Turn signal flasher
 

Hello I just got a 1980 280SE euro W126. Among the few problems that I have is the turn signals are not working. The hazard lights are not working either. I did a search and cycled the hazard switch several times very firmly. Where is the flasher? I would like to try to spray it out with contact cleaner before replacing it. Does it also goes thru a relay as well? I have had good luck with cleaning contacts on relays in the past. Which relay is it as the car did not come with an owners manual. I have not gotten a manual for this car yet. I checked and cleaned all the fuse contacts and all fuses look ok. Thanks for any help. The center console is half apart because the previous owner took out his after market indash.

The flasher is the switch.

But where is the flasher unit? I believe it is behind the instriment panel but where? Do I have to pull the gauges out? That would not be the end of the world because I could find out why the tach and the clock are not working. Or is it behind the panel above the stereo, looked back there but could not find it. Not connected to the back of the hazard switch as suggested elsewhere.

On the early W126 cars the flasher is behind the speedo/ inst cluster.

I'm sorry. I misread your post and assumed it was a 123 chassis.

Thanks M.B. Doc, that is what I figured. Have a great day. I know what I am doing this weekend.

The hazard switch may be bad. Pull it out and check for burn marks or resistance. It is easy to do before investing $ on the flasher. I assume that you check the corresponding fuse with a test lamp, not by "look ok".

David

I have 300TD Wagon with same problems. no turn signals, flashers or radio. Fuses ok. What did you do?

In my case it boils down to 2 likly candidates. The flasher switch (it broke when I had it out so I do not know if it was working before :rolleyes: ) and then the flasher relay. The flasher relay is in diferent spots on different cars. On the W126 it is behind the dash just to the left of the steering colum. It can be reached from underneath but I took out the gauges, made it a bit easier. My relay had dirty contacts so I cleaned them but have to get a hazard switch to find out if it is working.

It hould be your hazards light switch! Try replacing that first.