SL/R231: Turn signal not working after car wash
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 231
From: In the minds of others rent free.
SL 400
Likely there is a small/hairline crack in the lens that has allowed water to short out the light. Higher than normal rain water pressure can do that. Sometimes you will see fog, etc. in that lens as well. Get down and look closely and if not visible with naked eye you sometimes can find the crack by running your fingernail of the lens to find it. Sorta like searching a clear roll of tape for the starting point.
Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Jul 8, 2024 at 10:18 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 738
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Unfortunately somewhat common,
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...-15-sl400.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...ght-issue.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...wersupply.html
Good Luck
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...-15-sl400.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...ght-issue.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...wersupply.html
Good Luck
Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 111
Likes: 44
From: Bainsville, Ontario, Canada
SL 550 (2014) Kia Sorento (2016)
There are 12 LED's that make up the turn signal. Arranged as groups of 2, 3 and 7 LED's on 3 individual circuit boards. The dumb thing is that if one board shorts out, all three go off line. They are shielded at the top of the headlight but still exposed to any water that gets into the main casing so as TMD says, check for cracks. Just so you know, there are very few people that will attempt to take the casing apart and replace the LED board that went south. Cost is around $1,000 USD.
A new headlight is around $1,800 USD from Autohaus. Be very wary of buying used headlights because you stand a 1 in 3 chance of getting a good one. At $400 to $600 each used, you would be better off with a new one.
The other item to check is the headlight module mounted to the bottom of the headlight casing. It is very poorly designed to keep water out and is known to fail on the R231. Take yours apart and check the terminals for corrosion in the multi pin connection and then check the inside of the module for water and or corrosion.
If the module is the problem, buy a new one if possible because even though you can find them on eBay, they might not be designed for the R231. The same module is used on a lot of MB products. Having said that, if that module fails it usually takes down the whole headlight.
Another thing to note is that up to 2015 you can replace anything in and around the headlight. After 2014, the new headlight has to be programmed.
Good luck!
A new headlight is around $1,800 USD from Autohaus. Be very wary of buying used headlights because you stand a 1 in 3 chance of getting a good one. At $400 to $600 each used, you would be better off with a new one.
The other item to check is the headlight module mounted to the bottom of the headlight casing. It is very poorly designed to keep water out and is known to fail on the R231. Take yours apart and check the terminals for corrosion in the multi pin connection and then check the inside of the module for water and or corrosion.
If the module is the problem, buy a new one if possible because even though you can find them on eBay, they might not be designed for the R231. The same module is used on a lot of MB products. Having said that, if that module fails it usually takes down the whole headlight.
Another thing to note is that up to 2015 you can replace anything in and around the headlight. After 2014, the new headlight has to be programmed.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
2013 SL550
Does anyone know if I can take the headlight control module from the left headlight and switch it to the right headlight? Would like to eliminate the control module from the the source of why my right turn signall not working. The single line of lights for the parking light was working and also the side marker light was working and they are both inoperable now,
2013 SL550
Thanks
2013 SL550
Thanks
Last edited by crazy4life; Jul 11, 2024 at 08:05 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 738
From: Nor-Cal
2020 GLC300 -2014 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
They are interchangeable….
If you turned the headlights on without both modules hooked up, or one of the modules is defective and hooked it up to the other side, you probably need to clear the errors with XENTRY before the lights will operate properly again.
Good Luck!
If you turned the headlights on without both modules hooked up, or one of the modules is defective and hooked it up to the other side, you probably need to clear the errors with XENTRY before the lights will operate properly again.
Good Luck!
Last edited by crconsulting; Jul 11, 2024 at 10:42 AM.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
2013 SL550
They are interchangeable….
If you turned the headlights on without both modules hooked up, or one of the modules is defective and hooked it up to the other side, you probably need to clear the errors with XENTRY before the lights will operate properly again.
Good Luck!
If you turned the headlights on without both modules hooked up, or one of the modules is defective and hooked it up to the other side, you probably need to clear the errors with XENTRY before the lights will operate properly again.
Good Luck!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
