josephanthony

The driver's side illuminated door sill stopped working. I called the dealer and they want $129. to find out what is wrong. They said it may be a connection issue or the plate may need replacement.

Any ideas?

sgaar

Yeah, if you have to ask, pay the dealer the $129.

vsix

Dont make yourself a head...just pay the dealer..

josephanthony

So no one has ever had this problem?

sgaar

I don't know what the problem is or how to fix it, but here is the WIS information you'll need to take it apart.

sgaar

The rest.

Personally, i would disconnect the sill, attache a 12v battery and see if it illuminates. If it does then there is something else going on. Work your way backwards from there.

josephanthony

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I will study these and see what I come up with, then report. I noticed these diagrams state up to 2007. Do you know if it is the same for 2009?

sgaar

I don't but I would guess that it is pretty close.

coldwell

I want those for my car. Do yours say AMG or Mercedes?

josephanthony

Mine says Mercedes.

The dealer wants $575. for the pair but I have been following a set on eBay in case I needed them for $350. + $35. shipping from Los Vegas.

Here is the link if you want them. He has one pair left.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221348079893...84.m1423.l2649

josephanthony

UPDATE: Diagnostics stated I needed a ballast for my illuminated sill. It is covered under my aftermarket warranty. I am also having my door handle replaced (and painted) as the Keyless Go did not unlock or lock my driver's door.

Instead of replacing just the sensor, the entire handle needs to be replaced ($266. + $50-$75 to paint). Glad warranty covered this also. Seems like a waste of parts for a bad sensor, at a high cost to us R230 owners. Apparently, according to the parts department, they replace a ton of these on various models!

vtvette

Nice find! That looks like a very good price. I only wish they were "AMG" as I am in Vegas and desperately want a set for my SL55.

I've seen this auction but was a little concerned with the note at the end:

THIS IS A SET OF (4) BRAND NEW DOOR SILL PANELS 2 FRONTS ILLUMINATE, 2 REARS DO NOT

Makes me wonder if they are indeed for a SL when it seems to state it's for a 4 door? May be that the guy used a template for his auction and simply forgot to remove the above notation but, I would encourage anyone seriously considering purchasing these to contact the seller and verify fitment.

vtvette

I've been searching diligently for a set for my '05 SL55 with no luck. Seems they were out there at one point but I can't find them anywhere today.

There was a guy with a NOS set in Europe for $1400!!! A little too rich for my blood, at least for a set of door sill plates!!

If I find a retailer I'll let you know.

josephanthony

Agree. That line left me wondering also. I messaged him and asked if the fitment was in fact for R230, and he got back to me after 3 days and said yes then changed his listing. It read W140.

Artero

Where did you get the manual PDF's shown in your post?

josephanthony

There are a number of listings selling AMG & MERCEDES, BRABUS, etc. on eBay.

Here is a link: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...+R230&_sacat=0

josephanthony

FIXED Covered under after market warranty.

Sky Pilot

Nice! How are you liking the SL at this point? I bet I can answer that!!!

josephanthony

Absolutely Loving It! Just can't wait for Spring. Tired of all the snow & ice.

OldKneeDragger

The illuminated SL door sill on my SL600 was out on the drivers side but works on the passenger side.

At the same time, the CD changer (2004 used a CD Changer instead of DVD's) also didn't work so it was time to see what was going on.

I sure love working on this car, everything has a purpose and fits together so well. If you are forcing something you are doing it wrong.

The problem on the CD changer was simply a loose connection... easy fix.

Anyway the illumination in the sill appears to be an electroluminescent panel. It's not just apply 12 volts or replace an LED here or there. It is driven by a module that serves as both a timer and a source for the AC to drive the panel. It is located under the CD changer, another on the other side under the rear glove box.

Swapping the modules, swaps the problem hence I am sure that is the problem. The module simply says E1 022746. I've not been able to find that online anywhere yet. If somebody has a link, I would appreciate it.

I also tried cutting my module open (I love to see how things are made) but it is sealed in a block of epoxy. Nothing to see there...

Guess I will call the dealer parts department and see if they can sell me one for less than the cost of a replacement car

It's all good