Cruise control lights flashing. Why? Can't find answer.
 

Sometimes I see the my cruise control lights (you know, that segmented ring around the speedo that goes on with cruise control) flashing and then go out.

Can anyone tell me what that means?

Today I caught it flashing briefly and the cruise control wasn't even on.

I checked the manual and did a search but could not find the answer.

Car does not have distronic.

Did you switch off your ESP?

nope

Have you disconnected your battery lately?!?! Happened to me and started to work a couple days later

Nope. The funny thing is everything works fine. Once in a while the ring in the speedometer just flashes for a couple of seconds.

Just a Halloween Gremlin. :y

It'll go away as quickly as it showed up, I'm sure.

Do you have any news on this one? I'm having the same problem in w219

Sorry. Nothing new to report. I see a flash once in a while, but everything works like it's supposed to.

Thanks. Samething here. I just see a flash one in a while but all works fine. I will keep my eyes open and share.

On mine the segmented ring will be there and then not all with the cruise on.
With the cruise working fine.
I have changed from the speedo to the mpg after start and total time mpg and everything still works , just not the ring.
I was just thinking it was just not able to keep up with what I wanted.

My W219 is has been doing this for a few years now. Has anyone figured out how to fix this? My cruise control functions as it should but the flashing ring is annoying. I have figured out that if I turn on the cruise control, after a (random) amount of time the ring will go away, flashing or solid (solid as it should be). Is there any way to turn the ring indicator off? Any help or advise appreciated.

Same here
 

The segmented ring keeps flashing and sometimes may just disappear. Np issues with the actual cruise control. The segment also flashes once in a while even when cruise is not activated. Any one with a solid explanation or remedy?

cruise ring light flashing
 

My 2007 clk, w209, cruise light ring in dash flashes about once every 5 minutes. Looks like no one has the answer.

The overall CC system is very different depending upon MY/model however what I believe to be constant are the imputes the ECU requires to maintain a speed without the pedal control---they are throttle control BAS and ESP modules----and here we go again which one is causing the flashing----the car has to be quick tested to locate the stored and or current faults----all other supposition is just that----so live with it or spend some money to find out why or just throwing parts at the car!!

Happy to report this problem in my 2007 CLS550 went away on its own. The ring no longer flashes, however it no longer comes on when I turn on the cruise control as its supposed to. Cruise control functions properly otherwise. I suspect that the flashing of the circle is the start of that cruise control indicator starting to fail. Glad its finally off!

Same Problem
 

I have the same problem on my 2006 E350... circle of lights will randomly flash... no performance change, just a sporadic blink of that row of lights. Have my car in the shop to fix the gas leak now that the warranty has been extended, and had them look at it. Typically, they said to replace the entire instrument cluster. I think not... it doesn't bother me that much.

My 2007 CLK350 209 also does this. Seems to be at shift points or maybe ESP related moments, but all functions well, and I can't find a pattern. If anyone finds out a possible reason, (even a category of issue!) please post and let us know! "gremlins" isn't a very helpful answer! ;)

Have 2006 E500. Same problem. Have the random flash of the cruise control digital light ring cluster just below the Odometer numerals for one second or less. It is not always the same. Sometimes it is a full ring 0-160 mph and sometimes it is only a section, the 0-20 mph section, 40-80 mph, 20-140 mph,....you get the idea. It is not related to speed, shift pattern, acceleration, braking, turning or anything else that I can tell. These lights normally illuminate the section of the ring when setting the cruise to the speed being set as well as giving a numeric display of the speed. So, now the cruise control does work, but there is no indicator light that lets you know it is set. This happened after a service to the steering module which was replaced because the turn signal indicator light on the dash for turning left would illuminate and flash as if turning left when turning on the signal for a right hand turn. Car was brought back to diagnose the random flash, which was verified by mechanic, but no answer or repair was forthcoming. Then one day I went to activate the cruise and realized that was where the problem seemed to be from. Took car in , didn't get solved and got long winded explanation about the cluster and a lot of work and time ........ Spoke with service manager regarding this and he thinks it is a software compatibility issue. That sometimes new modules have some new programs and don't allow for complete exchange of information and recommends car be brought back in and evaluated No charge. Will post results once that is done.

I just got this after changing rear tires with front tires that are near end of life (actually life support). It was suggested in another thread that the blinking may be a result of excessive tire diameter difference. I change the fronts this weekend and will let you all know.

2007 E350 same flashing issue
 

I have this happening in my car at random intervals of about 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Different portions of the cruise light ring will light up for a split second. Sometimes multiple non-connected sections light up at once. This happens even when the ignition key is in the accessory position and the engine is not on. Like others have noted, there is no other effect and I suspect that it is a software fault.

This is exactly what mine does. Last night, I had this new behavior from it. Untz, untz, untz:

I have a 2003 E500.....I have one key that the "cruise ring" is off until I turn on the cruise control (works as it should)
And another key that the cruise ring comes on as soon as I start the car...then when I turn the cruise on the ring goes out. Took it to the Benz dealer...could not figure it out.
Assuming it is a programming issue.....car/cruise works fine with both keys.

Not certain how this would apply to two key condition mentioned, and complete failure would trigger ESP warning but "could" be intermittent problem with steering angle sensor.

My 2007 CLS550 does the same thing. Cruise works great. Sometimes the ring is steady and correct with the cruise on, sometimes it is flashing with the cruise on (which is annoying). There are intermittent flashes of the cruise control light ring when the cruise is not engaged; these are very quick and if I'm not looking at the dash when it happens I probably don't notice many of them. Sure wish someone could figure this out or at least report back if Mercedes was able to fix it.

Seems to occur across multiple models.