R129 'Comfort Pack'

[Purbeck]

I have a low miles 95 SL500 with a number of what I believe are related faults:

the seats and steering column adjustments only operate when a door is open;
the heated seats don't work;
the heated rear window doesn't work although the door mirror does;
the ASR warning light sometimes operates but only when starting from cold.

The associated fuses blow immediately and I've been advised:

it's a full seat and carpet out detailed search for a short somewhere in the comfort pack circuitry;
AND
it's a well known fault ,or rather worn looms are.

Anyone got any experience or better still can recommend a reliable automotive electrician with experience? In many respects these are niggles rather major problems at the moment.

 

[television]

Welcome pubeck to the forum with your nice car, the fault would appear to be in the harness to the door, so not too bad. I have not had this fault before.

When our member stats007 see the post,he will respond, in the mean time where are you in the UK.

Malcolm

 

[stats007]

This one is going to be interesting!

If you PM me your full VIN I can have a look tonight - the seat adjustment works with the ignition off and the door open or with the ignition switched to position 1 or 2 when closed - obviously this gives you an idea as to where the problem(s) may lie. I'm assuming the wipers and windows work? If so the relays are all working - what fuses have blown?

I suspect the heated seats may be the culprit - the heated rear window is on the same fuse but you can disconnect this easily.

The wiring loom issue is really only a problem in the engine bay - were you interested in trying to solve this problem yourself or after someone to recommended an auto-electrician to do it for you?

 

[television]

just a couple of thoughts,there must be relays for the seats,and these are high current items, this would not help the wiring issue on these cars.

Malcolm

 

[Purbeck]

Thanks for the initial thoughts.

I am based to the west of London near High Wycombe

VIN is WDB129 0672F 123219

The seats and steering will adjust without the key but only if a door is open. If the doors are closed adjustment does not work. Windows, mirrors, wipers etc. need ignition but all work. Fuse 12 (comfort pack?) blows immediately.

The original dealer has a record of a blown headlamp wiper motor but nothing else.

I really need an electrician but would like to get a better feel for the problem and the rectification time before I start spending!

 

[stats007]

Not heard of the reference to a 'comfort pack' but I presume they mean the heated seats.

Fuse 12 is responsible for these as well as the heated rear window, cigarette lighter, part of the seat adjustment and mirror folding if you have it (which I don't think was available in the UK in '95) as well as some minor interior lighting.

As a first option I'd disconnect the heated seats and heated rear window and try a smaller fuse as a precaution (should be 8 amp).

 

[Purbeck]

Sorted

Turned out to be a short in the CIGAR LIGHTER! Apparently the various items affected operate on two circuits - one when the door is open and a second when closed.

The problem was diagnosed and fixed within an hour, 'a common problem, we always start with the cigar lighter'.

Thanks to Wheels VT of Woburn Moor (www.wheelslimited.com).

Pity about the ditributor caps and ignition control unit, but thats another story!