Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started by: awolff280sl on December 26, 2012, 14:13:25

Title: Odd light situation
Post by: awolff280sl on December 26, 2012, 14:13:25

Just another oddity, noticed by my wife, of course.
I have the US AJ-type headlamp assembly. (The directional signal bulbs are the upgrade P3497, the running lights are the 3886x)
With the running lights on (1st clockwise position) or with the headlights on (2nd clockwise position), there is a difference between the left and right turn signals. When I signal to the right, the turn signal blinks and the running light burns steadily. However when I signal left, the turn signal ALTERNATES blinking with the running light, which is actually a more pleasing situation to me.
In addition, with the use of the 3886x bulbs in the front, only my rear clearance lights work (they are also 3886x). If I substitute at least one original specification bulb in the front for a 3886x, then both front and rear clearance lights will function.
Are there any ideas on this?
(If you haven't seen this, please check with your wives)

Title: Re: Odd light situation
Post by: Cees Klumper on December 26, 2012, 20:37:47

I've come to appreciate that odd light malfunctions are frequently caused by bad ground, so that's what I would check first.

Title: Re: Odd light situation
Post by: awolff280sl on December 27, 2012, 04:01:24

thanks Cees, will do and I'll report back

Title: Re: Odd light situation
Post by: awolff280sl on December 27, 2012, 13:30:35

The grounds appeared to be good, but I re-did them anyway.
Still the same situation.

Title: Re: Odd light situation
Post by: w113dude on December 27, 2012, 13:47:56

Hey Andy,

I had a similar issue with a car recently, it turned out to be the headlight ground the one that is attaches to the side of the radiator (the right one in my case), or it could be that if you had taken the wire connectors below the dash apart is not in place properly or put in upside down, sometimes when those tabs brake off on the wire connectors you can not tell  the right direction. (worth checking)

Title: Re: Odd light situation
Post by: awolff280sl on December 27, 2012, 21:47:05

thanks Dude, but I am only aware of the ground wires in the headlight buckets themselves. I am not aware of a ground attached to my radiator.
I'll be limbering up though to get back under the dash.

Title: Re: Odd light situation
Post by: Benz Dr. on December 27, 2012, 23:52:02

I had a situiation where the signals wouldn't work right until I got the right bulb. I guess the correct draw is important to make the flasher work. Just a thought although grounding problems can cause lots of weird things to happen as well.