99 E320 fast turn signals
 

My cousin has a 99 E320 wagon. The turn signals flash quickly like a bulb is out. Autobahn MB in Redwood City, CA has checked the car several times and said all is fine. Maybe so but that's not how it was delivered new. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Does the car have, or has it ever had a trailer hitch? Fast signals with good bulbs usually indicates a heavy duty relay has been installed, normally for a trailer and its turn signals.

Good question. This car might have a tow package if it was available from MB. It wouldn't have a self-installed or U-Haul tow package, that's for sure.

Thanks,
Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

There is no flasher. The signals flash fast to simulate what a car does that DOES have a flasher when a bulb is out, namely it flashes fast. There is a bulb out, or a bulb with improper wattage. Are there any non-MB bulbs in the car, in particular any wrong color bulbs such as a blue bulb, etc? Probably what the problem would be in this case.

Gilly

Interesting, Gilly. Now I really have to ask you how a modern Mercedes copes with the added electrical load of a trailer? I was thinking of adding a discreet hitch to my C280 to pull an occasional utility trailer.

Wish i had a good answer for you. I never really saw very many MB's other than ML's that had a hitch installed, so not sure. I think they will compensate OK for the added load, it's when they're not loaded enough (low current draw) is when they flash fast like this. Not 100% sure though.
Gilly

sixto

I had the same problem a few months ago ( not on my M-B ! ).
Turned out to be a poor ground connection. FWIW. ;)