SJC-CLK
New Member
Hi,all. This is my first post, I am new to the club and forums in general so I apologize in advance if I accidentally break any rules or post something in the wrong place.
I have had a liking for old Mercs. for quite a long time now and a few weeks ago i was seduced by the lovely looks of a 2001 CLK 320 cabriolet. In general it seemed very good so I brought it. A couple of weeks ago I took it for a holiday to the South of France where it behaved very well no problems at all. My first day back at work last week I was about to set off home and noticed that the left indicators were on. thinking I must have knocked the stalk I went to cancel the indicators but the stalk was central. I could get right indicators or left indicators but not, no indicators. After fiddling about for a bit I discovered that If I moved the stalk very slowly, then the right would take over suddenly with no gap and at this point the smallest movement would select either left or right. I decided that I had to get it home so set off from work. after a few yards I went over a pot hole and the indicators stopped. Great I thought but as soon as I used the indicators the fault returned.
It sounds like just a little problem at first. but it is a real pain driving like that. Hazards for straight on and the indicators for left or right. I stuck to country lanes as much as possible but I still got a lot of attention from other drivers. Yes I know that I am going along with the hazard lights flashing Its because I am a hazard.
I got it home and started to try to find out what is wrong. I lifted up the front fuse box and SAM unit and was very pleased to see that it was like a new car under there. I agitated the plugs and relays etc but to no avail. I couldn't find a rear SAM, just a fuse box. Because the first jolt to the car seemed to cure the problem I am inclined to think that the problem is electro mechanical and not electronic. however since the first pot hole I have not been able to repeat that.
So now I have removed the steering wheel and I have got as far at the clock spring. Because that unit also contains the steering angle encoder and it is critical that it goes back exactly as it came off I have left it until I know better what I am doing. I have read that the unit can be locked in position with a "red pin" I have looked at it but cant see anywhere where I might be able to insert something to lock the clock spring etc.
So I am hoping that someone might be able to help me cure the problem. A diagram of how it all goes together would be a great help. or maybe someone has had the same problem and can tell me what the cure is.
Fortunately I also have a trusty old S202 2.5 turbodiesel to get about in until the problem is cured. I am so pleased that this didn't happen whilst I was in France, that would have been such a nightmare.
I have had a liking for old Mercs. for quite a long time now and a few weeks ago i was seduced by the lovely looks of a 2001 CLK 320 cabriolet. In general it seemed very good so I brought it. A couple of weeks ago I took it for a holiday to the South of France where it behaved very well no problems at all. My first day back at work last week I was about to set off home and noticed that the left indicators were on. thinking I must have knocked the stalk I went to cancel the indicators but the stalk was central. I could get right indicators or left indicators but not, no indicators. After fiddling about for a bit I discovered that If I moved the stalk very slowly, then the right would take over suddenly with no gap and at this point the smallest movement would select either left or right. I decided that I had to get it home so set off from work. after a few yards I went over a pot hole and the indicators stopped. Great I thought but as soon as I used the indicators the fault returned.
It sounds like just a little problem at first. but it is a real pain driving like that. Hazards for straight on and the indicators for left or right. I stuck to country lanes as much as possible but I still got a lot of attention from other drivers. Yes I know that I am going along with the hazard lights flashing Its because I am a hazard.
I got it home and started to try to find out what is wrong. I lifted up the front fuse box and SAM unit and was very pleased to see that it was like a new car under there. I agitated the plugs and relays etc but to no avail. I couldn't find a rear SAM, just a fuse box. Because the first jolt to the car seemed to cure the problem I am inclined to think that the problem is electro mechanical and not electronic. however since the first pot hole I have not been able to repeat that.
So now I have removed the steering wheel and I have got as far at the clock spring. Because that unit also contains the steering angle encoder and it is critical that it goes back exactly as it came off I have left it until I know better what I am doing. I have read that the unit can be locked in position with a "red pin" I have looked at it but cant see anywhere where I might be able to insert something to lock the clock spring etc.
So I am hoping that someone might be able to help me cure the problem. A diagram of how it all goes together would be a great help. or maybe someone has had the same problem and can tell me what the cure is.
Fortunately I also have a trusty old S202 2.5 turbodiesel to get about in until the problem is cured. I am so pleased that this didn't happen whilst I was in France, that would have been such a nightmare.
