Many, many electrical issues. '06 C230 sport.

[Chuck.Blue25]

I find myself in a position where I have to try and fix a problem likely caused by my nephew and stepfather attempting to jumpstart my deceased mother's C230 with the cables reversed while I was out of town for a month. Car ran PERFECTLY prior to me leaving other than having an ESP fault on the dash. Both parties involved admitted to their mistake and simply gave up after they failed. I came home to find the car sitting with the doors unlocked, the airbox cover off, the wipers up (though the switch was off) and the battery completely drained. The second I put my charger on the battery the alarm started blaring, the windshield wipers started going, and the washer motor started spraying continuously and the lights came on. Key was NOT in the ignition. I disconnected the horns and played with the stalk trying to get the wipers off and the washer to stop; no luck. I DID get the car to fire off; it runs fine. That stopped the wipers, but not the washer motor. I cycled the car on and off and it successfully cranks, but the washer motor would not stop. Ultimately, I turned the car off and put the battery on my charger. The tail lights would NOT turn off no matter what position I put the headlight knob on. I decided to disconnect the battery and try again the next day .

Well, here I am today and here's what I am currently dealing with:

-reconnected battery and tail lights, with center brake light bar illuminated come on and stay on as do headlights.
-no highbeam/lowbeam function
-no washer motor running this time
-no "wipers gone wild"
-blinkers do not work
-wipers work
-wiper wash motor works
-instrument cluster reads "Display malfunction, visit workshop" and "battery alternator, visit workshop" and "Speedtronic, drive to workshop"
-check engine light is on
-radio works fine
-AC works fine
-windows go up and down fine
-central door locks work fine.
-remote trunk release does not work

Now here's my main problem that I hope someone can help me with: I cannot find a relay or a fuse to pull in order to disable the tail/brakelights so that I can let the car sit without disconnecting the battery and having it fully discharge again. I've checked all three fuse box schematics and can't find what I need. I reasonably certain that these idiots fried the front SAM when they jumped the car backwards, but that's only speculation at this point. My stepfather has dementia and we are only keeping this car as a "worst case scenario" option for him if he can't get ahold of anyone else in an emergency. I at least need this car to car to crank and run without having to first reconnect the battery. I can't do that if I can't get the lights to stay off.

Thanks in advance. It would REALLY help me if you could just respond via my e-mail: chuck.blue25@gmail.com

Chuck Blue
Opelika, AL
2006 C230 Sport
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[ajlsl600]

4 sure that would pxxx electrics off. They are temperamental enough when connected up right.
Meanwhile you cud just unplug the back lights. Now you can charge batt without drain
Now get it on diagnostics and see what going on. Ignoring for time being anything to do with rear lighting. If ur lucky you can clear historic error and, or see if Sam has been cremated. On modern cars just don't jump it until u hav read and understood owners handbook ref jump starting.

 

[Chuck.Blue25]

Update: I disconnected the tail lights yesterday, but that did not solve the center brake light problem so I just got done pulling the trunk liner and disconnected the center brake light. I thought I was good to go at that point, but after listening closely under the hood I found that there was an electric pump mounted directly in front of the coolant fill/overflow bottle on the right front fender that was also constantly running. Again: who knows what's up with THAT? I'm assuming it's part of the same problem that's plaguing the lights, blinkers, hi/low beams, etc. I disconnected that pump and labled it to remind myself (or whoever deals with it next) to reconnect it before running it. Car cranks are runs just fine with it disconnected by the way. I'm going to wildly assume it's a pump to purge the coolant lines of air; I can't believe for a second that this would be the actual water pump for the car.

Again: this car ran perfectly a month ago and I can't get a straight answer out of either my stepdad (77 y/o with dementia) or my 34 year old nephew on why they needed to jumpstart the car in the first place and, second: why in the world did they pull the filter housing off to access the battery when the jumpstart post is RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF IT?? The damage is done at this point. I'm just trying to pick up the pieces.

Where is the ODB port on this car? I've got a scanner in my truck.

Thanks again in advance

 

[Blobcat]

Sounds like fried SAM

 

[ajlsl600]

Under drives side upper footwell or under bonnet in visable area if round type.

 

[ajlsl600]

Under drives side upper footwell or under bonnet in visable area if round type.