My introduction

[M111KED]

Hello fellow forum contributors,
My name is Mike Daly and I have been a mercedes enthusiast for many years (over 40!).
I have several older cars, an SLK, a CLK, a C class estate and an SL500. All with their idiosyncrasies. However I have a big problem or two with my R230 SL 500 at the moment. The central locking has stopped and the boot won't open and the roof won't operate.
Also when I leave the car the nearside headlight has a glow from it which may be the indicator and when it's running the nearside headlight only is illuminated even when switched off..
Today the wipers have stopped working too although the washers work. Has anyone had a similar issue? Both batteries are new, although the auxiliary one discharges overnight.
Thanks Mike

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

Get some lubricant into the metal key locks and work them back and forth until they operate.

Then open the boot and drive out the electrickery which will no doubt be soaking wet

 

[M111KED]

Thank you Blobcat. The key is moving in the boot lock in both directions but it won't budge .

 

[Blobcat]

Thank you Blobcat. The key is moving in the boot lock in both directions but it won't budge .

Needs to get a full 90’ turn - it’s the last bit that does the opening.
If it’s doing that and still not opening then the mechanism is knackered. Not uncommon unfortunately.
There have been some threads and YouTube videos on how to access the boot when the mechanism isn’t working. It involves some drilling IIRC

 

[M111KED]

Thanks. I shall brave the cold and try it again now.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome , PSE pump will be in its own personal swimming pool I reckon.

 

[M111KED]

I will let you know once I'm in there..

 

[A.J.]

Hi Mike, welcome to the forum albeit a bit late in the day

 

[M111KED]

Thank you

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome, Mike.

 

[Srdl]

Hello Mike and welcome at last! Sounds like those that know about these things have given up you some useful pointers. Good luck!

 

[M111KED]

Thank you. Yes, I've definitely got to get the boot open!

 

[00slk]

Welcome Mike from another R230 owner. When the battery went dead flat on our old SL500 the boot key would turn okay but I discovered you had to hold the key hard turned and then pull the boot handle at the same time. Just a thought

 

[John Laidlaw]

Seem to remember someone mentioning removing the fuse from the fuse box in the rear 'seat' area , leaving it a bit then reinstalling it, quickly open the boot then. Presumably just resets it briefly until all the water takes its toll again...

 

[00slk]

Seem to remember someone mentioning removing the fuse from the fuse box in the rear 'seat' area , leaving it a bit then reinstalling it, quickly open the boot then. Presumably just resets it briefly until all the water takes its toll again...

I wonder why everyone assumes it water.....Like an r230 leaks water into the boot

 

[Blobcat]

I wonder why everyone assumes it water.....Like an r230 leaks water into the boot

It could be his screen wash bottle that fell over in the boot and spilled..

 

[John Laidlaw]

It could be his screen wash bottle that fell over in the boot and spilled..

might be someone locked in there sweating?

 

[00slk]

It could be his screen wash bottle that fell over in the boot and spilled..

might be someone locked in there sweating?

Exactly..................

 

[Blobcat]

might be someone locked in there sweating?

If it was USA spec it would have a glow in the dark release handle...
I really wonder about the number of incidences that occurred for them to specify glow in the dark release handles... even get them on 911's and how you'd cram someone into the boot of them I've no idea...

 

[John Laidlaw]

If it was USA spec it would have a glow in the dark release handle...
I really wonder about the number of incidences that occurred for them to specify glow in the dark release handles... even get them on 911's and how you'd cram someone into the boot of them I've no idea...

Someone driving obviously likes the 'Chicken Royale....'