Help! Installed cd changer...now headlight washer goes on when turning on ignition! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 07-29-2002, 09:12 AM

SLK 230 - 1998 I don't know if its just a coincidence....but on Friday I went to Circuit City and had them install my cd changer (I was going to do it myself, but chickened out) I was afraid I'd drill into the gas tank or something...so for $50, I thought I would just let the "pros" do it. The cd changer works fine. Sunday, when I went to use the car...I turned on the ignition and the washers for the headlights squirted. It happened each time I started the car. Did they possibly do something to the wiring when they installed the cd changer or is it just a coincidence? All they did was plug in the cd changer, but maybe they hit something when they drilled the holes for the brackets? They mounted it in the trunk on the plastic side panel on the passenger side, right next to wear the cd changer wire is. There are alot of wires in there and I'm hoping they didn't drill and hit something or maybe a wire is touching one of the screws? Does anyone know if any of the wires in the back right hand panel have anything to do with the headlight washers? I want to bring it in to MB but I'm afraid they'll tell me I voided the warranty or something by putting in an Alpine changer rather than a MB. HELP!!! Thanks!

shanta · #2 07-29-2002, 09:46 AM

Do both wipers do this? Last time I turned my car on and the headlight wipers started squirting at me I had to replace the headlight wiper motor. I don't htink this has anthying to do witht he CD changer, but who knows..

#3 07-29-2002, 10:05 AM

Yeah, both of them squirt. It could be a problem with just the washers and not connected to the cd at all.....just maybe wierd timing.....??

shanta · #4 07-29-2002, 11:06 AM

Yeah, both of mines had a squirt attack once and I had to replace only 1 motor. Not sure why 1 motor cause both to go crazy. When you start the car the wipers move and get stuck into a wierd position (like the motor is constantly running) and they think they should still be going forward and they can't, that is why they squirt. If you just take a look at them you could probably move them back into their orginal position and they will stop squirting (hiopefully). Then take it to a mechanic so they can see which motor is bad.

#5 07-29-2002, 11:16 AM

Its not the windshield wipers that are squirting....its the washers on the headlights (if it makes a difference....?).

shanta · #6 07-29-2002, 01:00 PM

I type it (technically) wrong. Sorry

#7 07-30-2002, 09:51 AM

Well, I brought the car to the MB dealer to have it checked out. It turned out that it was just a coincidence. The cd changer install had nothing to do with it. There was a problem with the wires behind the headlight washer button. They must have been loose and were touching and were "ON" all the time. They reconnected them correctly to the button, and problem solved!! Good thing I didn't go scream at the guys that installed the cd changer!!!

Thanks for your help!

#8 07-30-2002, 04:37 PM

Lucky for you, the wiring was done correctly. But this is a common problem with installation of audio systems in cars by non-mechanics. I have heard of numerous such cases. My personal favorite was the Jaguar that had a cell phone powered by the fuel injector circuit. Interesting as to what happened if a call came in at the same time the car was accelerating...