Turn Signal/Horn Issues - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

craftysince86 · #1 07-10-2014, 10:31 AM

so i have been having a couple problems with my 108

1st

every time i turned the wheel a quarter turn to the right the horn would honk, i googled it and it seemed like a pretty common problem. shifter bushings?

so today i pulled my steering wheel, once i got the wheel off i noticed that one of the wires were loose, actually completely off (brown) wire. so i connected it back thinking that this was the cause. so i connected it and put the wheel back on, as soon as i turned the key to accessories the horn just keeps going off one continuous honk.

i tried to trouble shoot the best i could, ultimately i ended up complete disconnecting the wires from the ring, but i still get the same result. one continuous honk. because of this i figured that it must be something farther down the column. i pulled the hub off and turn the key, no honk. i tightened the bolts down and the honk came back.

does this mean i need to change the bushing farther down the column? if so, does anyone know which bushing it is and where it is located?

i got this far, but can't seem to get any further?

2nd

my turn signals don't seem to stay on when i switch them on, i have to hold and if i let go slowly it'll hold... sometimes. someone told me that i need to get down the lever and file down a section so there is a more defined groove.

is the place i want to file down the inner grooves in between the spring posts?

help as always is really appreciated, thanks

Idle · #2 07-10-2014, 11:26 AM

The turn signal problem is pretty well known. I first ran into it about 25 years ago on a 115 and since this was pre-internet for me I just figured out where to file. It is not obvious.

But today the answer is easy to find if you just search for it on the net. You will need a small triangle file and about ten minutes of time and it will work better than new. That is to say: It will take a bit more force to move the stalk but it will not be popping out of position like it does now.

The horn thing is more complex. I will consult the chicken bones, also known as the wiring diagram, and see what I can come up with.

Idle · #3 07-10-2014, 11:33 AM

Look at the photo of your turn signal switch. See the two pins that are attached to either end of that spring? The pins drop into that area under the pins and are held in place by lobes on the plate the pins ride on.

The problem you have is that your lobes are worn away and you need to file, or perhaps drill, out an area for the pins to drop into where the lobes can hold them while you are turning.

Again, the lobes are not obvious because they are worn away. Remove some metal and give the pins a place to drop into with a lobe to hold them in place and your turn signal switch will work again.

280SE Guy · #4 07-10-2014, 12:45 PM

A Dremel tungsten carbide cutter (number 9903) used very carfully will remove some material of the lobe pockets on the turn signal switch. Not much material needs to be removed to put your turn signal switch back in order.

Regards,

280SE Guy

Baxterdown · #5 07-10-2014, 03:10 PM

Hi craftysince86

I had the same horn problem and found the answer in this post on the m-100 forum: M-100 Message Board - Horn "short" in column change cars.. The OP has a great detailed step-by-step solution.

My MB dealer was able to source the Volkullan rings ($1 each!) and my car is at the mechanic getting fixed as we speak (wish I were as knowledgeable as you guys so I could do it myself).

craftysince86 · #6 07-10-2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idle

Look at the photo of your turn signal switch. See the two pins that are attached to either end of that spring? The pins drop into that area under the pins and are held in place by lobes on the plate the pins ride on.

The problem you have is that your lobes are worn away and you need to file, or perhaps drill, out an area for the pins to drop into where the lobes can hold them while you are turning.

Again, the lobes are not obvious because they are worn away. Remove some metal and give the pins a place to drop into with a lobe to hold them in place and your turn signal switch will work again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280SE Guy

A Dremel tungsten carbide cutter (number 9903) used very carfully will remove some material of the lobe pockets on the turn signal switch. Not much material needs to be removed to put your turn signal switch back in order.

Regards,

280SE Guy

i am filing the lobs back in these corners here correct?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baxterdown

Hi craftysince86

I had the same horn problem and found the answer in this post on the m-100 forum: M-100 Message Board - Horn "short" in column change cars.. The OP has a great detailed step-by-step solution.

My MB dealer was able to source the Volkullan rings ($1 each!) and my car is at the mechanic getting fixed as we speak (wish I were as knowledgeable as you guys so I could do it myself).

great link i really appreciate that! i was looking for one of these but i could not find one. i am almost there lol, i will have to take a closer look but i am sure that has all the info i need.

what are is the shop charging you for this job?

Baxterdown · #7 07-10-2014, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftysince86

what are is the shop charging you for this job?

The mechanic quoted 2-4 hours as they also need to replace a bushing to fix a steering wheel play issue.Their rate is $100 x hour.

BTW, if you have any play in the steering wheel, this guy knew right away what was the problem. I'm happy to share the solution.

craftysince86 · #8 07-11-2014, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baxterdown

The mechanic quoted 2-4 hours as they also need to replace a bushing to fix a steering wheel play issue.Their rate is $100 x hour.

BTW, if you have any play in the steering wheel, this guy knew right away what was the problem. I'm happy to share the solution.

man! it's actually really easy to do the column bushings, and i just called the dealer and they have them coming, $1.50 a piece.

my steering suddenly got sloppy about a month after i bought the car, everyone said it was the steering coupler. is that what they told you was the cause of the sloppy steering??

Tomguy · #9 07-11-2014, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftysince86

i am filing the lobs back in these corners here correct?

Yes, this is correct. I used a chain saw file when I did mine. It's round, and it worked perfectly for the application. There are different width files. I want to say I used 5/32 but it was ages ago.

craftysince86 · #10 07-11-2014, 12:04 PM

i was just going to use a rat tail file, but the it's so small i feel like it you did it by hand you be there for some time.

Idle · #11 07-11-2014, 12:06 PM

That's the spot. The reason it is not obvious is because they wear in such a way that they look like they were made like that to begin with.

Do one, test it, work with it some more and when you are happy with it do the other lobe the same way.

craftysince86 · #12 07-11-2014, 12:15 PM

one side works and one side works if you hold it and baby off of it. i'll have to look closer and see if i can see the difference.

thanks for every ones help i really appreciate it.

Baxterdown · #13 07-11-2014, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftysince86

my steering suddenly got sloppy about a month after i bought the car, everyone said it was the steering coupler. is that what they told you was the cause of the sloppy steering??

I JUST picked up the car at the mechanic an hour ago. Yes indeed, it was the steering coupling. The mechanic explained that the rubber ring disintegrates and the two metal parts end up smacking against each other--hence the looseness or "play." Here's a video of the steering play before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKukjW11UF8

Steering is now SOLID AS A ROCK!

-- Horn fixed too!

I got the steering coupling at Overseas Parts (a local store here in Fort Lauderdale) for $75. OEM part (see attached pic below). The guys at Overseas are amazingly competent and very friendly (I'm just a customer, no relation to them). Feel free to give them a ring (I work with Mike). Their number is: 954-561-9300.

Good luck bud!

Jose

craftysince86 · #14 07-11-2014, 01:34 PM

dang $75! that's cheap, if it's OEM. wish i would have known this before hand. i paid $130 for my OE one, i got mine in earlier this week so too late for me now.

i can't wait to get mine in lol, i feel like i've been driving drunk with the steering wheel play. i just watched your video and that's exactly how mine is.

Baxterdown · #15 07-11-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftysince86

dang $75! that's cheap

Keep these guys in mind for sure. The cheapest I had seen a side mirror glass on Ebay was $59. They got it for me (delivered in less than 24 hours) for $35. Also, these guys deal with our cars all day long, they know them (and their problems) like the back of their hand. -- OK, enough advertising! LOL!

Jose