Having strange issue - left turn signal sometimes does not work / effects radio, etc.

Apr 5, 2014 | 10:23 PM

86560sel

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Joined: Nov 2003

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From: Tennessee

1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville

Having strange issue - left turn signal sometimes does not work / effects radio, etc.

Hey guys,

I have posted this on some other MB forums with no luck, thought I would try here. I have a 1993 400SEL. The car had been setting since last March until a few weeks ago, I finally have it running good.

I had to remove the battery to recharge it. Of course the radio wanted the code to work, so I entered the code. I started driving the car and noticed there were times my LEFT turn signal would turn on a few flashes, flicker a little bit, then go out. Passenger side signal works fine, as does the bulbs on the driver side when I turn on the hazards. Well I noticed during the drive the other day that when I turned on my left signal (it was not working), the radio turned off! If I wouldn't turn it back on and off with the button, the radio would come back on when I would turn the signal on again. I thought it was because of a loose battery cable and it seemed to cure the radio for awhile, but the signal issue went on. Now I noticed today even when I turn on my RIGHT side signal which works fine, the radio will turn off after the signal cancels. Also just today I have noticed that my radio will not turn off when I take the key out of the ignition.

Now when the left turn signal does work, it will flash about 4 times, then I start hearing this clicking from the instrument cluster, the signal will flicker, then it will go black and not work again for awhile.

What in the world could be going on? The radio is original, never been removed, no wires spliced, etc. Could it be the flasher, a bad bulb even though it lights up on left side when flashers are on, relay under the hood, or some sort of short?

Thanks in advance!

Apr 6, 2014 | 11:05 PM

86560sel

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Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 68

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From: Tennessee

1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville

Anyone?

I know that the radio not turning off when the key removed is at least not an unusual issue on other MB's, but haven't found much on it being an issue on the W140. Somehow this radio issue is linked with my turn signals and at a crossroads.

Thanks.

Apr 7, 2014 | 06:31 AM

1999 S500

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Joined: Jul 2012

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From: Cape Canaveral, Fl

1999 S500 Grand Edition

When weird things happen in the cockpit with electronics, it seems that the instrument cluster becomes a candidate for replacement. They are pretty costly. See if you can identify the part number on your car. Most dealers will look up your VIN and give it to you but not over the phone. Find one on ebay and pop it in. I am told that it is not a hard fix. See if it the problem goes away. Apparently the odometer is a chip that can be pulled out and swapped with the new one.

If it does not affect the issues, post the cluster back on ebay and sell it.

Apr 7, 2014 | 06:07 PM

86560sel

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 68

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From: Tennessee

1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville

Thanks.

Well the cluster was replaced by Mercedes in 1996 under warranty (when the car was 3 years old), but I know it is possible that the 1996 replacement is biting the dust as well... at would be my luck anyway. This was not happening until I parked the car for a year while I was waiting to have other repairs made. Repair one thing and another thing happens... that is the W140 way though, correct? lol.

I was hoping it would be as simple as a bad relay or flasher or something. I don't know what the radio not turning off when I remove the key has to do with the instrument cluster however. That may be a totally different issue though.

Thanks.

Apr 7, 2014 | 07:41 PM

1999 S500

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Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 66

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From: Cape Canaveral, Fl

1999 S500 Grand Edition

Yeah,

I know the feeling. I have a short somewhere that causes the odometer to fade in and out when the blinker is on. My cluster was replaced about 3 years into its life and the dealer in Jax thought that it was failing again.

I have also lost the intermittent/rain sensitive wipers so it might be that relay as well. That relay controls the wipers and blinkers. More of the push the garage door opener and the dishwasher starts engineering again!

I just got off of the phone with strutmaster's to get a set of struts to replace my rear hydraulic ones. I am tired of dealing with that system as well.

Good luck!

Mark

Apr 9, 2014 | 07:14 PM

86560sel

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 68

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From: Tennessee

1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville

Thanks.

Yeah, well no problems with my wipers yet, that is probably next, lol.

Someone on another board said it sounds like I have a short somewhere that may require a lot of work, chasing wires, etc, etc. If it is not the cluster or a relay, I guess that is all that could be left. The car set for about a year (but I did start and move it around from time to time), so I am wondering if a mouse may not have chewed a wire or something. I don't know. I am even now to the point of considering letting the car go, as much as I hate to, but it may be time.

Good luck with yours!

Apr 11, 2014 | 12:59 AM

86560sel

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Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 68

Likes: 0

From: Tennessee

1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville

It is a long shot, but I am going to try to replace both the turn signal relay and combination relay if I can find one that will not break the bank and see if that helps any. If not, I am moving on. lol.

Thanks!

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Apr 14, 2014 | 07:37 PM

86560sel

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 68

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From: Tennessee

1988 Mercedes 300SEL, 1991 Lexus LS400, 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate, 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville

I will. I am going to try the bulbs first, they looked rusty inside of them at the filaments. If that does not work like I said, I will try the relay. If that don't work, someone wants to trade me a 1995 Cadillac for it and I will probably do it... at least it is something I can work on, lol.

Thanks.