M-Class (W164) Produced 2006-2011: ML280CDI, ML320CDI, ML420CDI, ML350, ML500, ML550

Help! Had a major rain/hail storm and the car has lost its mind.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 07-12-2014, 07:33 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
SQLGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
2008 ML320 CDI
Help! Had a major rain/hail storm and the car has lost its mind.

Bascially, after the rain, the car is throwing a dozen different error messages, hatch won't open, won't close, rear brake light warnings, LR reverse light stuck on, SRS failure, descent control failure, check engine, TPM failure, and on and on.

I took the car out for a drive, hoping to shake loose some of the water wherever it got in, and, when I parked, the engine actually stayed running, with the key out, until I opened the door.

Anyway, I found and removed the rear SAM, and it was wet. Not sure where water got in, but I cleaned and dried the board and vacuumed out as much water as I could from inside the fender. I'm thinking, though, that this isn't the only issue, and am wondering about the front SAM. Can someone tell me where it is in these cars?

Thanks,
Paul
Old 07-12-2014, 08:10 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
SQLGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
2008 ML320 CDI
Hmm... although the board is labeled: "SAM Rear", the online parts diagrams only show the one SAM for this car. The unit under the driver's seat is labeled "Gateway."
Old 07-12-2014, 09:21 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
SQLGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
2008 ML320 CDI
After drying, cleaning, and reinstalling the SAM, the car is acting much more normal. It was still showing a Check Engine light, though. It was based on invalid data from the instrument cluster. I cleared it, and it didn't come back.

So, next question: what options are there to waterproof the SAM area of the fender?
Old 07-13-2014, 11:17 AM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
poolmanEd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ML 320 CDI
I had the same thing happen. Not sure where water came in but I dried it up and sprayed WD40 on it and wiped it dry again. Seems to be ok now. wondering if water is getting in around the tail ligh lens?
Old 07-16-2014, 11:10 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
SQLGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
2008 ML320 CDI
According to AllDataDIY (which is largely, but not entirely, useless) the front SAM is under the right side front seat (passenger seat for LH drive vehicles).
Old 08-02-2014, 02:03 AM
  #6  
Member
 
sirics's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C300, ML 320, 190E
I am interested in seeing if and how people are waterproofing the rear SAM without causing it to overheat. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Help! Had a major rain/hail storm and the car has lost its mind.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:35 PM.