SL500 flashing rear light cluster

[crozy]

I have a 2003 SL500 that has developed a fault with the rear lights. The rear light cluster flashes randomly, even with the car locked and alarmed and none of the rear lights function correctly. The trunk light also flashes continuously. Sometimes a reverse light will come on and when it goes off it is replaced by the illumination of another lamp in the rear cluster. With the ignition on, as each lamp lights a fault is indicated on the dashboard.

Any ideas please?

 

[television]

Hello,I think that some water has got into the boot, take out the spare wheel and look for signs of water under the PSE pump, thats the one in the foam block, it could be under the roof pump, but they were reversed during 03

I got that once when I washed the car

 

[crozy]

Thans for the suggestion. I had a look but it is totally dry. I have now got a message saying ESP not available!

 

[television]

Thans for the suggestion. I had a look but it is totally dry. I have now got a message saying ESP not available!

I think that I would take the battery off in the boot, the front one is only a starter battery.

Leave it off for ½ hour then re connect. to re set your ESP you just turn the steering from lock to lock 3 times.

When connected up again only the windows to re set,key turned to 2 and hold the window switches up for 10 sec after they have closed.

The cars do not have any real electronic faults, give it a go

 

[crozy]

Thanks for the suggestion. I disconnected the battery for 1 hour but no difference. Also, I cannot get the ESP to reset.

 

[television]

Thanks for the suggestion. I disconnected the battery for 1 hour but no difference. Also, I cannot get the ESP to reset.

This is unusual on the 230, common on the SLK.

I have done a search and it would appear that the rear SAM module has gone down (possibly the near side front SAM)but I think rear as that is used on locking and lights.

You will have to have the fault codes read out on STAR, much cheaper done by an indie, do you have a good one near where you live

 

[crozy]

Many thanks. I will try to find one. Can you tell me where you found the info about the SAM please?

 

[Chas]

Thanks for the suggestion. I disconnected the battery for 1 hour but no difference. Also, I cannot get the ESP to reset.

You may need the key in pos 1 or 2 to reset the ESP, Malcolm will advise

 

[television]

You may need the key in pos 1 or 2 to reset the ESP, Malcolm will advise

Yes the engine has to be running to re set it, the CAR has got some signals muddled up where they meet in a SAM unit.

For those that do not know what a SAM is, it is Signal Acquisition Module where multiple signals are need.

Often the rear lights flashing are the clue to this, though I have never heard of on a SL, and I have had contact with around 25 owners up til now