I've noticed some strange flashing lights in my W124 when I shut off the car. On the centre console, the bulbs in the switches for the rear dome light and headrest release both start flashing as do the lights in the wheels for controlling the air vents, and I don't think I've spotted that before.

There also appears to be something odd going on with my licence plate bulbs. Both bulbs are fine, but only the left one lights up. I checked across the terminals with a meter and the right one seemed to have no current flowing to it. With the bulb not lit, I'm getting the 'bulb out' warning light on the dash

Are these two related? I was thinking that the first one was a failing OVP, but I already have the newer-style OVP, but it could be due for a replacement.

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Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

Maybe wiring harness is going south... but wait for a more authoritative response.

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Earl



1993 190E 2.3
2000 Toyota 4x4 Tundra

Ditto on the wiring harness. If that hasn't been changed, time's up. Even if that doesn't solve it, you needed one anyway.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I replaced my main engine wiring harness in 2005, I can't believe that the new and improved version would only last 2 years, or is this a main body wiring harness issue?

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Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

I did some more investigation last night. With the engine running, the car in park with the lights off and the emergency brake on, I had no flickering lights. When I pushed on the brake pedal, the lights started flickering, and the 'bulb out' lamp in the dash came on.

Could this be a switch on the brake pedal that needs replacing/cleaning?

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Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

More weirdness is happening... my drivers side headlamp keeps blowing, I've gone through 2 in one week.

One of the bulbs over my licence plate is also out, but when I replaced the bulb the new one didn't light up, and the old one works. I tested the terminals and there was no voltage across them.

The 'Lamp out' warning indicator goes on seemingly at random, when I push the brake pedal it goes on, even though all brake lamps light up (even the centre mounted stop lamp).

Is there something obvious I'm missing that could be causing these symptoms? Would a fuse on it's way out cause all of these problems?

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Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

I had the flashing lights syndrome at one point on my 300E. Same type situation in that I would start the car, turn on the lights, and as soon as I touched the brake pedal, all the console and dash lights would flash rapidly.

During this time I was also going through quite a few taillight bulbs on the drivers side. After months of this, and hours of looking at the light assembly, one day I noted a very small piece of the wiring had the insulation torn off. The exposed metal would touch something and short out, blowing the bulb.

Once I fixed this issue, the flickering lights went away.

I suspect you may have a similar issue with your headlight assembly.

Good luck.

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1993 300E
1999 E320 Estate

The wiring for the license lamp is broken at the trunk hinge or nearby. This happens because of the flex of the wiring from opening the trunk (classic metal fatigue) . I had this problem and fixed by splicing out the bad section of wire (the insulation was still perfect, however the copper had broken).

I also have the same problem on my driver door wiring, this time it created a short that kept the interior lights from going off. I cut the shorted wire for the door lamp on the inside of the car rather than rip the door apart. My driver-side heated mirror still doesn't work, probably a related issue.

I would guess your interior lights are not related. The only thing I can think of that would "flash" on and off would be the seatbelt warning lamps, maybe it is related to that.

My indy said it wasn't the trunk cabling, but I'll check it again to be sure. Whereabouts does the wiring cross into the trunk, it's not immediately obvious from just looking at it.

The lights aren't flashing like the seatbelt warning lights, they're flickering as if there's a loose connection or short somewhere.

I did trace the lamp control device, as part A1265420132 on the StarTek Info online EPC, but it's not the cheapest of parts on FastLane.

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Steven Harrison

1993 300E2.8 - 196K
2001 E320 4MATIC - 86K

if all of the affected lamps are controlled by it, then it's a candidate for the problem.

On mine it was the driver's side (left). The wires come out of the trunk rails here. You might have to remove the left side trunk liner to get a good look at it.