W211 E320 cdi - Serious Electrical Problems
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2004
- Messages
- 1,145
- Location
- Leven, Fife / Northampton
- Car
- 2006 320 CDI Avantgarde . 1997 312d Sprinter
Hi
You say car was kept in a garage most of its life. ( Before you had it ? ) Is there any chance that a mouse or rat could have got into the car and chewed away at the wiring? Often from a wooden garage in the garden, as they often live under the floor.
You may need to make a list of everything that is affected and look at the wiring diagram to see where all the faulty items intersect. I hope it is not a dash out job? Best of luck. ( And I just have a faulty fobs that will not unlock the doors to worry about !!)
Steve
You say car was kept in a garage most of its life. ( Before you had it ? ) Is there any chance that a mouse or rat could have got into the car and chewed away at the wiring? Often from a wooden garage in the garden, as they often live under the floor.
You may need to make a list of everything that is affected and look at the wiring diagram to see where all the faulty items intersect. I hope it is not a dash out job? Best of luck. ( And I just have a faulty fobs that will not unlock the doors to worry about !!)
Steve
Something is corrupting the CANbus. You think this happens when indicators used, so I'd go with either the SCM module (steering column, ie connected to the indicator stalks), or the front SAM (connected to the indicators).
I'd edge at slightly the front SAM. They probably need to be coded for what options are on the car, and there are different ones for different ages.
toolman1954 advice is interesting, we've seen lots of cars with some degree of mouse damage and front SAM is in engine bay (its part of fusebox on driver's side), its well sealed and wiring drops down into the car, or is obvious where it leaves the box in the engine-bay so should be easy to inspect. Although I don't think mouse damage would cause such an intermittent fault...
Cheers
Richard
I'd edge at slightly the front SAM. They probably need to be coded for what options are on the car, and there are different ones for different ages.
toolman1954 advice is interesting, we've seen lots of cars with some degree of mouse damage and front SAM is in engine bay (its part of fusebox on driver's side), its well sealed and wiring drops down into the car, or is obvious where it leaves the box in the engine-bay so should be easy to inspect. Although I don't think mouse damage would cause such an intermittent fault...
Cheers
Richard
Thanks very much for all of your suggestions!
I will start by checking out the wiring from the front SAM and then maybe replace the front SAM itself. I did check inside the front SAM and it all looked nice and clean and dry but I never checked the wiring.
I checked the fault codes again yesterday and as I mentioned before, everything seems be be CAN communication errors.
I can't wait to get this problem fixed as it's making me feel nervous about driving the car!
I will start by checking out the wiring from the front SAM and then maybe replace the front SAM itself. I did check inside the front SAM and it all looked nice and clean and dry but I never checked the wiring.
I checked the fault codes again yesterday and as I mentioned before, everything seems be be CAN communication errors.
I can't wait to get this problem fixed as it's making me feel nervous about driving the car!
Joderest
Active Member
I am no expert, so this just a shot in the dark.
When my auto electrician connected his code reader and did an auto test the car did odd things. Radio off and on, heater fan on and off, lights flashed. He said it was the unit looking for any faults. At the end of the read, all returned to normal. Could it be the ECU going into test mode for some odd reason.
When my auto electrician connected his code reader and did an auto test the car did odd things. Radio off and on, heater fan on and off, lights flashed. He said it was the unit looking for any faults. At the end of the read, all returned to normal. Could it be the ECU going into test mode for some odd reason.
- Joined
- May 28, 2004
- Messages
- 1,797
- Location
- Essex
- Car
- 1984 500SL, 2007 E320 CDI Sport Estate, 1995 SL320 R129, 2005 SL350 R230
There is a front SAM in the passenger foot well underneath the false floor, this one I believe controls the headlights. If the carpets have been cleaned with water at some stage it can find its way into the front SAM or just general condensation inside the car. I would take a look under there.
ChrisfromGreece
New Member
Hey! I mean it’s a long time since this thread was active but I was wondering if you have solved your issues. I have exactly the same symptoms for the past 10 months or so. Absolutely no luck on finding what’s wrong. I’ve been on three Mercedes specialists and two Mercedes dealers. I’m really starting considering selling the car for parts. I would much appreciate a response!
W1ghty
MB Enthusiast
Probably best start your own thread buddy , the original car is a 2003 E320cdi . Add the details of exactly what has been done to yours and what the faults are
