Living with an R230

[5w155t0ny]

Evening hive mind

Brain picking time.
I have an R230 350SL, and the head unit has not worked since I got the car two weeks ago.
When I collected it there was a legacy error message in the dash relating to the batteries, which have apparently been changed.
Starter battery was flat, so I took it off and charged it and after refitting, cleared the dtc for the BCM (red dash warning)
Since then, there has been 1 brief reappearance of the red dash warning, which then cleared itself and hasn’t been seen since.
The battery circuit is showing 14.1 volts at idle and whilst driving so looks like the alternator is also playing the game.
Seems a bit unlikely that the head unit is u/s so looking for ideas to fire it back into life.
Handbook gives basically bugger all information as to which fuses should be checked and the location. Have checked the fuses in the rear luggage storage and they are fine, ( however, there is no fuse number 77, which is supposed to be the one for the ICE) so what next?
The car is a 2005 but the facelift with the newer dash, if that helps.

Sorry for the essay, any help appreciated.

 

[teaspoonasaurous]

Slightly embarrassing. I replaced the oil filter on my car (sl350) but I don't think I tightened it enough. drove it yesterday and a large amount of oil has ended up on the belt and tensioners causing the alternator no to spin and also the hydraulic pump to shut down. I'm pretty sure I need to replace the belt and double check the oil filter.

will changing the belt and tightening up the filter fix most of the problems?

Or have I made a serious mistake

 

[00slk]

I'd remove the oil filter again and check the seals, these usually come with new ones, maybe you have doubled up with?

 

[teaspoonasaurous]

I changed the seals when I did the filter! hopefully it's not too major an issue

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Make sure the oil cap seal is in the right groove

 

[teaspoonasaurous]

mystery solved. there was no cap seal, I've put the serpentine belt back on, going to replace the seal. currently showing a battery alternator warning, but I think that could be cleared once the voltage level recovers.
crossing my fingers

 

[teaspoonasaurous]

final update on this. popped a new seal at the top of the oil filter. Went for a quick drive, convenience functions returned, no oil leaks at the filter cap on my return!

mobile mechanic quote to come check it: £150
actual cost to fix it: £5

ps very annoyingly AA refused to comabd have a look on the basis that I had originally changed the filter. So word to the wise, lie to the AA about all DIY

 

[BeansMeansCLS]

Hi all - just saying hello...I've recently picked up an SL55 (previously had a CLS55) and will be creating a build thread soon (I have a giant spreadsheet of to-dos) so will be documenting my journey; previous owner seems to have spent an absolute bomb including new ABC struts and an entire fuel tank replacement

So far everything works apart from the roof which stops halfway through opening, icarsoft shows that it's a limit switch so I'm guessing it's either the fold in flaps (looks okay) or one of the limit switches in the roof (according to the roof diagnostic manual) - will need to remove the headliner and have a dig around tomorrow!

 

[BeansMeansCLS]

Oh and the brakes feel quite...spongy? And no where near as good as my previous CLS (both have SBC). It's had new discs and pads all round and brakes bled using the traditional method (not the proper method on star) but the pedal and stopping power still don't feel quite right? Any ideas?

 

[00slk]

Oh and the brakes feel quite...spongy? And no where near as good as my previous CLS (both have SBC). It's had new discs and pads all round and brakes bled using the traditional method (not the proper method on star) but the pedal and stopping power still don't feel quite right? Any ideas?

No, but I'm guessing they'll need Star to get the pressure correct. My 55 is the same. Had new rear brake hoses fitted by the mot place, and it hasn't been the same since. Though its passed 2 Mot's since.

 

[BeansMeansCLS]

You mean the pressure of the pedal?

The actual SBC system looks fine when I look at data on icarsoft and no fault codes stored on the module. The CLS with SBC felt much more sharper and punchier.

 

[00slk]

Yes, mine is quite spongy too, all the other SBC cars have been sharp and punchier.
But never had an issue with stopping or MoT time.

 

[alexanderfoti]

No, but I'm guessing they'll need Star to get the pressure correct. My 55 is the same. Had new rear brake hoses fitted by the mot place, and it hasn't been the same since. Though its passed 2 Mot's since.

Air is stuck inside the SBC pump, you need to follow the long and arduous DAS proccess to get it out.

 

[00slk]

Air is stuck inside the SBC pump, you need to follow the long and arduous DAS proccess to get it out.

Thank you Alex. Good to know it's not the pump that's starting to fail.

 

[BeansMeansCLS]

Air is stuck inside the SBC pump, you need to follow the long and arduous DAS proccess to get it out.

Would this just be the standard bleed procedure with STAR that any dealer could do?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Essentially yes.

Most of them will have never done it though.

 

[BeansMeansCLS]

Interesting, I got quoted £347 to do it by Mercedes Bedford

 

[00slk]

Interesting, I got quoted £347 to do it by Mercedes Bedford

Worth a call to Stewart and Wisbey in Chettersham or LG in Swaffham

 

[BeansMeansCLS]

Tomorrow I'm tackling the roof, I've located the problem down to the S69/11 switch by following the diagnostics document and monitoring on iCarsoft. I can see the general area that the switch is located in but does anyone know exactly how to get to it? From the below looks like it can be accessed pretty easily?

 

[LostKiwi]

Interesting, I got quoted £347 to do it by Mercedes Bedford

I did mine myself on the driveway using Star. It's a faff but not impossible. I'm near Northampton if it's any use but won't be available till 3rd weekend April.