SAMs, Battery, brake switch or what?

[soonxmercs]

New to posting threads having joined almost two years ago. At that time I became frustrated with my March 2001 CL55 AMG hence the name - soonxmercs. Purchased from a Mercedes 'stealer' in Dec 2004 and regularly MB serviced I formed the view that these cars are far too sophisticated for MB mechanics. With the bulk of depreciation behind I've been unable to part company with the beast.

A beast it has become. Last Saturday, after driving a few hundred yards the 'Display Defective - Visit Workshop' warning illuminated followed by the intermittent loss of numerous functions. In no particular order satnav, cd, fuel guage, washers/wipers, outside temp/clock/gear setting, indicators, power windows, heating and lights went and came. Other malfunctions listed were, side marker light RH(?), washer fluid - check level and low beam fault - check lamp. The parking brake warning - 'brake' - was intermittently illuminated on the dash. Chip Card Not Recognised also featured.

The battery and alternator were renewed in June 2010 (MB), however, in Feb this year after 10 days at Gatwick the battery was flat. A few weeks ago after sitting for a week or so the battery was again flat. Checking here for similar problems I have lifted the passenger side carpet and all seems bone dry - some cobwebs all intact!

Mercedes couldn't fit me in until 2 January so I am willing to try any simple solution such as brake pedal switch or new battery. MB seem to think it's SAMs.

Apologies for the longwinded first effort thread (more omitted!) but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes to all this Xmas.

 

[television]

Yes I think SAM problems and we had another with the same thing yesterday.

When a SAM get damp or just packs up the memory can go and the EIS the master puts out a call to self check a range of things, If the SAM cannot remember where they are then silly meaningless messages will come up.

Often when it is a SAM the EIS will find them once the CAN has gone quiet, and all priority checks done. The EIS will continue to send out on the CAN and many thing are found after say 15 mins driving, turn off and you are back to square one.

The other car lost all info in the Comand and the heating controls, and possibly more.

You are choosing an expensive route by going to MB when a good indie could be so much cheaper

 

[shine]

Colin/sam-unit at MBS will sort it for you, top technician regarding this problem, and no rip off prices.

MBS...PHONE..02380 407359

 

[soonxmercs]

Battery, brake switch or what?

Gents, Television & Shine, many thanks for swift response.

Where/who are MBS? I'm in Chelmsford, Essex.
Battery again flat today and shouldn't be. Had also lost soft door closing, boot opening from door switch and maybe one or two other functions.
The floor beneath the passenger carpet, channel, looms etc., is bone dry. Where is the other SAM?

Thanks again.

 

[television]

You have a SAM each side in engine compartment and a rear one in the boot.

The car is probably not going to sleep right now, or you have something pulling current when turned off.

You could pull the soft close fuse and pop it in again to see if the soft close is restored

 

[whitenemesis]

Gents, Television & Shine, many thanks for swift response.

Where/who are MBS? I'm in Chelmsford, Essex.
Battery again flat today and shouldn't be. Had also lost soft door closing, boot opening from door switch and maybe one or two other functions.
The floor beneath the passenger carpet, channel, looms etc., is bone dry. Where is the other SAM?

Thanks again.

It would be well worth your time/fuel to make the trip down to see Colin, Dave et al down in Southampton. Many make the distance just for regular services!

http://www.mbsofsouthampton.co.uk/

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/member.php?u=29766

 

[television]

Not wanting to start any war here but I think that Alex is closer to the OP

This fault is electronics and Alex is red hot on this type of fault, and has the equipment to analyze it all

 

[whitenemesis]

There are indeed many worthy indies out there but the question asked was where/who are MBS.

This has been answered

 

[television]

There are indeed many worthy indies out there but the question asked was where/who are MBS.

This has been answered

Yes I saw that thank you, but had Alex been mentioned, then he could have been considered as well for this fault

 

[soonxmercs]

Thanks again gents.
TBH I'm dreading the 6 mile trip to Waterhouse MB Chelmsford. It's likely that all lights will be flashing intermittently and singly and all other electricals, including heating, washers, wipers and indicators will be switching on and off. Having said that I would be interested in contact details for Alex as there were other pre-existing electrical problems that stumped MB at the last service. These were the SRS warning light permanently lit, the LH front fog not lighting on opening the vehicle but working when switched on! Also the RH front headlight appearing dim and yellowish intermittently.
As advised I lost faith in MB dealers some time ago but having had the vehicle 8 years and 93,000 miles - now 120k on the clock - it seems a shame to part company!!

 

[television]

Alex is in Stowmarket and very good with electronics, one of the best you will find. Alex understands electrical faults, one of the few in the country that really do

 

[soonxmercs]

Thanks, I'll call Alex and make the trip if he can do something prior to 2 January. I'll keep you posted!

 

[Alex Crow]

Sadly not, Alex Crow being closed until the 2nd of January - sorry about that.

We will be ready to help then, if it is not too late, and can offer a loan car (nothing too special) for the period if needed, equally we are next door to Stowmarket's busy main line train station if that works better.

Email me if this helps, but will understand if you need it fixing sooner!

And #3 here for MBS too, one of a very few garages I am happy to recommend.

 

[soonxmercs]

Thanks for the offer but I'll honour the Waterhouse MB booking.

The car will need a jump and even this short journey has little appeal. If past performance is anything to go by there will be outstanding issues and I will be in touch in the very near future.

Enjoy your break and thanks again.

 

[spock500]

Some of symptoms you describe could be attributed to a loose earth?

The battery may appear to be drained but could in fact not be receiving a charge on an intermittent basis.

Start with the battery clamps, remove and clean turrets then re-fit. Check the various earth leads around the vehicle especially the one fitted to the engine block.

 

[soonxmercs]

Finally replaced the battery about three months ago and that seems to have cured the problem! The 'old' battery had a dent in the base. On returning the battery to the dealer they confirmed its' premature demise, the original battery lasted 9 years, but advised that "the dent was not in the same area as the dead cell and as such could not be the cause of its' demise and that it was now outside the guarantee period by a few months." At no time did they offer an apology for fitting a damaged battery which I find particularly disappointing. After twenty years with the marque it is now time to part company as I have no faith whatsoever in my local MB dealers.
I will write to MB Customer Services listing several instances of maltreatment I have suffered at the hands of MB dealers but do not anticipate any good will come of it as I will by then have completed my defection to Porsche and BMW.
I have received the usual derisory offer in part exchange so if anyone wishes to buy a CL55 AMG with a few electrical problems beyond the wit of MB dealers, please let me know!