Rear lights flickering on S280

[krafiq]

Can anyone offer help on this problem. All of the rear lights on my S280 (X-Reg / 2000 model) remain on most of the time, even when the the car is switched off. When driving, the indicators cause the rear lights to flicker like disco lights. From time to time, the problem disappears, but not for long. The computer simply tells me to check the bulbs, but all bulbs, fuses conections, etc seem fine. There doesn't seem to be any water in the electrics problem either. The front lights are fine. I am left scratching my head!

 

[dragon]

Use a carsoft or star to diagnose the instrument cluster.

 

[krafiq]

Thank you, but can you please elabourate as I am not very technical - what do you mean by carsoft or star and instrument cluster?

 

[Stu_CDX]

Before getting technical, do the old fashioned things!

Get some WD40 and kitchen towel, remove all the bulbs and spray a good amount of WD40 onto the rag. Then, proceed to clean up all of the bulb holders. Next, unplug everything there is to unplug around the cluster (Relating to it of course!), and give all the plugs a good squirt of WD40. Dry surrounding areas with the rag.

In theory, just removing the connections and remaking them could fix the problem...

But the WD40 just ensures that any moisture that could be lurking, is sent packing.

Hope this helps.

 

[dragon]

Thank you, but can you please elabourate as I am not very technical - what do you mean by carsoft or star and instrument cluster?

You need a diagnosis tool call Carsoft or MB STAR 2008 and plug into your car to pin point and tell you what wrong with your car.

 

[dragon]

Thank you, but can you please elabourate as I am not very technical - what do you mean by carsoft or star and instrument cluster?

You need a diagnosis tool call Carsoft or MB STAR 2008 and plug into your car to pin point and tell you what wrong with your car.

If you dont have one, get someone one to do it for you and pay them or go to Merc dealer.

 

[krafiq]

Thank you. That has already been done, but there is no fault registered! Any other thoughts?

 

[television]

I wish that people did not answer if they do not know the cars :----(

There is a fault where water can enter the rear lamps, and we have had plenty of rain of late,, this can damage one of the SAM units in the car. This is nothing to do with cleaning bulbs, carsft or anything else.

What you need to do sir ,is to find a good indie with the STAR diagnostic kit to locate the faulty SAM

Let us know where you are and maybe we can direct you to one

 

[krafiq]

Thank you. I am in Darlington. Is there a problem with the guttering or seals in my car that allowed this to happen?:-?

 

[television]

Thank you. I am in Darlington. Is there a problem with the guttering or seals in my car that allowed this to happen?:-?

Yes one removes the lamps and seals them.. I can let you have a paper on this.In the mean time is there any way that you can see if any water has got into them,

See who we can find in Darlington

 

[krafiq]

Malcolm, appreciate your help. Would the faulty SAM unit cause the problem to be permanent, rather than intermittently? It doesn't look like there is any water in the rear lights.

 

[television]

All of the lights are wired via the SAM's there is little else on the car that could just turn on the rear lamps only.

I have just had this on my SL 230 the headlamps would sometimes come on when parked, by turning the lamps off and on would send the fault away.

The search I did was for cars up to 2000,,if you can give me the next 3 numbers of your VIN after 220 I can do an exact search

 

[krafiq]

Malcolm, the three digits after the 220 on the VIN are: 063. Any Ideas as to the costs involved?

 

[colechelle]

Seen the same fault on a cl500, rear sam swimming!!! look under the rear seat on the o/s, theres a panel, somrtimes got a light in it, remove and see if the sams wet!