Cleaned the car seats, now no dash, steering column electrics.

[Brian23]

On Friday I decided to clean the interior of the car with Vax type upholstery cleaner. Seats came up lovely, everything fine. To day went out to the car and the screen is damp on the inside. Start the car start of and the dash is blank, no lights speedometer etc and the indicators do not work, so yes I have obviously got something wet or it has dripped off the screen. So any answers to this? Where to look? or MAY it just dry out and all work again? Well you can live in hope lol.

 

[EmilysDad]

could be simply a flat(ish) battery after having had all the doors open for so long?

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Disconnect the battery and put it on charge, get some heat in there over night with the windows cracked open, hope for the best. good luck.

 

[umblecumbuz]

How much water did you use in cleaning? If generous with the wet stuff, you may find that some has trickled down to the under-seat connections, of which there are several depending on model spec.
As said, dry out the interior (I use a low wattage greenhouse heater when I need to do this), charge the battery and all should be well.

 

[ajlsl600]

Put a dehumidifier in the car for 2 days, check fuses.no lights on dash maybe main fuse also check/charge batt you may have initiated an overnight drain I had dehumidifier in lovellys a class for 24 hrs as foggy screen ,got three lit out of it.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

As above dry it out and check the fuses for lights, dash and indicators all that moisture may have caused a short somewhere

 

[Brian23]

Hi thank you for the replies. Just in case it makes a difference it is a 2005 E200 estate and I also did the carpets and in the rear luggage compartment. The engine starts easily with a quick turnover. I've just been out to the car again and it is twilight and when I turn the ignition key to position 2 all the head lights, rear lights etc come on. May have used too much water but it is a Vax type vacuum, so the water on the hand held brush seems minimal. Yes only need a drop to fudge things. I will have to check the fuses tomorrow.

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Sounds like some water may have got into a SAM.

 

[Brian23]

Sounds like some water may have got into a SAM.

This is at the back behind the left hand side, yes?

 

[Taffy7hfa]

What model, year etc ?

 

[Brian23]

2005 E200 Estate. I have taken the SAM out removed the side cover and warmed gently with an hair drier. No damp was visible. I will leave it open until tomorrow. Took all the fuses and relays off. No damp noticeable.
Is there a relay for the dash?

 

[Taffy7hfa]

There is a SAM behind the dash on the w211, left hand side adjacent to the door , sometimes the moisture can leave behind corrosion, which can bugger them up .
I recently had an issue with the wipers on the 350 which I believe was/is caused by a corroded SAM.
what I discovered was that when battery is really strong it seems to overcome the issue

 

[Brian23]

There is a SAM behind the dash on the w211, left hand side adjacent to the door , sometimes the moisture can leave behind corrosion, which can bugger them up .
I recently had an issue with the wipers on the 350 which I believe was/is caused by a corroded SAM.
what I discovered was that when battery is really strong it seems to overcome the issue

Hi thank you for your help with this. By left do you mean left sat in the drivers seat? I have removed the cover off the fuse box on the drivers side, but no moisture there. Is it easily accessible?

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Ok, yes left from the drivers seat. Depends how you define easy , I think there may be one (sam) under the fuse/relay board under the bonnet but not sure tbh.

 

[Brian23]

Ok, yes left from the drivers seat. Depends how you define easy , I think there may be one (sam) under the fuse/relay board under the bonnet but not sure tbh.

Thanks again. I will have to take a look. Is there anywhere that says what SAM does what?

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Mercedes electronics are pretty complex , when they twang out they often do all sorts of crazy sh1t, would be worth getting the codes read. for what its worth my money would be on a faulty rear sam.

 

[Brian23]

Mercedes electronics are pretty complex , when they twang out they often do all sorts of crazy sh1t, would be worth getting the codes read. for what its worth my money would be on a faulty rear sam.

Hi yes I will take a look when I refit it.

 

[Brian23]

Well a late reply. Dried the car out with a dehumidifier for a day and all is well and back to normal. No new fault codes.

 

[mioba]

Good stuff OP

 

[Brian23]

Yes when the dash lights up all colours and faults etc and half the controls fail to work it can be a little worrying, but all was fine once dry.