Blinker (signal) arm problem
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 48
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2003 C240
Blinker (signal) arm problem
So this past weekend, i noticed that my left turn signal will not stay down when I try to engage it. let me try to explain better, When i plan to make a left turn, and push the arm down, it does not stay in place. using the right turn signal works fine.
Has anyone had this problem? If so, is it an easy fix? (wishful thinking)
Thanks!
Has anyone had this problem? If so, is it an easy fix? (wishful thinking)
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
2003 C240
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
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From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
You'll have to replace the 'combination switch'.
- Disconnect the battery (carefully).
- Remove the airbag in the steering wheel.
- remove the combination switch
- put back everything in reverse order
- connect the battery (do not connect the battery or put the key in the ignition while the airbag is disconnected. You will get SRS light.
- Disconnect the battery (carefully).
- Remove the airbag in the steering wheel.
- remove the combination switch
- put back everything in reverse order
- connect the battery (do not connect the battery or put the key in the ignition while the airbag is disconnected. You will get SRS light.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 296
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From: FLORIDA
2003 C240
I have the same problem...I have the replacement part but haven't found the time to do it...but it definitely needs replacing.
Check here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html
Check here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
2003 C240
I have the same problem...I have the replacement part but haven't found the time to do it...but it definitely needs replacing.
Check here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html
Check here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...placement.html
thanks for the link, where did you get the replacement part and how much?
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Senior Member
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From: FLORIDA
2003 C240
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
It's not that hard to swap out the switch. I wrote a DIY on it, should be stickied. 
Here we go.
Clicky
You do NOT have to disconnect the battery, this was verified by my SA. There is always the risk of frying the SAM if one reconnects it improperly. Best to avoid touching it if possible.
Here we go.
ClickyYou do NOT have to disconnect the battery, this was verified by my SA. There is always the risk of frying the SAM if one reconnects it improperly. Best to avoid touching it if possible.
Last edited by slammer111; Jan 18, 2021 at 08:28 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
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2003 C240
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1
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2004 c240 Wagon
Turn Signal Problems
I have this same issue and boy has it gotten even more weird. It started just with the left turn signal (the signal arm would not lock into place). Eventually the right signal developed the same problem. Now, the turn signals still work, you just have to hold the signal arm in place. This is where it gets weird. Driving down the road I went through a small shower and switched my windshield wipers on only to notice that they were not working. I left them on just praying they would engage at any minute. It wasn't until I hit my right turn signal to change lanes that they finally started working. Now this is the case 100% of the time. My wipers will not engage unless I hit my right turn signal and the minute I hit my left turn signal they stop again. What the heck?? 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
The wire in the stalk controlling the wipers has snapped. It's working intermittently because the wire is randomly reconnecting while you wobble the turn signal stalk.
My turn signal stalk started to stop holding again. It's caused by notches being worn down inside the signal assembly. There are 2 pieces with a notch - one for L signal, one for R. The material they used isn't durable enough to resist the wear. Once the notch wears past a certain point, the signal stalk no longer holds. I was able to repair this by adding a dab of industrial-strength epoxy to the worn area and filling the notch back in. So far so good.
Hopefully my pictures help. The 1st picture is of the electrical connection between the stalk (which I'm pretty sure is attached to the wiper speed controller). In the 2nd photo, the curved white plastic piece (notice there are 2 identical pieces in the photo) has worn. It may be hard to see, but the notch in the hole (right by the long thin grease stain) has been "smoothed out".
My turn signal stalk started to stop holding again. It's caused by notches being worn down inside the signal assembly. There are 2 pieces with a notch - one for L signal, one for R. The material they used isn't durable enough to resist the wear. Once the notch wears past a certain point, the signal stalk no longer holds. I was able to repair this by adding a dab of industrial-strength epoxy to the worn area and filling the notch back in. So far so good.
Hopefully my pictures help. The 1st picture is of the electrical connection between the stalk (which I'm pretty sure is attached to the wiper speed controller). In the 2nd photo, the curved white plastic piece (notice there are 2 identical pieces in the photo) has worn. It may be hard to see, but the notch in the hole (right by the long thin grease stain) has been "smoothed out".
Last edited by slammer111; Jun 6, 2021 at 11:48 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
For more information, look at this thread. Had the wipers suddenly stop working too. Caused by a snapped wire at the base of the stalk. It's very difficult to solder (not enough slack) so it's probably easiest to simply replace the switch. Mine had already stopped clicking and holding the L/R positions years ago, so it was a fairly easy decision.
Last edited by slammer111; Jul 27, 2021 at 02:10 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
I have this same issue and boy has it gotten even more weird. It started just with the left turn signal (the signal arm would not lock into place). Eventually the right signal developed the same problem. Now, the turn signals still work, you just have to hold the signal arm in place. This is where it gets weird. Driving down the road I went through a small shower and switched my windshield wipers on only to notice that they were not working. I left them on just praying they would engage at any minute. It wasn't until I hit my right turn signal to change lanes that they finally started working. Now this is the case 100% of the time. My wipers will not engage unless I hit my right turn signal and the minute I hit my left turn signal they stop again. What the heck??
My wipers engaged randomly, then the washer would spray until the reservoir was empty.
Replaced the complete stalk and all is good.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 265
From: Sacramento, CA
2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2008 ML550 4Matic; 2004 C320
That would be caused by 2 of the wires shorting and basically closing the circuit for the washer fluid. Be sure to look at my link and ensure that the rail has been shaved down. The dealership didn't do this when they last replaced my stalk and the rail eventually severed the wiper control wires.
