Bad front SAM?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2003 c230 kompressor coupe
Bad front SAM?
So I have a few issues with the car. The headlight multiswitch doesn't work so I replaced it and still doesn't. Which make me believe its a bad fuse or relay. Or possibly the front SAM is bad? I sure hope not but I'm guessing that must be possible. I know its been replaced once before me owning it. Hoping its something simple but guessing not. None of the multi light switch functions work, lights, mirrors or fogs. Pretty sure the instrument lights don't either.If I turn the computer lights on to constant they all turn on except the rear running lights don't. All my turn signals, hazards, brake and reverse light work though. Any ideas? Some told me to check the grounds but not sure where to look lol
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Did you connect the battery positive terminal before the negative? If not, you may have fried the front SAM. These cars are very unforgiving with regards to this mistake.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2003 c230 kompressor coupe
I just got the car but the owners are my friend. They just got a mercedes battery put in before at a shop. Quite possible that it happened. it sat for over a year so it hard to say what did it. They had the front sam replaced before so hopefully I can just replace it and be done. Do these have to be reprogrammed after install on these cars. And where's the cheapest to find them? Probably should get new or used?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 148
From: Richmond, VA Metro Area
2005 C230 Sport Sedan-6 Speed Manual
I just finished an adventure involving my front SAM. You can read about it here: Turn signal problem caused by front SAM
Based on my experience here are my responses to your questions:
Do these have to be reprogrammed after install on these cars?. - If you have a car with an automatic transmission and the SAM is new or comes from a car with an automatic transmission it should not need programming. Look at the third picture in post #21 of the thread I linked. There are only 4 possible options that need to be coded. Two of them (folding mirrors and turning lights) are probably rare in our cars. So the only options that are likely to need to be coded are the transmission type and the rain/light sensor. Since the rain/light sensor and the automatic transmission are common configurations, chances are that a used SAM will be plug and play.
And where's the cheapest to find them? Probably should get new or used? I would try a used unit first. The new SAMs cost about $200 on line. I picked up a used one for $20. I think I got a good deal, and you may need to pay more for a used unit.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Based on my experience here are my responses to your questions:
Do these have to be reprogrammed after install on these cars?. - If you have a car with an automatic transmission and the SAM is new or comes from a car with an automatic transmission it should not need programming. Look at the third picture in post #21 of the thread I linked. There are only 4 possible options that need to be coded. Two of them (folding mirrors and turning lights) are probably rare in our cars. So the only options that are likely to need to be coded are the transmission type and the rain/light sensor. Since the rain/light sensor and the automatic transmission are common configurations, chances are that a used SAM will be plug and play.
And where's the cheapest to find them? Probably should get new or used? I would try a used unit first. The new SAMs cost about $200 on line. I picked up a used one for $20. I think I got a good deal, and you may need to pay more for a used unit.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Last edited by KevinH2000; May 23, 2020 at 10:55 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
2003 c230 kompressor coupe
I just finished an adventure involving my front SAM. You can read about it here: Turn signal problem caused by front SAM
Based on my experience here are my responses to your questions:
Do these have to be reprogrammed after install on these cars?. - If you have a car with an automatic transmission and the SAM is new or comes from a car with an automatic transmission it should not need programming. Look at the third picture in post #21 of the thread I linked. There are only 4 possible options that need to be coded. Two of them (folding mirrors and turning lights) are probably rare in our cars. So the only options that are likely to need to be coded are the transmission type and the rain/light sensor. Since the rain/light sensor and the automatic transmission are common configurations, chances are that a used SAM will be plug and play.
And where's the cheapest to find them? Probably should get new or used? I would try a used unit first. The new SAMs cost about $200 on line. I picked up a used one for $20. I think I got a good deal, and you may need to pay more for a used unit.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
Based on my experience here are my responses to your questions:
Do these have to be reprogrammed after install on these cars?. - If you have a car with an automatic transmission and the SAM is new or comes from a car with an automatic transmission it should not need programming. Look at the third picture in post #21 of the thread I linked. There are only 4 possible options that need to be coded. Two of them (folding mirrors and turning lights) are probably rare in our cars. So the only options that are likely to need to be coded are the transmission type and the rain/light sensor. Since the rain/light sensor and the automatic transmission are common configurations, chances are that a used SAM will be plug and play.
And where's the cheapest to find them? Probably should get new or used? I would try a used unit first. The new SAMs cost about $200 on line. I picked up a used one for $20. I think I got a good deal, and you may need to pay more for a used unit.
Good luck and I hope this helps.
