Monika

Merc S55 AMG - Year 2004: What may cause the lights (including the interior cabin light & cluster lights) to flicker (dim & Bright) when the enigine is running or ideling. When both the front seat massage (pulse) are turned on than the seat massage operates for a very short while & the light flashes. I also get a random malfunction message stating Number plate light mulfunction but, if I check the lamp, they are all fine!!! No idea why the message come on. I am guessing that all these issues are inter-related with the electrical system but, I could be wrong. Lastly, the SOFT close on one door only seems NOT to be functioning. The car runs fine with NO other problems except the slight flicker of all the lights. Any suggestions????

Viet_Amg408

COULD BE ALTERNATOR GOING OUT.. AND UR VACUUM PUMP IS PROBABLY GOING OUT TOO

bob55

There was a Tech Bulletin Recall issued on the Instrument cluster flickering problem for the 2001-2006 S-Class. If that is indeed the problem you are experiencing, an MB Dealer may actually fix it for free even if the car is not under any kind of warranty anymore.

Monika

Thanks for the prompt reply. Any simple way to pin point the defect OR do I have to trial & error diagonise it?

Monika

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if the CLUSTER issue is effecting the whole car electrical system OR just the CLUSTER. My whole car lights seems to be FLICKERING. Do you think this could be one of the RECALL related issue???? Any advice appriciated.

Viet_Amg408

this for your s55 2004 right.. ?go inspect your alternator .. if its valeo.. its ok.. IF ITS BOSH.. then your voltage regulator is faulty.. there's an update one for it.. ask your dealer

for the rest of your problem could be cause by voltages drop.. yes it could related to your alternator voltage regulator..

try to fix alternator first .. and recheck hopefully it goes away

DRTYLNDY

This kind of sounds like a failing battery to me.

Monika

Thanks again. I am shall get an ALTERNATOR and than ask my mech to open the engine. What do you mean by "AN UPDATE" for the regulator?? I was under the impression that for the S55 the regulator is built into the ALTERNATOR & if NOT than may be I need only the regulator? Is that TRUE?

Monika

During SERVICE A, I got the mech. look into this issue. The BATTERY checked out fine according to them. They could NOT locate the FLICKERING fault. They said that it could be a loose ground and diagnostic could take forever as it is more of Trial & Error throughout the electrical system of the car. What makes it difficult is that this FLICKERING does NOT always happen. It is MOODY and comes & goes. It happens at least 3 to 4 times a week but NOT always. It could act that way for 30 minutes & than it would be fine and restart with the issue again. There is NO particular pattern.

Viet_Amg408

again its the voltage regulator; mount behind the alternator..sheeshh..

Monika

Thanks I shall look into this issue. Hope it cures the fliker.