Good morning,
As a newcomer to this forum and not an experienced computer user, I hope that this message reaches its proper destination. Anyway, here goes... Her indoors' beloved chariot; a near mint 1998 SLK 230, has recently suffered from an intermittent inability to unlock either door or boot lid by means of the remote fob(s). This was not a huge problem as further presses usually eventually met with success. However, a few days ago the system refused point blank to unlock anything. Access to the driver's door was still available by using the key, so the car could be driven when needed. The boot however remained locked as the key would not turn in the lock at all. Probably seized up after years of non-use. I have researched this quite well-known area of problem in this vehicle and summarise my findings as follows:
Checked PSE pump for water damage. None evident. Pump looks shiny and new despite its 22 years of use.
Checked connections to PSE, no evident problems. WD40'd both plugs/sockets and refitted.
Tested system. Bingo! Functions perfectly. Locks and unlocks doors, boot lid, fuel filler flap as designed. Put everything back into the boot. Went to bed.
Next morning went to open the car. Indicator lights flashed as they should but nothing unlocked. Listened out for PSE pump running but heard nothing. Opened driver's door with key. Tried fob to lock it. Worked fine and I could hear the PSE pump running. Tried again to unlock (single and double clicks tried and console switch) but nothing. I am now in a bit of a bind. The boot lid is locked and if you recall I mentioned that the key would not turn in the lock. So my only access to the PSE pump is by opening the roof part-way then stopping it. Something I approached with some trepidation given the complexity of the thing. Managed this OK and emptied the boot again. Retrieved PSE pump and stripped it down. Tested contacts on the PCB as much as I could. Cleaned the relay contacts. Nothing adverse found. Rebuilt it and re-installed it. No change. Meanwhile took out boot lock assembly to see if I could free up the lock. Left it overnight soaking in WD40. No joy here either. Put everything back as didn't like leaving the roof half up for too long. So, thoroughly p****d off with all of this not to mention her indoors indicating in no uncertain terms that if I caused even the slightest scratch or dent then what remains of my manhood would be in extreme danger, I call upon the combined wisdom of all of you fellow R170 owners to assist if you can. Any comments are welcome. I am puzzled by the fact that the system worked perfectly well one minute then only locks the car the next. The PSE arrangement is commonly seen as the culprit but am I missing something? (Fuse 9 & interior light are fine, by the way)
As a newcomer to this forum and not an experienced computer user, I hope that this message reaches its proper destination. Anyway, here goes... Her indoors' beloved chariot; a near mint 1998 SLK 230, has recently suffered from an intermittent inability to unlock either door or boot lid by means of the remote fob(s). This was not a huge problem as further presses usually eventually met with success. However, a few days ago the system refused point blank to unlock anything. Access to the driver's door was still available by using the key, so the car could be driven when needed. The boot however remained locked as the key would not turn in the lock at all. Probably seized up after years of non-use. I have researched this quite well-known area of problem in this vehicle and summarise my findings as follows:
Checked PSE pump for water damage. None evident. Pump looks shiny and new despite its 22 years of use.
Checked connections to PSE, no evident problems. WD40'd both plugs/sockets and refitted.
Tested system. Bingo! Functions perfectly. Locks and unlocks doors, boot lid, fuel filler flap as designed. Put everything back into the boot. Went to bed.
Next morning went to open the car. Indicator lights flashed as they should but nothing unlocked. Listened out for PSE pump running but heard nothing. Opened driver's door with key. Tried fob to lock it. Worked fine and I could hear the PSE pump running. Tried again to unlock (single and double clicks tried and console switch) but nothing. I am now in a bit of a bind. The boot lid is locked and if you recall I mentioned that the key would not turn in the lock. So my only access to the PSE pump is by opening the roof part-way then stopping it. Something I approached with some trepidation given the complexity of the thing. Managed this OK and emptied the boot again. Retrieved PSE pump and stripped it down. Tested contacts on the PCB as much as I could. Cleaned the relay contacts. Nothing adverse found. Rebuilt it and re-installed it. No change. Meanwhile took out boot lock assembly to see if I could free up the lock. Left it overnight soaking in WD40. No joy here either. Put everything back as didn't like leaving the roof half up for too long. So, thoroughly p****d off with all of this not to mention her indoors indicating in no uncertain terms that if I caused even the slightest scratch or dent then what remains of my manhood would be in extreme danger, I call upon the combined wisdom of all of you fellow R170 owners to assist if you can. Any comments are welcome. I am puzzled by the fact that the system worked perfectly well one minute then only locks the car the next. The PSE arrangement is commonly seen as the culprit but am I missing something? (Fuse 9 & interior light are fine, by the way)
