Lights not working

[Starapple]

Not sure if I am posting in the right section.

I have a C180 CGI Exec Saloon bought in Sept 2010.

The car has been acting up somewhat.

First it tells me it needs a service even though it did not as not have done the miles or the time. This was a couple of weeks ago and the dealership reset it.

(Standing in front of the car) Last week the right brake light stopped working according to the info on the dash board but it is working. So I was annoyed and called the dealership and they said its just some setting and it needs to be plugged into a computer and then it went over my head. However as I work over 200 miles away from my dealership and the guy who does the computer was not in yesterday I thought I can leave it until next weekend. However during the week the dashboard tells me my front left dipped light is not working. I checked in the evening and it was working. So again not very happy but not too worried as the light was working. Then 2 days later I see that both lights have stopped working.

So... being an enterprising woman I called Mercedes and they said I can replace the bulbs myself as it would be a lot cheaper. I looked at it and thought, yup, can do myself. So bought the bulbs I need and replaced them but except for the one in the front the other in the back is not working (yesterday). Actually looking at the bulbs only the long front one was blown.

This morning I want to go to the supermarket the right blinker is blown.

What is going on? are the electrics going? Or could it be a fuse? I looked at the blinker bulb and its not blown. At least it does not look like its blown and the orange glass colour is clear (no smudges etc indicating a blown bulb).

I need the car to get to work every day and with the festivities Mercedes is closed until Wednesday. I am worried that other electrical things go wrong like the power steering or such when on the motorway.

I now called Mercedes Benz assist. I just hope they can sort it and do not lumber me with a massive bill.

But what could be causing this problem with the lights?

Star

 

[Dieselman]

This sounds like you have either a battery issue or the front and rear SAM are playing up.
For one to go faulty isn't unknown, but both together seems a bit of a long shot.

 

[st13phil]

I think Dieselman's on the money with a SAM fault. There was another W204 owner who posted about very similar problems a short while back (I wish I could find the post ) and I seem to remember that was the cause.

Your car is under warranty so don't worry about the cost, but you do need to get it to your dealer for diagnostics and repair.

 

[Starapple]

Thanks for the replies.

The Assist man was here and it seems that there is a fault with some earthing device which is a known fault with some models. I don't need to worry about the power steering as its manual, i.e. on a different or a completely different system.

I don't know what a SAM is so cannot comment. Dont know all these technical terms.

The lights are all working but the computer thinks they are not.

Also the cigarette lighter in the front is not working, forgot to mention that, but not to the assist guy. As my Ipod and the phone charger stopped working. But they do work if plugged into the plug in the glove compartment.

So something about weak earthing, needs a rewiring, known issue (then why not recall or fix at the first service it had last year.....

I am getting a new car to drive until they sort it all out as its all under warranty. I am so not used to have a new "well used to be new" car. All the cars I had before were well used before I bought them.

Just impressed how quick the assist man was here. Less than an hour after the call.

When I got the car it used to pull to the right a lot. They kept telling me all Mercs pull to the right. I said OK, but not so bad that I have to fight with the steering. Their comment don't let go of the steering wheel and don't drive with one hand. Cheeky buggers. Well in the end the car got realigned and it was way off the mark. So they apologised? Nope.
The whole reason was to get an automatic so that I could drive with one hand/arm as the other shoulder is in constant pain (obviously when I cruise I only use one hand when in pain, if in the city driving I use both). I had a Volvo Sport manual before 12 years old and passed it down to my daughter to hone her beginner driver skills on as its like a tank. But the Merc does not handle as well around curves like the Volvo. I am not yet convinced if it is better than the Volvo. I also had less problems with the old car.

The car is loaded with so many electronics that I don't use 80% of what is in there. I think it could be distracting from driving. I like to be in total control I guess.

But I do like the fact that the assist guy found the fault quickly and arranged everything for me to get it fixed.

 

[Dieselman]

I like to be in total control I guess.

Careful Guys, we have a megalomaniac on board here...

 

[DSM10000]

Careful Guys, we have a megalomaniac on board here...

Just expressing the chromosomal type