About a week ago, my becker head unit (that came with the car, 1995 E320 special edition) starting doing this thing where if the car's been left off for a few hours, the radio display will flash and the tape deck will click over and over, and eventually (up to an hour later at one point) the radio will finally come on. It usually works for a while then does the whole "i don't wanna work" thing again. However, if the car is off, you can switch it on and it works just fine, until you turn the key on. Also, when I start the engine after several hours it will idle up and down and if you try to go when this is happening the engine power will come and go in lurches/waves. If you give it gas and fast idle for a while before you go it is ok.

Also, when the radio is doing it's thing if you press on one of the window up/down buttons, the radio will come on and work for a few seconds before resuming it's flashing/not working state.

So it seems like there's something not right about the electrical system. Either the battery, the alternator, or maybe the wiring harness (I've read that W124's have a problem with that sometimes).

If anyone has any thoughts about this I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Kevyn

1995 E320 Special Edition (current car)
1998 C230 sedan (dearly departed)

 

The wiring harness issue was only for the engine wiring. The heat cracked the insulation.

 

i had experienced it in my E 320. your alternator is not charging the battery.
check your voltage and voltage regulator

 

change your fuses, they are not expensive.

the car is almost 10 years old, refreshing them won't hurt anything.

CHANGE, don't just check especially the radio fuses.

peter

 

thanks for your help, guys... question: if it's the alternator not charging the battery, wouldn't that affect other systems as well? could it be that the battery's going out? i ordered some new fuses so i'll replace them and see if this helps.

thanks...

 

I agree with ebenz. I would start with the fuses. I had so many strange little electrical problems fixed on my '94 E320 by just wiggling fuses.

 

Hi, all... just an update for anyone interested. I had the battery replaced a few months ago (was tested as bad). Things got better for a while but the weird random electrical problems continued. One day in order to use the radio I had to put a window down, open the sunroof, and turn on the blinkers at the same time... i've had to leave the headlights on constantly in order for the radio and the cruise control to work.

Two nights ago, on my way home from another city, all the lights came on and the car lost complete power. Luckily I had a friend about 15 miles away and we charged the battery off his car, drove 10 minutes towards his house, car died. Charged again, drove, died. Did this three times over an hour and a half to get back to his house. Had a new alternator put on yesterday and everything seems to be working perfectly now. I've had intermittent cruise control problems since i got the car (sometimes it just won't work) and that seems to be working fine now too. I'm hoping that this will solve all my problems!

Funny thing is that I had it fixed at a Volvo specialist. Looks like the Swedish had to step in and help the Germans out... funny how the tables turn.

Anyway, ta ta.

Kevyn