[RonnieT]

I am currently having a range of problems with the car, here we go:

Headlights switch on and off randomly even though switch is on OFF. When I try to flash it wont work but when I push the lever forward to put main beams on it flashes but the headlights turn off main beams come on.

When the lights turn off the wipers come on and the reverse sensor above the window lights up.

The head unit will randomly just turn off, some days it is fine, sometimes will turn off every now and then and sometimes every few seconds will switch on and off.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[trip3ace]

Well i wish i could help with all your problems but it sounds like you need to take it to a professional to have it diagnosed. The headunit on the other hand is probably dying. This is a major problem with the gen 1 headunits. Mine does it as well. Some days the screen will work perfectly while other days it wont even turn on. There is a chance though it could be a result of your other wiring problems.

 

[jackwalton]

At a guess would suspect some kind of problem with the fuse box under the bonnet. Its realy much more than a fuse box as there are plenty of electronics in there. It may be worth while having a good inspection of the area for signs of obvious corrosion or problems. Also check the underside of the box for obvious problems. The whole box hinges up to allow you to have a good look around.


Hope you get it sorted OK

 

[MADDOG]

Make sure your electrical connections at the battery in the trunk, and at the aux post next to the fusebox under the hood are tight, clean and not corroded.

Then load test your battery.

You will also want to check the main harness connector to the PCM on the right side of the vehicle near the cowl.

Lastly, the headlight problems you described hint at a failing headlight selector switch. It's not an uncommon problem.

 

[RonnieT]

Is it difficult to change the headlight selector switch. It has a mind of its own at the moment for example when I haven't even put the light on it comes on auto and switches of but when I try to flash main beam it won't work.

When I do switch the headlight on and flash using the main beam the headlight switches off and main bean flashes where's as the headlight is supposed to be on when I flash the main light of that makes sense.

When the head unit swithxnon and off the parking sensor light flashes and sometimes when I put the car in reverse the side mirrors go up and down

 

[Anders Gabrielsen]

did you fix the electric problem on your car? have the same problem on my 300c now

 

[PKucinski]

Do what Maddog said. I had similar problems with my headlights. they'd Turn off completely while driving down a back road with lots of twists and turns and no street lights. Changed out my switch for the headlights and never had a problem since.

 

[Matt Crooke]

Try this....

Hi there. Did you get this sorted at all? If not, its a really common problem, and thankfully the fix is easier than changing a tail light bulb!

Pop the bonnet, head towards the washer bottle, then you will notice a black box screwed to the drivers side wing (UK model). Its labelled HIDT or HID Translator module.

Unplug this, and hey presto, the problem will vanish. This will stop a lot of weird electrical gremlins such as wipers sweeping on their own, parking sensors lighting up when your driving forwards, radios cutting out, and indicators missing clicks when turned on.

The HID module is the first one inline from the ECU, and when this develops a fault, it transmits that fault all the way down the line. Really annoying. Now then, the only facility that you will lose by unplugging this module, is if an HID bulb blows, you wont be notified on the dashboard. However its not hard to tell you have a bulb out anyway, so theres no problem.

Some say this box also controls the automatic headlamp levelling.... It dosent, the levelling still works fine. The levelling system on the 300 is quite an old design, and as such wasnt compatible with the OBD system. The translator box receives the non OBD compliant error codes, and translates them into ODB compliant ones, so the StarScan tool can read them. Again, if you do develop a fault with the headlights, or the levelling, plug this in again, otherwise the enginner wont be able to read the codes. Other than that leave it unplugged, and the electrical gremlins vanish. I hope this helps.

CHeers

 

[MattCrookeismyhero]

Matt Crooke you are my F*****g hero, that little pice of S**t box has plagued me for months.

Happy days, peace and love may the winds bee in your back!

A true legend amongst men!