E320 CDI Estate W211 2004 54 Remote Locking

[REVILLP]

Hi, have a E320 CDI '54 Estate, first post can anyone advise on the remote central locking RF not working & at the same time the AM / LW radio has lost signal and the FM signal is weak. The IR remote central locking will work, after a while, waving the key at the drivers door handle IR receiver. Thanks

 

[television]

Hello yes it will be the RF amp in C pillar, or possibly a wire inner core broken

 

[REVILLP]

Thanks Malcolm, the alarm also went at the same time (indicators still flash but no alarm)would you know if this is related; is the RF amp easy to get / low cost at or is it one that the experts need to tackle?

 

[television]

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GA=722.626&CT=F&cat=64V&SID=82&SGR=345&SGN=18

It is worth checking the fuses in the rear box,,I can take a better look later in the day and print out any info for you

 

[REVILLP]

Thanks again Malcolm will have a look at the fuses tomorrow; would you know if the alarm and the radio RF share the same fuse?

 

[television]

I do not think that they do,,the alarm fuse is up front and the amp is in the rear,,I am quite sure on this

 

[turbopete]

Malcolm, does the 211 have the same problems as others with alarm siren failures?

 

[REVILLP]

Further investigation...

I have now had a chance to look at this further and have the following to solve;-

remote central locking not working
AM and LW radio has no signal
alarm not sounding
FM radio signal weak
rear washer - working but not as usual - trickle not a spray


Found a copy (tried to attach but too large!!!!)) of the layout for the rear n/s wing fuse box behind the trim and this seemed to point to fuse F008 (Antenna Module and Anti theft control module); this was blown so I replaced but unfortunately this has blown again.
Looked further at the rear washer prob by removing the rear o/s trim and the washer water pipe had come disconnected (just about visible / accessible in the top left corner as you look from inside the car). Probably a result of the bad weather and freezing pipe? Re-connected the two pipes and the rear washer is now back to a spray not trickle but the foam lining and surrounding area are very wet...will leave to dry out for a while and then try a new F008 fuse again. Hope I am on the right track as I think all these probs are connected. Any thoughts?

 

[television]

The amps go short circuit and you are on the right track,,you will have to replace i think

 

[REVILLP]

Thanks Malcolm, do you think that these faults are all related and leaving to dry out and then trying a new F008 fuse might possibly do the trick ...

 

[television]

Thanks Malcolm, do you think that these faults are all related and leaving to dry out and then trying a new F008 fuse might possibly do the trick ...

If the amp has got damp,, then the box needs to be opened to see if there is any green corrosion present on the PCB track.

If it is heavily contaminated then I would not bother with it,,if only a little, then use lighter fuel and an old toothbrush then put it on a heater to dry out,, you may be lucky,,but we have RF components in these boxes, and a little more tricky to deal with

 

[MB partsman]

Thanks Malcolm, do you think that these faults are all related and leaving to dry out and then trying a new F008 fuse might possibly do the trick ...

washer jet piping leaking, trim and electrics wet....... I would say they are related - very common on estates, and hatchbacks.
moral of the story, don't use washer's around freezing, the rears are not heated!

 

[REVILLP]

Any help appreciated on where the RF Amp is, how to get to it and what it looks like? Thx

 

[television]

I should be able to print the info off that you need later in the day

 

[REVILLP]

Looking good..

This is looking good...I left the estate tailgate open to try and dry the wet areas in yesterdays sun with the rear o/s trim removed and the foam lining exposed as much as possible finished off with a hair dryer on slow heat!!!!...put a new F008 7.5 fuse in the rear n/s fuse box, and switched on...success

AM/LW radio working
FM now strong signal
remote locking RF ok
Alarm working
Rear washer now with a spray not trickle

Cost 7.5A fuse 69p ...
Will keep an eye on that rear washer joint(might be worth some waterproof tape around it but a bit awkward to get at )

Thanks everyone for the advice and agree DO NOT USE THE REAR WASHER WHEN minus 0c but why put a water pipe with a joint above electrics.

 

[television]

What a nice post above,,I will go and do some work

 

[nylevets]

HI malcolm i have the same problum as revillp and i did what you said i looked at the fuse but it is ok . this all started about a month ago when i had water over flow from the windscreen into the drivers foot well. any other ideas

 

[LSD]

Will keep an eye on that rear washer joint(might be worth some waterproof tape around it but a bit awkward to get at )

Joints are best remade with some good quality clear silicone (be careful not to block the pipes). It gives a very strong joint when dried that will withstand the pressure of the pump when the water can't flow if frozen. Saves a lot of heartache! I always put small hoses together this way on washer systems and have never had one fail so far.

The little spring clips work initially but corrode and weaken over time, and can eventually cut into/rot the pipe and cause leaks.

Using about a 50-50 mix of additive on our vehicles, I've had no washer freezing at all though, over this cold period.

 

[franks]

wow

Hi REVILLP,

you have just described the EXACT same problem i have to the letter! even replacing the 7.5A fuse and having it blow straight away! amazing.

i didn't even realise there was a rear washer in the car i'll have to check and see if the surrounds of the fuse box are wet and causing mine to short aswell!

thanks for posting your problem and diagnosis!