This is a cross-post. Just want to get as much educated exposure as possible.


I just purchased my third W201. This one is a '91 2.3. It performs perfectly except for a few very strange electrical gremlins. This is one area of an automobile in which I am completely without competence.

When the ignition is completely switched off, the left side parking lights continue to burn. Playing with the switch causes some other strange things to happen such as firing the right front parking light but the lefts never go out. This is all still in the off position, btw. I'm thinking the switch is bad. I looked under there and saw the wires connected to the monster switch then travel somewhere together wrapped in cloth tape. Is there a simple plug hidden that would make it a simple replacement or do I have to take the individual wires off the old switch and put them "correctly" on a new one.

When cruising down the boulevard, sometimes the wind screen wiper likes to say hello. It will spontaneously go through its motion once or twice. I usually just wave back in amazement.

The third, and most comprehensive, issue is the pulsating lights. When the car is running, all lights constantly pulse from bright to dim. This includes the headlights. I'm thinking voltage regulator or the entire alternator but I don't have a clue where to start. It does keep the battery properly charged.

Could it be that all issues are related? I would love to replace a bad relay or voltage regulator or switch but I'm not so hot on tracing every wire looking for shorts and such. I'll do it if necessary but it will undoubtably require proper medication......lots of good, dark stout.

How about a bad ground. Could this be the culprit?

Obviously, I could use a lot of help. If you have any sparkling ideas or even random thoughts, put them out there. I like this little 2.3 and would like to get it in shape.

Thanks,

Sam