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Just bought my first M-B and my first SL 500. Own 2 BMW's (850i and 635CSi), but don't hold that against me. I also own a '67 Buick Riviera (I don't discriminate).
Needless to say I have a s**t-load of question, typical newbie dumb a** stuff, so here it goes.
Facts: 2002 SL 500, 97000K 3 owner, no service history, everything (almost) works and nothing leaks (Whew!)
Did they all come with the hands-free phone? If not, do they all come with what looks like a phone antenna on the trunk lid (little hump with a flatish front and a rounded back, kinda like some women I know?
It's supposed to have that B.S. flexible service schedule, which having had experience with BMW's version, I know better, so I am already planning a tranny service.
Having already read about the non-op 3rd brake light (850's have the same problem), I'm already planning that repair. The question is, generally, is the break right inside the "gator" or is it further back inside the hard plastic housing? Also, does that also affect the trunk light, because it'also non-op, but has a good bulb.
Just so this doesn't get too long...
Do the little grips, handles, things that you grab to adjust the direction of the hvac vents have a tendency to break (alot)? Most of mine are gone and the two that are left only move the vent up and down. Aren't they supposed to move them right and left also?
Okay, that it for this one. I can only handle so much info at one time.
Not all came with hands-free phone. I don't have the antenna, at least didn't notice to have one. The dash speakers for the phone are there however, so is the mic on the left side of the mirror.
FSS is 10k miles or 1 year, something like that. You should be able to reset it yourself (however I couldn't so I used my STAR reader).
Vent flaps should move up down left right. Mine are in good condition. Should be cheap to replace them.
I thought I read in the owners manual (it came wirh all the books) that the trans was "sealed for life" which is why there's no dip-stick. The sealed for life thing was a trick in the BMW world. Life was whenever the tranny blew up.
Other than leaking/failing top hydraulics and, from what I gather, the suspension adjusting thing can go south also, is there anything else I need to watch for? You know, the things MB should have done recalls on, but they plead insanity when the owners gang up on them.
Having already read about the non-op 3rd brake light (850's have the same problem), I'm already planning that repair. The question is, generally, is the break right inside the "gator" or is it further back inside the hard plastic housing? Also, does that also affect the trunk light, because it'also non-op, but has a good bulb
The break on mine was inside the "gator". Trunk light works independent of this light.
Thanks Sutliffe.
I was hoping the switch in the trunk lid lip was for the trunk light which would mean the wiring travels down the hinge. Oh well...
Thanks again,
Mike
Interesting discovery. My trunk light is on a switch. There is a yellow switch inset in the rear trunk trim panel that turns the trunk light on and off. It's manual, you use your finger.
This seems strange. You could forget to turn it off and come back to a dead battery. Weird that it's not controlled by some switch used wirh the trunk lid.
3rd brake light wire (red w/black tracer or black w/red tracer, hard to tell which) was broken in two places. Repaired, up and running.
12-04-2015, 02:25 PM
Eureka!
