Darn Headlight Wipers

[bwheitman]

Thursday evening I was driving up the tollway and it was dark. I pressed the washer to clean the windscreen, and as you know the headlight washers activated as well. Everything seemed to work fine, but then about a minute later the low-washer fluid light came on. I then smelled something burning, so I got off the road, pulled over and shut off the engine. I went to the front of the car and the little headlight wipers were still on! back and forth they went. I turned off the headlights and they stopped.
After I got home I checked everthing out, the washer pump for the headlight washing system is failed, and the passenger side wiper motor has failed. I returned the wipers to their still position, and removed the fuse to the headlamp washing system and called Mercedes Benz. I was told when I bought my car that all recalls were performed, I understand that this was a recall item. I have searched the site and not found any reference to recalls for the 96 SL320. They are being somewhat evasive to my questions, what should I do? Any ideas? should I get MB to pay for repair, or should I just get it fixed? If anyone has reference to the recall please direct me to it so that I will have documentation when I make my complaint. Thanks Everyone and Happy Benzing!
Regards,
Brian

[jjrodger]

Did you make any progress with this?

Yesterday my car did exactly the same. Whenever I turned on the headlamps (regardless of whether the ignition was on or off, and whether the wipers were on or off) the headlamp wash/wipe pump operated constantly. This means that the washer fluid reservoir empties pretty quickly. The offside (right hand) headlamp wiper appears to be stuck (probably motor burned out). My temporary fix has been to disconnect the wash/wipe pump.

I assume this is a problem with the HCS Relay??

Anyone??

[Pete Geither]

Don't have an idea why that problem would occur, but I eliminated the whole ugly mess before it did.

[omegabenz]

I would suggest that you call 1-800-for-mercedes before talking to the dealer. I think the dealer will just jerk you around. If you called the 1-800 number they might be more willing to fax you the service bulletins and the recall information that you need.

Hope that everything works out for you.

[bwheitman]

Jj Rodger,
HCS Relay? Well that is over my head, I am a mechanical person, electrical stuff overwhelms me. I was told by my dealer that the VIN # showed no recalls for that problem on my car, so I am stuck like chuck! I like those little wipers, I think they are cool, but to see how nice that one looks without them makes me wonder if I should just remove the whole darn system and throw it in the trash. They don't really work too well anyway with that huge molding bump on the headlight. The european models don't have the same headlights, I am sure it is because of some american requirement that the headlights had to be this way. What a bother. I had a headlight bulb burn out too, replacing that was unbelievable, the plastic inside the mount had melted making it almost impossible to remove the bulb from the headlight. I had to remove the whole assembly. The other side need to be replaced too (replace in pairs) but it is melted in there as well. I think the darn headlights were an afterthought due to the US market requirements and that is why we have all these problems.
Brian

[jjrodger]

I called Mercedes but all they suggested was sending out a breakdown truck: not really necessary.

I went to the dealer and--shock, horror, probe--they were very helpful. I spoke to a tech called Rob Lewis who said he was a diagnostic tech from Mercedes (as opposed to a regular mechanic); he knew about these cars than I do, which is a first at the dealer (he showed me his own SL55 AMG). Anyway, he has disconnected the headlamp washer pump and booked me in for work. I still think it is either a connection problem at the pump or a problem with the relay (because the problem only happens when the lights are switched on).

I have xenons and our regulations dictate that we have a headlamp cleaning system with such lights.

[jjrodger]

Update:

I have read elsewhere that one potential cause is that the headlamp wiper needs to be reset. I do not know how to do this although I understand it essentially to involve fitting a new mechanism. The retail price is US$171 and the standard job time 1.6 hours according to Alldata.

[LeaUK]

Hi JJ

From AllDataDIY: - However I thought yours was newer than '94?


Recall - Headlamp Washer Pump

FILE:

SERVICE: GROUP 00 OF SERVICE INFORMATION BINDER

PARTS: GROUP OF INFORMATION - PARTS & ACCESSORIES BINDER

Campaign No.: 96-1113

January 1997

TO: ALL MERCEDES-BENZ PASSENGER CAR DEALERS

SUBJECT:
MODEL 129, MODEL YEAR 1990 THROUGH 1994
HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP

REVISION:
UPDATED NOTIFICATION
PLEASE REPLACE DECEMBER 1996 VERSION WITH THIS VERSION

^ Repair Code 10 deleted
^ Reimbursement Procedure added


Enclosed is a sample copy of a letter which will be mailed in the near future to all owners of vehicles within the Effective Serial Number Range listed below.

This campaign has been initiated because MBAG has determined that if the headlamp washer system is activated with the headlamp wiper arm misaligned (i.e. headlamp wiper arm does not return to a horizontal park position) or lodged in the groove below the headlamp unit, the headlamp washer pump will run continuously expelling all available headlamp washer fluid and possibly leading to a vehicle fire.

WARNING! Headlamp washer pump operation without the presence of washer fluid can cause the headlamp washer pump to overheat and cause a vehicle fire.
A modified headlamp washer pump has been designed.

Therefore, on vehicles within the chassis end number range given in the Effective Serial Number Range table on page 2, the headlamp washer pump must be replaced with the modified headlamp washer pump.

Additionally, any customers whose vehicle falls within the chassis end number range given who have had the headlamp washer pump replaced at their expense on a prior repair, can request reimbursement. These vehicles must be checked regardless. to verify installation of the modified headlamp washer pump, part number 129 869 00 21 (embossed on the headlamp washer pump housing).
Please see W.I. 360A, page 5 for details.

Effective Serial Number Range

Model Chassis End Number Range
From Through

129.061/63/66/67/76 F 000134 F 098702

Approximately 28,000 vehicles are affected.

By law, all unsold new vehicles in a dealer's possession and subject to the recall, must be repaired before owners take possession of these vehicles

[jjrodger]

Thanks Learoy; mine is a 1999 but this describes exactly the symptoms. I assume mine has the revised pump but the motor for the wiper is damaged or something. We shall see on 5 July when the local dealer gets a second chance!

[bwheitman]

Thanks for the info, the same thing happened to me, the pump is fine, but the passenger side wiper motor is blown. Oh well!
Brian

[KenSilver]

For what it's worth, I had mine removed a few months back. Our country has no law that requires wipers with xenons, but even if it did, I would be very reluctant to comply... they are ugly-looking suckers and spoil the clean lines of our 129's!

Hope you get it sorted without too much money going down the drain.

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons: http://www.kensilver.com/SL
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate (my wife's)
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver
~1991 Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather, best in country!
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

[jjrodger]

I have had my headlamp wiper motor (right hand side from inside the car) replaced and the problem is solved.

The part number is 129 820 02 42.
Cost for the job was GBP200.60 at the dealer (including tax).

You have to take the headlamp out to change the motor but other than that it looks a simple job.