S Class water penetration/electrics problem

[Chas]

Folks
My S320 (2001) has just had electrical faults warnings, and is with MB dealer at present.
The battery, ABS, BAS, ESP warning lights came on causing loss of power steering/power assist brakes/ and a dead battery.
The mobilo tech chap came out and diagnosed the alternator.
MB now say it was not the alternator ,and was caused by water penetration in the wiring loom and they are drying it out.
Rain was heavy in UK last week and apparently too heavy for the Flagship MERCEDES model to cope !
The drain pelum was cleaned last month when my car was serviced to prevent such a thing happening.
MB say the shear volume of water was too much and caused the problem.
Now I know there is a design fault feature in the "S" class which I am told in various forums by people far more knowledgeable than me, should have been on the MB wis.
Basically it is to add another drain valve (emergency drain) to the side of the chamber. This should have been retrofitted by my MB dealer.
Can anyone add anything or give me a reference to show the dealer ?I may go for an insurance claim if it is excessive damage to the vehicle

many thanks

Chas

 

[type49]

Yes there is a mod to the heater box which requires a hole to be drilled. This should have been checked and/or carried out when you had the drain cleared last month. Basically, there is a main drain on the nearside of the heater intake box which can get blocked with leaves etc, if blocked, the rain can enter the car via the heater blower motor area. Might be worth trying to find out if the repair is covered under warranty as the car should have had the recall done. I'm no legal expert though, good luck.

 

[Chas]

Yes there is a mod to the heater box which requires a hole to be drilled. This should have been checked and/or carried out when you had the drain cleared last month. Basically, there is a main drain on the nearside of the heater intake box which can get blocked with leaves etc, if blocked, the rain can enter the car via the heater blower motor area. Might be worth trying to find out if the repair is covered under warranty as the car should have had the recall done. I'm no legal expert though, good luck.

Many thanks mate , I am off to the dealer right now.

I will keep you informed

thanks

Chas

 

[Chas]

Yes there is a mod to the heater box which requires a hole to be drilled. This should have been checked and/or carried out when you had the drain cleared last month. Basically, there is a main drain on the nearside of the heater intake box which can get blocked with leaves etc, if blocked, the rain can enter the car via the heater blower motor area. Might be worth trying to find out if the repair is covered under warranty as the car should have had the recall done. I'm no legal expert though, good luck.

I have my car back now. The mod to the heater box which requires a hole to be drilled was done 2004 before I got the car.
The problem was a missing rubber grommet thing, how it got missing is a mystery
Extract from work sheet invoice
"traced scource of leak to missing grommet in n/s/f A pillar. Fitted new grommet and retested"

I am assured this leak will not happen again

such is life

thanks for your help

Chas