Earth contacts on the bulb holder and into the loom, they have a tendency to corrode.

Thank you , I will , but it’s strange that it happened directly after a battery change ( changed from a genuine Merc battery to one half the price from GSF car parts ) . Just spoken on the phone to a Merc specialist and they said it could be caused by changing battery to a non genuine part . Have you heard of issues like this happening before ?

 

[ajlsl600]

Don't think batt make an be issue. But merc making us use mb specific batt wud not surprise me, effecting only one indicator makes that somewhat unlikely, as above check ur earth's

 

[Blobcat]

Thank you , I will , but it’s strange that it happened directly after a battery change ( changed from a genuine Merc battery to one half the price from GSF car parts ) . Just spoken on the phone to a Merc specialist and they said it could be caused by changing battery to a non genuine part . Have you heard of issues like this happening before ?

Poor quality batteries can cause issues, so I’d not discount it.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Sam models are quite sensitive to voltage spikes that occur whilst changing batteries. The rear SAM drives all the bulbs etc at the back.

Do check all the wiring, and connectors for any fault that may just be coincidence

 

[jacko028]

Sam models are quite sensitive to voltage spikes that occur whilst changing batteries. The rear SAM drives all the bulbs etc at the back.

Do check all the wiring, and connectors for any fault that may just be coincidence

I’ve now discovered that the radio isn’t working ( must have also happened since the battery change ) ….its completely dead , not lighting up at all .

 

[DSK]

Sam models are quite sensitive to voltage spikes that occur whilst changing batteries. The rear SAM drives all the bulbs etc at the back.

Do check all the wiring, and connectors for any fault that may just be coincidence

Just on this specific bit about battery changes, as daft as it sounds, provided a decent battery like Bosch/varta is used, is there a knack/tip to it other than, when disconnecting its negative then positive, and the reverse for the install? Is there a time in which it should be done etc?


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[DSK]

OP - what battery did you buy and fit? Also did you check it’s state upon purchase prior to fitting?


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[jacko028]

OP - what battery did you buy and fit? Also did you check it’s state upon purchase prior to fitting?


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I was a bit desperate last week and went to nearest place which happened to be GSF and just asked for a battery to fit !! So they supplied me with a Drivetec 019 part no DRBDM019 ( non start stop ) . The last battery that was fitted was a genuine Merc one .

 

[jacko028]

Having done some research I’m thinking I need to change the rear fuse SAM box …..what are your thoughts on this ?

 

[DSK]

Not heard of drivetec myself but, Bosch and Varta are the only ones recommended around here.

I’ve always fitted a Bosch S5 to my CLS which, is similar to your car, costs £123/130 from Tayna Batteries. No issues.


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[mioba]

Drivetec are by means the best. GSF would have got you a decent battery a few hours later if not on shelf

 

[mioba]

Having done some research I’m thinking I need to change the rear fuse SAM box …..what are your thoughts on this ?

Unlikely - waste of money

 

[mioba]

Of your lights been taped up then be looking for moisture ingress.
As said it needs a new one anyway

 

[jacko028]

Drivetec are by means the best. GSF would have got you a decent battery a few hours later if not on shelf

Do you mean drivetec are by no means the best ….? Sorry don’t understand . I just asked for a battery and this is the one they recommended . In hindsight which is a wonderful thing , I wish I’d paid more money and bought a Merc one …but as i intended to sell the car this year I thought id economise ….which has had the reverse effect because now I have a car with a faulty indicator and I couldn’t sell it like that , so it now has to be fixed ….and at present I’m stumped on how to do it . Why are you convinced that changing the SAM module is a waste of time ? Could something not have blown when the battery was changed ?

 

[mioba]

Of your lights been taped up then be looking for moisture ingress.
As said it needs a new one anyway

Sorry typo. Indeed no means the best

 

[mioba]

Have you had the codes read on the car to determine if its a SAM unit.
Its v unlikely a failed SAM will cause a single bulb in the rear cluster to fail.

 

[jacko028]

Hi , I’ve had an awful thought …so when I went and got the battery from GSF I needed it fitting and there were two lads outside fitting a battery on their car so I asked them if they could put my battery on , as they had the tools . I had originally been heading to Halfords but the traffic was bad and this was nearer . Anway they did fit the battery and I’m now wondering if they fitted it the wrong way initially …I know there was some messing around .i have an awful feeling that’s what happened ….which means things could have blown ? ( I’m no expert but just from reading online ) this would explain radio and rear drivers side indicator no longer working ? Plus one of the windows is now not working , it will not open with one flick you have to hold it down to fully open and close . This was the read out
How I wish I’d not been in such a hurry and made some stupid decisions !

 

[DSK]

I’ve read that there is a reset that has to be done in some cases, to ensure things like windows works properly etc. Perhaps some fellow member can advise on that and see if that resolved the issues.


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