Luxury cars like Mercedes-Benz are especially known for the quality of engineering and design that is behind their manufacturing. Consumers are drawn to the Mercedes brand because their reputation precedes them—in a good way. While Mercedes cars are durable and well-made, they still run into their fair share of problems over their lifetime. It’s important for Mercedes drivers to remain aware of the common issues these cars typically experience.
One such issue that Mercedes cars run into is electrical problems—more specifically, electrical connector failure. Electrical problems in cars are commonplace, especially as cars age. In this article, you’ll learn more about what an electrical connector does for your car, the common causes of electrical connector failure, the symptoms to look for, and what you can do to make sure your Mercedes stays in good working order for years to come.
The electrical components in your car all work together in order to establish an electrical circuit, which powers various systems in your vehicle. An electrical connector in a car is responsible for joining wiring at different terminals, creating a strong circuit of energy that can flow freely from one area to the next, generating and dispersing power to the different parts, systems, and components of your vehicle. Your car relies heavily on wiring and electrical connectors to perform at all, so when electrical components such as connectors begin failing, it can be really problematic.
There are a few typical causes of electrical connector failure in Mercedes cars, and sometimes they are inevitable, but can be replaced before more significant problems arise. These are the two most common reasons for connector failure:
When wiring is exposed to the outer elements, like moisture and fluctuating temperatures, it takes a toll on the various components of your car. Combined with a few other circumstances, like the age of the vehicle, your Mercedes’ electrical components might be more susceptible to corrosion.
As cars age, the wiring begins to deteriorate as it is exposed to high temperatures frequently and outdoor weather. More often than not, the insulation surrounding the wiring begins to deteriorate, making the electrical connector ineffective.
While almost any area of your car can be affected by electrical problems, in Mercedes vehicles there are a specific few areas that are known to experience issues due to electrical connector failure.
Transmission wiring connectors affect the transmission significantly—especially in older Mercedes cars. The most common symptom of this problem is hard shifting. The transmission is essential for your car’s overall functioning and performance; therefore the issue should be addressed right away.
Another component often affected by electrical connector failure are the taillights. It is common for them to begin to dim rapidly, or fail all together. While this might seem miniscule to drivers compared to transmission issues, it is illegal to drive without working taillights, and it can be highly dangerous to drive your Mercedes when the taillights aren’t working well.
Glow plugs in a diesel engine rely heavily on wiring and electrical connections in order to work properly in the ignition or combustion processes. When glow plugs aren’t working properly, you might have difficulty even starting your car. Make sure to have any starting problems or noticeably diminished power issues checked out by a professional right away.
Mercedes cars are worthy of the most specialized, skillful care—and so are their drivers. Here at Pro Car Mechanics, we serve a diverse population of Mercedes drivers from all over the areas of Gardena, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Glendale, and Anaheim, CA. Known for our expertise working with German-made cars like Mercedes, we pride ourselves on our exceptional work ethic and high standards of customer service. Additionally, we tailor our prices to our clientele, offering rates up to 30% lower than nearby dealerships and specialty shops. If you are experiencing symptoms of electrical connector failure in your Mercedes, please call us to schedule an appointment, or stop by to meet our friendly, knowledgeable staff and learn more about our philosophy working with luxury vehicles like Mercedes-Benz.
* Mercedes SLS GTs amg image credit goes to: Andrius Kaziliunas.