W123 flasher relay capacitor specs - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mikeyfev1 · #1 10-29-2010, 07:19 PM

Does anyone have a w123 flasher relay that they can take apart? Mine is not working; after disassembling it I believe it has a bad capacitor, which is a small-dollar fix. The only problem is that I cannot read the printing on mine; the overheated capacitor dissolved its printing. So I don't know the specs on the cap. TIA.

I can make out:

4xx16
ROE
S2 EKU

The two "x"s are not readable.

I have the 3-prong relay, the top says:

000 821 09 63
12V/2 (4) x 21W
max 6 x 32cp
54 201 004
DOT SAE
J 590 b / 945
71 90 10
Made in Germany

Stevo · #2 10-30-2010, 12:08 PM

I have a bad relay "someplace" in my shop and will get back if I can find it. I would be nice to be able to fix one of these as the last one I bought was over $40, several years ago.

Stevo · #3 10-30-2010, 06:03 PM

All I have is a good one that I wouldn't want too take apart, must have tossed the bad one, sorry

jt20 · #4 10-30-2010, 06:21 PM

mb# 0008210963 ?

I have that flasher relay, and I do not see a capacitor in there that matches.

Please describe the item and its location looking down on the board, prongs in hand.

Billybob · #5 10-30-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyfev1

Does anyone have a w123 flasher relay that they can take apart? Mine is not working; after disassembling it I believe it has a bad capacitor, which is a small-dollar fix. The only problem is that I cannot read the printing on mine; the overheated capacitor dissolved its printing. So I don't know the specs on the cap. TIA.

I can make out:

4xx16
ROE
S2 EKU

The two "x"s are not readable.

I have the 3-prong relay, the top says:

000 821 09 63
12V/2 (4) x 21W
max 6 x 32cp
54 201 004
DOT SAE
J 590 b / 945
71 90 10
Made in Germany

Hopefully, you started with and eliminated the emergency flasher switch as the potential root of any turn signal malfunction issue! The 123 system uses the turn signal flasher relay to operate the emergency flashers, very often the emergency switch is dirty and malfunctioning and causes all manner of turn signal problems. It can be sometimes cleaned with an aerosol contact cleaner to restore proper operation, or sometimes you can disassemble, inspect, and clean this switch to restore proper operation. But it's best to start there if you don't have a known good flasher relay you can swap into place for diagnostic purposes. Good Luck!

layback40 · #6 10-30-2010, 08:02 PM

Best you unsolder the cap & take it to your local electronic parts supply place. they can probably recognize it from its size. They may even recommend a a slightly different type that will take bigger loads.
For years I used to replace components in things like that by ratting bits from an old defunct TV. Even managed to get a couple of gasser distributors going with capacitors from the TV. The actual capacity of the cap may not be critical.

mikeyfev1 · #7 10-30-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billybob

Hopefully, you started with and eliminated the emergency flasher switch as the potential root of any turn signal malfunction issue! The 123 system uses the turn signal flasher relay to operate the emergency flashers, very often the emergency switch is dirty and malfunctioning and causes all manner of turn signal problems. It can be sometimes cleaned with an aerosol contact cleaner to restore proper operation, or sometimes you can disassemble, inspect, and clean this switch to restore proper operation. But it's best to start there if you don't have a known good flasher relay you can swap into place for diagnostic purposes. Good Luck!

Oh, yes, I should have said--I have disassembled, cleaned and reassembled the emergency flasher switch. When I turn on the emergency flasher switch, all signal lights come one and stay on solid. When I turn the emergency flasher switch off and move the turn signal lever to one side or the other, the lights on the appropriate side come on and stay on solid. No flashing function for any of these operations.

Billybob · #8 10-30-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyfev1

Oh, yes, I should have said--I have disassembled, cleaned and reassembled the emergency flasher switch. When I turn on the emergency flasher switch, all signal lights come one and stay on solid. When I turn the emergency flasher switch off and move the turn signal lever to one side or the other, the lights on the appropriate side come on and stay on solid. No flashing function for any of these operations.

Ah! That's important info in the larger scheme of things. At least you know it's not the switch now!

You can probably replace that cap with anything of similar physical size; most of the foil can types will be rated for voltages higher than 12V. I'd suspect the circuit uses the cap in a simple oscillator circuit arrangement where the cap accumulates a charge over a period determined by resistance determined by discrete components and external circuit factors so the value of the cap is probably not super critical. If you've got any lying around just find one about the same size and solder it in there and see if that restores some semblance of function.

At least until you find a more definitive answer, or keep moving the stalk in a rhythmic manner as you turn like you've been doing!