paultyler

I am looking at a 97 S500 that I might buy, but it has a strange issue. When I tried to adjust the steering wheel with the steering wheel adjuster knob just to the left of the steering wheel rather than moving the steering wheel it moved the driver's side view mirror, and only in one direction.

Also when I try to adjust the side view mirrors with the mirror switch on the center console it will only adjust the drivers side and it will only move it in one direction, which the is same direction that the steering wheel knob will move it. Sounds like a short or something.

I am going to have a Mercedes mechanic look at it, but was wondering if anyone has seen this problem before.

kcscout

My guess is that the wiring inside the mirror is broken and shorting out. That will cause unpredictable movement. This happened to me a couple of years ago on my 97' S320. I removed my mirrors and carefully re-insulated each conductor in the wiring harness. The alternative is to buy a new wiring harness for each mirror. That's only available from the dealer and I am not sure of the cost.

RJN

kcscout => how did you remove the mirror? I can't get mine off. Any assistance would be great

kcscout

They come off really easily. Use the control botton to fold them back so that the back of the mirror is accessible. There is a wire clip inside the mirror housing near the outer leading edge of the back that holds the mirror cover on. Get a small flashlight and examine the area and you will see the wire clip. You will need two flat screw drivers to gently pry both both ends of the clip away from the housing at the same time and the mirror cover will just slide right off. There are three phillip screws that hold the mirror mechanism onto the car. You can actually get to these without removing the mirror housing, but it is easier to remove the housing while the mirror is still mounted to the car. Be careful when you take the last screw out to hold onto the mirror and not let it fall. There are two electrical connectors just inside the mounting point that you will need to disconnect. I can generally have my mirror removed in less than 5 minutes. I just recently did this to install a new mirror motor on my passenger side. Once you find the clip that releases the mirror housing the rest is very easy.

RJN

Kcsout +> Thanks will be trying on Sat morning. will let you know.

RJN

kcscout => I followed your instructions and was able to remove the mirror, thanks. All of the wires were missing their coverings and were either touching each other or worse bonded together. I was able to separate and cover them. Put things back together and now the mirrors, seats and steering column work without blowing fuse #30. Guess I don't have to buy another mirror as the MB Dealership said I would have too.

kcscout

Glad I could help. Wish I could take credit for that information but when I had that problem I got the same advice from another enthusiast right here on this forum. Best of luck with your car.