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So I replaced the stock side mirror turn signal lights into led ones but I get a malfunction message that says R. TURN SIG. RFLECTR CHECK LAMP! AND L as well. The lights themselves work, the turn signal indicators inside the car blink rapidly though. No other malfunctions. Any ideas on how I could fix this. Perhaps buying signal lights that aren't this cheap?
Item I bought:
"US Smoked Led Side Mirror Turn Signal Light For 99-02 Mercedes-Benz W220 S-Class"
You will need to measure how much current the new and the old lights are using. Because the S class computer calculates to see how much current is flowing, then it determines if the light is damaged and displays an error.
If you have a multimeter, put it in current mode and measure how much current flows through the OEM lights then compare that with the new lights. Usually the new lights will draw less power, which is interpreted as a broken bulb, to fix it you will need more current draw. i.e. Resistor, Light bulb etc. However you will need to make sure that there is a decent amount of airflow to your resistor or light bulb, because you don't want it getting too hot and melting something.
Rostov, Have you had any luck repairing this mirror turn signal error message? I am going through the same problem right now and am desperate for a fix. Your help would be appreciated!
Rostov, Have you had any luck repairing this mirror turn signal error message? I am going through the same problem right now and am desperate for a fix. Your help would be appreciated!
I am going this path:
Ill install a resistor as soon as it arrives. Watch who you buy from. There is a youtube video of how to install it, but this is for the front turn signals not the side mirror blinkers so once I install them on the side mirror blinkers Ill let you know. The method discussed I think in the other forum talks about using the hazard lights to trick the computer into thinking that the blinkers work but that didnt work for me. Blinker to the right works normally (sometimes) but blinker on the left is still in "hyper flash" mode. I am not sure when ill get to it but if you beat me to it and it works, let me know please. Also the resistors are pretty big so they might not fit into the side mirror housing so ill have to find the wiring under the hood. Once again, I dont even know if this method will work. An auto parts store ordered me a different resistor which they said is for the side mirrors, they said no instructions come with it so I will have to find out once that part arrives.
Rostov, That is so funny. I ordered what looks to be the same resistor about an hour ago. I think I paid about $8.50 for the pair. I think there will be enough room for them with a little fidgeting. I'll cross my fingers for the both of us. Thanks, Craig
Rostov, That is so funny. I ordered what looks to be the same resistor about an hour ago. I think I paid about $8.50 for the pair. I think there will be enough room for them with a little fidgeting. I'll cross my fingers for the both of us. Thanks, Craig
So there is a place where you could super glue the resister where it wont melt anything (closest part to the car) but I have tried these resistors and they take up too much electricity that the LED's stop working and I still get the same error message on the dashboard.
We may need to come up with another method if this way doesn't work for you either.
Rostov, I'm still waiting for those resistors. Sorry to hear they don't solve our problem. cybertronicify posted a nice message about measuring the voltage. I guess maybe I'll give that a try but doing it while they are flashing may not be so easy. I'm no electric systems guru, heck I'm not even sure what a resistor does or how to set my volt meter to check. Wish someone who knew how to do this would weigh in about a successful repair for the issue.
Yea I am not an electric system guru either. I just know that the resistor should take up some of the electricity to trick the computer thinking there is a lightbulb hooked up.
What if we just get the new style housing/led's? Will it give the same problem?
To get rid of the message completely and correctly, you will need a new SAM (Signal Acquisition Module) reprogram. Not cheap at all. I'm not sure if this will work, but try to put a 16v or more 1000 uF electrolytic capacitor in parallel to the 12v and GND connection. Be VERY careful of the polarity or they will explode, and make sure its rating is 16v or higher. Since your signal doesn't stay on, the bursts of power the caps eat should be enough to keep the the computer happy. If the LED's do a fading effect then maybe you can try a lower value capacitor. The capacitor should be a dollar or so for 4 of them. (Frys, Radio Shack, etc.)
No a new housing will not solve the issue, because its the SAM that is the problem.
BTW if you use a 6 ohm power resistor you will blow a fuse, try to limit the power to 10 watts. I just did a few calculations, you will need a 20 ohm resistor for 13.8 volts.
10W = 13.8v x 724 mA
Resistance = Voltage/Current so...
R = 13.8/0.724
= 19.06 ohms
Anything +/- 5 ohm should be fine.
But the best and cheapest way to get it working is to, take out the light bulb from the old sets of lights, and put them in parallel with the new LED's and stuff them inside the housing. I dont think there will be that much of a heat issue, unless you have your signals on for a couple of hours. LOL
Last edited by cybertronicify; 02-27-2015 at 06:27 PM.
cybertronicify , I and the others here greatly appreciate the help. Maybe its easy for someone with knowledge of electronics like you to figure this out but man, that got me so confused. I wouldn't know a capacitor from a thingamabobber and a resistor from a dojawhacker. Unfortunately the light bulbs in my old lenses are burned out so I cant use em, and it seems like they are actually part of the plastic lens area so I don't think I could take them out. That would be a great idea for someone to try. Wish it could be me. If someone with electrical knowledge would be able to make the resistor for this application I and others would love to buy it. Such a common problem someone may be able to make a few extra bucks. please let us know if someone, hint hint, may decide to make em. Thanks, Craig
No that will not work. You need a 20 ohm resistor not 10. The one in the picture will draw 20W and end up overheating and melting whatever it is resting against.
02-13-2015, 01:46 AM
