Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-04-2001, 06:30 AM
TradeGeek
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I have had an ongoing problem with my 98 C230 for the last 6 to 8 weeks. About two months ago my battery went dead. This was the original OEM battery, given I've only put 24,000 miles on the car in more than 3 years (mostly street driving, in heavy traffic) it didn't seem unusual to have a dead battery. I called AAA for a jump but noticed an odd glitch when I was driving home. When sitting idle at a light, the turn signal began to blink erratically (many times faster than normal). I replaced the OEM battery the following morning with a Duralast (The brand from a local auto parts chain). I noticed no problems once the battery was replaced. After two or three weeks with the new battery, I once again had the same glitch with the turn signal. The problem seemed to get worse over the following week. I was due for a regular service and told one of the service reps at my dealer of the problem. They had me come in and checked the voltage and the alternator and said everything seemed fine. We were unable to reproduce the problem at the dealership. Given that it was a 30 minute freeway drive to the dealer, the mechanic seemed to think it might be a bad battery that was charged by the drive. I've continued to have the problem off and on since then. I've never had any problem starting the car and the problem only seems to pop up when the car is idling. I've noticed that the overhead light also dims and Flickers at times when the car is idling. I've also noticed the LCD screen on the climate control seems to be malfunctioning at the same time. The only time the glitch posed any significant problem was one instance when the car stalled after I removed my cell phone charger from the cigarette lighter while I was waiting at a red light. The car started up again with no problem.

Today I searched the message boards to see if anybody had a similar problem. I didn't see any posts that matched my problem exactly. I did find some good diagnostic info that was helpful. I checked the voltage via the climate control LCD screen (Holding down "Reset" and pushing "+" till #24 appears). The voltage while the car was idling was around 13.5. I was unable to get the glitch to occur at that point (never seems to happen when you want it to). I went back to a nearby auto parts store and replaced the battery again, as a last ditch effort before I drop the car off at my dealer for a costly fishing expedition. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to allow them to test the old battery. After installing the battery, I checked the voltage numbers. 12.1 when the engine was off and 13.5 to 14 while the car was idling. I drove the car around for a bit and noticed no problem. I remember the last time I changed the battery I had no problems for several weeks. I suspect the same thing might happen this time around.

Does anybody have any idea what could be the cause of this glitch? In many of the posts I read ,when I performed a search, the "Overvoltage relay" was mentioned numerous time. Could this possibly be the problem? Or could it be something as simple as a defective battery or simply a poor brand? If there is a short or something draining the battery, I'd think it would give me problems when I start the car. There are no warning lights flashing on the dashboard and I checked all the fuses (I'm not even sure if that was necessary, but I was out of ideas).

Any info or advice will be appreciated. And sorry for the long winded post. I wanted to give as much info as possible given the vague symptoms I've experienced.

Thanks
Leif

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-04-2001, 07:10 AM
MBenzNL's Avatar
MBenzNL
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: the Netherlands
Posts: 1,417
When the turn signals blink erratically (many times faster than normal), this is normally caused by a worn bulb...the relay has to power up two bulbs and will blink faster when it can only power one bulb. I presume that your bulb is not worn, otherwise you would have seen the control light on the dash illuminated as saying that one of the bulbs was worn.
The relay that powers the turn signal is a combi relay that powers the rear screen defroster and windscreen wiper as well.

I have seen C classes with a turn signal problem that occurred occasionally and every time the problem (no turn signal) occurred, the control light of the rear screen defroster in the climate display was illuminated.
There was a short in the combi relay and after this relay was changed, the problem was solved.

You say that you had a dead battery once and not more...
I don't know whether the combi relay does cause your problem, but I cannot think of any other cause of erratically blinking indicator bulbs (when the bulb is not worn)...

just a thought, greetingz,
__________________
1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D
with a minor 600+k kilometer
www.MBenzNL.com
(the Netherlands)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-04-2001, 08:54 AM
TradeGeek
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I'll have to look into the combi relay. What makes me think it's a problem with the overall electrical system or the battery is the fact that the problem only occurs when the car is idling. When moving, the blinkers and LCD screen function fine. When I take the car into the dealership (assuming I don't solve the problem first) I'll be sure the ask about the combi relay. At this point that's about as good a place to start as any. I only wish I knew more people with a C Class (or any Mercedes for that matter). Unfortunate, most of my friends and family live and die by Japanese cars. I don't dare ask about any problem I'm having, that would only give them the opportunity to tell me how they've never had a problem with their Lexis.

Thanks.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Electrical problems or gremlins whunter Diesel Discussion 11 09-24-2022 03:23 PM
W124 Electrical Gremlins CSX293 Diesel Discussion 1 10-15-2004 08:08 PM
E 320 Cabriolet Electrical Gremlins timroperco Tech Help 2 05-11-2003 06:10 PM
Electrical Gremlins Sasfied Tech Help 3 09-26-2000 11:02 PM
190 E 2.3 16v. Electrical gremlins Wes Smith Tech Help 4 08-17-2000 02:14 PM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page