Vito 115 electrical Gremlins

[Vito11506]

My 639 115 vito that I've had almost 3 year and been totally reliable has suddenly started playing up.
I parked it up for a couple of months and the battery went flat. Recharged it and the van starts and runs fine except that it's showing 7 malfunctions.
Emergency lighting activated,battery/alternator warning and various other lighting problems. Took it to auto electrician and he didn't want to know.
Took it to mercedes who put it on star and told me exactly what it says on dash display and could not tell me what's causing it but would start investigating at £102 a hour.
Can't afford that so has anyone a clue what could suddenly cause all these problems to suddenly start??

Thanks in advance.

 

[spud murphy]

Hiya

Check battery volts after engine has been off for a good while.

Start engine and check again, showing an increase?

I.E 11.9 Volts before start, 13.75-14 odd volts after start?

If so alternator is charging and 'fault' lies further in, if not after a prolonged lay up it's possible that alternator has packed up, usually slip rings that bind to and crack brushes if muck/tarnish have taken hold between slip ring and brush set.
First start knacks them as the alternator spins after its prolonged rest when everything binds into place.
Was it laid up outside?

Also check that any secondary cables that were attached to the main positive clamp on the battery were not disturbed or loosened when removing the battery for its recharge

Don't rule out the battery being duff, a prolonged discharge will kill the chemistry between acid and plates as they silt up, try a substitute before buying to rule this out, may well start if shortly off a mains charge but if a cell is shorted this will throw the charging circuit into a wobbly on the van

 

[Vito11506]

Cheers for the advice,
I did take it to a auto electrician before mercedes and he checked the charging system and it was something like 14.4 volts so it is charging so I will change the battery tomorrow to see if that cures the problem.

 

[Vito11506]

Battery changed and all problems still exist.
Other problems is that all indicators work but flash fast when used and the washers pulse when used.
Does anyone know if it's likely to be a Sam problem or a wording fault?

Anyone know the cost of a Sam and could it be fitted without reconnecting to star??

Thanks.

 

[Vito11506]

It was the sam unit all along.
Why mercedes didn't tell me that when they plugged it into star and over £100 for the pleasure I'll never know.