Keyless problem on SL55

drmw

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Hi chaps - I've seen several posts on this subject but none for R230. A couple of days back when I got out the car the dash warning light came on telling me to check the door - it seemed to get itself in a state of complete confusion, dropping windows when I tried to open with the remote fob, but mild dementia on occasions seems par for the course with this model.
Next day, no warnings, all seemed fine except the driver's door lock button does nothing. The one on the passenger door closes all, unlock fine on both doors & boot.
Visitied local MB dealer this morning for some light relief - the service guy has incredible remote diagnostic powers - didn't need to get out of his seat, didn't even even let me finish & quoted north of £300 to fix (usual main dealer approach - replace units, don't under any circumstances try to repair).
My question - is this likely to be simple electric switch failure / broken wire & if so, any pointers where to start & work back very much appreciated.
 

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Hello and welcome,,I have the same car, so a new friend :D:D

Your fault has not been up before on a 230 but I think that the fault will be on the drivers door handle, but I would like to do a check a little later in the day.

What ever the fault is I can give you all of the info and work sheets for fixing it, and I will post back
 
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drmw

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Many thanks in advance Malcolm - looks like a happy weekend in store!
David
 

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Every thing points towards a faulty handle,,the window dropping is thinking that the door is open.


I can send you the removal papers and for the door liner.

A search here on the forum would bring up a few 220 S class cars that have had the same problem.

You could get an indie with STAR to confirm, but I am very sure
 
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The window dropping (& seat cooling) was only once & to be honest, that might have been when I was using the key to lock/unlock & get the thing to behave itself. I also tried resetting the remote key in the same session - as you'll know if you hold down the unlock button on the keyfob, it unlocks, then drops the roof & switches on the seat fan, so that is probably a red herring - it certainly hasn't happened since.
Just the wretched button won't lock the car!
My own gut feel, for what it's worth, is that the button or wiring is at fault - time will tell!!
Thanks again for the assistance
 

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It is the handle
 
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drmw

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Thanks again Malcolm - without appearing any dumber than I already am, do you mean the handle itself, or the button, or the wiring to/from or a combination?

I presume the door panel needs to come off for starters so any advice on that would be appreciated.

How do you send stuff if you have something that would be of help?

cheers
David::Oops:
 

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put you email address in your profile and click save at the bottom of the page. Then I can send you what ever you need

The handles only come complete this upsets people unless you can take it off and fix it.

We do have 2 post about this regarding keyless go handles

One was for a 220 and I am still trying to find it
 
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drmw

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more clues!

Something that slipped my mind when putting the original post together -the day after the problem appeared, I went to the car, unlocked by touching the handle, got in & went to start the car (in keyless mode). The right display then said "Key still in vehicle" - duuuh, yes, as is the driver too.

Car started ok. On reflection (& reading) this message should only appear when I was outside trying to lock & the key was indeed still in the car. This would indicate the lock was trying to engage itself.

Assuming the button in the external handle that seems at fault "makes" a circuit when being pressed, then perhaps there is/was some contamination, water, etc inside it that closed the circuit.

Off the see if there is any way to get a blast of WD to the wretched button - will advise if successful
 
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Sorted!

On close inspection, the square button you press is an intrinsic part of the slightly larger surround set into the handle

Except where there's a pin hole because the material has hardened & separated, allowing water ingress.

Pulled the "inner" away slightly, blasted some WD & it's working.

Then some ultra careful application of transparent flexible silicone sealant (kitchen stuff) just behind the button & round the edges with the outer surround - the movement of the button itself is only a couple of mm, so this should hold in place & maintain a watertight seal.

Another example of poor design / materials that cost a fraction of a penny at manufacturing stage facing the owner with a potential £350 bill.

There's a similar issue with the switch to lower/raise the roof - it should have a transparent red strip on the leadng edge. Mine doesn't - the previous owner somehow lost it. Unfortunately, the red strip also forms part of the "clip" to hold the top & bottom parts together, so mine occasionally decides the two parts need to live separately. No great problem, just annoying. Go to MB - needs a whole switch at about £200. For the record, mine is just over 30k miles with full main dealer history, immaculate, so it hasn't been neglected. If anyone knows where I can source the switch lever/handle itself, I'll be really happy to hear from you!

Malcolm - thanks for the input, helped me a lot to pinpoint.

All the best
David
 

television

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Pleased that you have sorted it out. Keyless go can give the odd funny message. this would be more so when the door lock was not working as the car did know that the door was closed.

I will keep my eyes open for that roof switch
 


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