W203 widespread electrical death!

JSeaman

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My wife's C220D had a bit of a hiccup on Friday, it dumped its coolant and left her stranded. Once it was recovered I had a look & found the water pump bearings were shot which seized the pulley. At the weekend I replaced the pump/tensioner/belt/coolant as well as the brake pads all round. All was well and I took it out for a couple of hours yesterday without any problem.

She went to it this morning and the fan was going (before she put the key in), and when she started it, ESP warning, ABS warning and engine warning lights all lit up, it couldn't get out of park. A quick search shows the fan control module may be a contributing factor and the ECUs like to die. I got home tonight and plugged in a simple OBDII reader which I've used on it a few times before and it has no comms.

So it seems there is no CAN bus and I guess my SAM (?) is suspect too. Can any electrical wizards set me off in the right direction?
 
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JSeaman

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Thanks, anything I can DIY or is it a case of finding one and getting someone to come and code it to the car?
 
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JSeaman

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They don't make access easy do they?! The Sam and ecu are out, no obvious damage on the pcb

Does anyone know the process for changing the Sam and or ecu on a 2005 car?
 

Westheath

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Remove the battery earth lead for 15 mins and reconnect,
clear any fault codes in the vehicles can bus modules if you now have access.

ECU will be a complete swap out with key/s eis and esl.

SAM is a simple swap out like for like but might need Star to recode some modules back in (rare).

I have key sets for sale on e-bay.

Items for sale

https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/alpha14562
 
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JSeaman

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OK thanks, so if I grab a SAM and try that it's a DIY check, anything more and the car is a paperweight! Thanks
 

M80

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I've replaced a few SAMS and not found Star was required.
Always been plug and play for me, once you've reset window, steering and other limits. That is windows up and down, steering lock to lock, maybe more.
 

Westheath

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OK thanks, so if I grab a SAM and try that it's a DIY check, anything more and the car is a paperweight! Thanks

Not really
Its a DIY job replacing the EIS ESL ECU

Hopefully a replacement SAM unit will sort you out :)
 
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JSeaman

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Thanks guys, SAM is now on order, speculative £100 purchase with fingers tightly crossed
 

Westheath

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I only have rear SAMs left for W211 W203 I usually sell them for £35 :shock:
 
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JSeaman

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Sadly there aren't many options on ebay :(
 

alex cnwell

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hi, i know you have ordered a sam unit but, had the same thing last summer on the wifes w203, i think fuse 60 had blown, esp/abs lights and could not get it out of park ...
 

Westheath

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Yep was assuming OP had done fuse check, the board on the end of the dash also has fuses dependant on modules, 25amp iirc
 

alex cnwell

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It probably is the sam unit as with mine there was no erratic fan at all, but upon checking fuses found fuse 60 to be blown , it was the fuse box under the bonnet and the fuse was next to the big 50a fuse.
 
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JSeaman

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Yes you're right to check but fuse check was done
 
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JSeaman

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Right boys and girls your update is as follows:

New SAM fitted and ECU back in

I can now read error codes

I still get an ESP error

It cranks but won't fire, sounds like it's going to go for a second each time I crank it but never catches

Any kind of security etc. I should be aware of?
 

umblecumbuz

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Pre 2003 the Sam's on the C203 cars were very delicate and could easily be blown, but with the facelift cars (your 2005 is one) the Sam's were more robust and could take a bit of punishment.

I hope it is the Sam on your's as you've just paid out for one, but I can't help harbouring a doubt. They are like for like just plug and play, so you won't need Star. It should start unless there is still some other unfound fault.
 
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JSeaman

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Just realised I hadn't read out the codes again - it's firing P0202 and P0204, injector 2 and 4 which fits with the symptom, wonder if the ECU isn't able to control the injectors ... :(
 
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JSeaman

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Any thoughts on the codes?
 

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