R230 SL500 Battery Control Module

[SL63 Mark]

My friend needs a Battery Control module. His much loved 2003 SL500 is off the road, because the battery control module has failed. MB have told him these are no longer available.

Does anyone have access to one, or know of someone who would be prepared to sell one ? I think the only source now would be a "parts" or donor car.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or inspiration.

 

[star]

Yes these are no longer available, there were two available in the USA a couple of months ago and they have trebled in price. I’m on the look out for them all the time thru breakers. Good luck.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Yes these are no longer available, there were two available in the USA a couple of months ago and they have trebled in price. I’m on the look out for them all the time thru breakers. Good luck.

OK, thanks Ian, good to know. I have tried to persuade him to upgrade to a R231, but he is very attached to his 230.

 

[peterws1957]

OK, thanks Ian, good to know. I have tried to persuade him to upgrade to a R231, but he is very attached to his 230.

Your mate should check Dronsfields they often have R230's in for breaking.

 

[s5tuart]

Any good?

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Uncle Benz]

PM’d you

 

[star]

Any good?

Pardon our interruption...

Unfortunately for a 211.

 

[s5tuart]

Unfortunately for a 211.

Sorry
I wonder if they're all the same inside....

 

[star]

Sorry
I wonder if they're all the same inside....

Unfortunately not. I expect someone may reverse engineer one if enough demand. A good friend and customer and head of the 230 dept in the owners club sent me a link where people had placed a fuse in the main wires to stop surges. I think it starting a car with a flat consumer battery that may do the damage. I will change mine as if it’s a 5yr consumable.

 

[s5tuart]

Unfortunately not. I expect someone may reverse engineer one if enough demand. A good friend and customer and head of the 230 dept in the owners club sent me a link where people had placed a fuse in the main wires to stop surges. I think it starting a car with a flat consumer battery that may do the damage. I will change mine as if it’s a 5yr consumable.

Yikes!
A Lexus RX450h looks even more appealing

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Yikes!
A Lexus RX450h looks even more appealing

Very much so, our friend bought hers new, has covered well over a 100k. She does have it service at Lexus.
She is happy to get in it and go anywhere, anytime... Not one problem and iirc it is a ‘57 plate..

 

[00slk]

Very much so, our friend bought hers new, has covered well over a 100k. She does have it service at Lexus.
She is happy to get in it and go anywhere, anytime... Not one problem and iirc it is a ‘57 plate..

Just like my Renault Laguna, paid 4000 for it on an 02 plate, 86,000mles and only service parts. Second best car we've owned. 156 V6 Alfa was the best. So much so I bought another, and it was a shocker! There's a lot to be said for buying a Friday car.

 

[Conor]

Unfortunately not. I expect someone may reverse engineer one if enough demand. A good friend and customer and head of the 230 dept in the owners club sent me a link where people had placed a fuse in the main wires to stop surges. I think it starting a car with a flat consumer battery that may do the damage. I will change mine as if it’s a 5yr consumable.

Whats this now ? Care to share any more detail on this fuse setup? I fancy the sound of that with a button reset style breaker.

Are you saying you replace the BCM every 5 years? How much is a BCM and is it plug and play or what?

EDIT: And what breaks in these...? Would somebody like autotronics be able to repair one?

 

[star]

No, I’ll replace the consumer battery every 5years. It’s on another forum but couldn’t say if it works. I’ve seen a few of these melt down internally.

 

[Conor]

No, I’ll replace the consumer battery every 5years. It’s on another forum but couldn’t say if it works. I’ve seen a few of these melt down internally.

Ok I see.. thanks for the heads up.

 

[peterws1957]

No, I’ll replace the consumer battery every 5years. It’s on another forum but couldn’t say if it works. I’ve seen a few of these melt down internally.

There are posts on a US MB forum where cars sat for days untouched have suddenly caught fire, originating in the BCM. I've seen one in a breakers yard that did this. Quite scary I imagine.

 

[Conor]

That is scary alright...but I do remember reading on here that the general consensus was that this only happens if the BCM gets wet or otherwise damaged ?

I find it hard to believe that these cars genuinely will spontaneously combust.. especially in the states.. I.e. the land of lawyers and class actions.

 

[peterws1957]

That is scary alright...but I do remember reading on here that the general consensus was that this only happens if the BCM gets wet or otherwise damaged ?

I find it hard to believe that these cars genuinely will spontaneously combust.. especially in the states.. I.e. the land of lawyers and class actions.

Yep there must be some fault in the bcm for it to catch fire.