Central Locking & Digital Display

[sebanelli]

Greetings all. My first post upon joining today. I bought my first MB last weekend ( a V-reg A170 CDI in metallic green) and have a couple of niggling problems that I need to sort out. Firstly, I noticed that the digital mileometer/trip counter in the centre of the display cluster doesn't illuminate (I can barely read it in daylight) and am assuming that I need a bulb replacement. Is this a fairly easy job for a professional auto-electrician to do? I wouldn't have a clue or the gumption to try it myself!!
Second, I can activate and shut off the alarm system using my key fob but am unable to centrally lock the car doors. I can lock the drivers door with the key but the passenger doors need to be locked individually from inside the car by pushing the lock pins down. Any ideas what the problem might be?
Apart from that, I absolutely love the car (and especially the fuel consumption, having changed over from a 2.3 ltr Volvo 940 Estate!). Many thanks in advance.

 

[Dieselman]

Check the vacuum pump (PSE) under the boot floor is working, it sounds like it's not. It may be water damaged.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=547112&postcount=11

 

[sebanelli]

Thanks Deieselman - you were spot on! I took the car back to dealers I bought it from and they had it looked at. The pump was absolutely soaking and sat in a puddle of water in its housing. Consequently, we need a replacement pump which they are now looking out for. Got a few quotes from net breakers/retailers and it's not half as bad as I was expecting. The digital display is also now up and running - simple bulb replacement. Relief all round! BTW, is water damage a common problem on these pumps? We are at a bit of a loss as to where the water came from in the first place.

 

[Dieselman]

The water will either be a leaking rear washer pipe or the tailgate seal is leaking.

Did you strip the pump as it may just be jammed up.?

 

[sebanelli]

No. I've found a replacement thru on online breakers for £65 so that should do the trick, fingers crossed. Apparently, my old pump is VERY coroded. The foam casing it sits in was absolutely sodden - goodness knows how long it had been like that! Is the leaking washer or tailgate a common problem with A Class cars?