Super-sensitive high beams
 

My high beams are ultra-sensitive. If I go over a bump at night they're likely to turn on. Ditto for when I use my turn signals. Needless to say, other drivers curse my very existence at night.

I took the combination switch (i.e. the turn signal lever) out of the steering column last night and had a look at it. I thought maybe I could figure out how to fix this problem, but no dice. There was no obvious (to me, anyway) solution. When I reinstalled it I discovered it was worse.

Tightening the mounting screws a little more will probably get it back to its previous level of sensitivity, but the screws were very tight when I removed it so I doubt I can fix the problem entirely that way.

Oh, and my high beams no longer work in flash mode, i.e. when I pull back on the lever.

So before I go looking for a used combo switch, anyone have any insight into this problem?

Maroon, I hope you get some good answers, as I have the same problem and haven't even tried to tackle this yet.

I had a combo switch similar to the MB in an '83 Maxima. High beams were the same way, and the cruise would stop working when ever a bump like a RR crossing was encountered. Replaced the switch (same price for used as it was for new at the dealer). Ended the problem.

That's not encouraging!

I had the same problem on one of my W123s. I could not figure a way to disassemble it to fix it. It also affected my wipers (kicked them on intermittently). I just bought another one at a junkyard. Not much help- either. I hope someone has an answer.

Rick

I never really liked combo switches because of the inherant problems like this.

combo switch
 

Ill sell you combo switch for $20+shippingNope. Give me a part number.

Winmutt, I'm sending you a PM!

Hey, join the club.

I was coming back from CT tonight with the SD and decided to move to the center lane from the left. Hit the turn signal and the brights flash.........the $hitbox in front actually started to move right........:eek: .........what's the chances of that happening again??

Yep, the springs and contacts internal to the switch get old and tired and the brights become ultra sensitive to any movement of the switch. Effectively, the detents are gone.

I've never taken one of them apart.........I just replaced it on the SDL when the washer switch no longer worked.........seems like the SD needs another item on "the list".

Well it looks like Fuzzball and I need new combo switches.

I think I'll try and take the old one apart when I get the new one, just to see if there's any chance of fixing it. I'm guessing there's not, since it didn't look like I could seperate the pertinent parts without breaking the thing. And I'm guessing that installing new springs that must be pretty tiny would take a lot of patience.

Pleae keep me informed....I tackled window switches with no hesitation, but not in a hurry to try this one.

I got a price for this piece here on MercedesShop, I believe it was $119. My brights aren't that bright anyway, so I'm just leaving them off. No other drivers seem to even notice they're on.

Same problem
 

I had the same problems with the switch on my 1982 300d. I took the switch apart 3 times, drilled out the rivets and never got it to work. Last month I got one from the wrecking yard for $20. Found out the one I tried to fix was a aftermarket product. The used one works great.

Well, thanks to Winmutt I have a new combo switch and my problem is now and ex-problem.

Looking at the old one again, it's all riveted so I have no way of taking it apart without breaking it.

Given what nlines had to say, it seems there's not much hope for fixing these things.