Dennis

I have a 2007 SL550. I hadn't driven it in a month or so (too much snow!), and noticed when I went to get something from it that the interior lights weren't working when I opened the door. Tried the keyless remote, nothing, figured it was a dead battery. But when I went to boost it, I put the key in the ignition, the dash lit up and I was able to start the car.

BUT all sorts of electronics are now messed up. Remote will not unlock or lock the car. Keyless start only works some time. Half the time the satellite radio says it needs to be activated, the other half it works and remembers my presets. Various error messages (brakes, battery, etc) show up and disappear. Roof mechanism sometimes gives an error and won't work, other times it works. Clock starts at 12:00 but sometimes has the correct time. Interior lights don't work. Navigation won't show maps.

I can drive the car, and headlights seem to work fine.

I'm brining it in to the dealer, but wondering if anyone has any idea what the problem is and what they will have to do to fix it. Thanks.

erichen

might be the little battery in the trunk... mine says consumer electric offline when I don't drive it for 3 days or more... one month, a lot of things can go wrong I guess... Better get it checked or just try jumping the trunk battery first.

cnterline

my 03 did that too,after some research I found TSB,s on a common problem of voltage drain on the battery, they warranteed the batteries then a day later the alt went and they warranteed that also ,the batteries are big bucks,I have an acccount with benz so I get 20% off parts, both batteries would cost me in the 300.00 plus area,they wanted 800.00 plus installed for both plus labor for diagnosing the problem which I diagnosed for them before dropping car off,they hit me with 300.00 for labor for everything which is BS but I figure they really didnt have to warranty the batteries for me being they are 4 years old so I let it go,you have an 05 so should be total warranty ,but you know the dealers its a roll of the dice.good luck, if you look around on this forum you can find the TSB on it

Guido1986

I have a 2003 Sl500 and I have had it since 2002 and after every winter since I have had it the electronics get all messed up like you have described. I mostly hook a battery charger up to the battery in the trunk and let it sit for alittle bit then it seems to be fine after

dogma

Mine did the same thing. $1,300 later I have two new batteries and a new alternator. I had just come off of warranty. It would have been covered because the bad alternator killed the batteries.

BrabusTrojanSL

Sometimes some cars are just Lemons.

vraa

Sometimes they are, but this is a pretty well known and wide issue.

TREZ63

It's the same stupid *** excuse the Rolex people will give you (This watch loves to be worn) These cars love to be driven. Cause if you don't drive them the batteries will die and you have to take it in again.

Dennis

As an update, here is what the dealer did:

Found Battery Test Code 023G-0R61U for faulty battery. Checked battery performance, replaced battery, checked charging system, cleared codes.

Parts: 70 AMP Small Black Battery

For the NAV:

Found loose connection at antenna splitter, removed radio and LS trunk panel, re-secured antenna splitter connection.

Only problem when I got the car back was the clock was off by several hours. Took me a little while to figure out it had been reset on Germany time. Sloppy work by dealer, IMHO.

Obviously all was covered under warranty, and they did the transmission control software upgrade recall too. It may be my imagination but the SL seems to upshift at higher revs now when accelerating briskly, car seems quicker.

I'll find out next winter if this is a recurring problem for my car, as I expect it will sit for a month or two every winter.

amgme

you would think they would have solved the battery issue by now. they've had 4 years to get it straight.

what is this transmission control software recall? is there a tsb on this or do they just update everyone?

Ratanlal

i was hit on the front passenger side. After $18000 worth of repair, mbz tells me the alternator is bad. They tried to get insurance to pay for it insurance refused. Called it wear and tear.
I have the same problems. Clock starts at 12:00 and sometimes shows correct time.
Dealer wants $2000 to replace.
Trying to find out how to justify payment by insurance. I have a 1999 CLK. with 118,000 miles. no problem of any kind.