2010 C300 - After Rain Damage - Won't Start, Windows/Sunroof Won't Close, etc.

Subscribe
Jun 26, 2021 | 06:46 PM
  #1  
I had some rain damage the other day. Trunk had a twig stuck in the seal and it rained hard and let it in the trunk. Not sure how much, but it ended up getting to the backseat and driver side foot areas because those carpets were damp (c300-3.jpg).

When I first noticed issue, we were able to jump the car once, but then I turned it off and it would no longer startup.

I got a pre-safe function limited, see owner manual (c300-6.jpg). I believe there were also a bunch of error codes that popped up. It wouldn't turn over the engine or anything.

Interior lights work, exterior do not (c300-4.jpg).

I put the windows down because it's Houston, Texas and hot as heck and opened the sunroof, but they would not go back up.

Shifter stuck in park (I can do the manual method of putting it in neutral by pressing the yellow lever on the shifter).

Steering wheel is locked.

I can put the car in panic mode and it turns off the alarm when the key goes near the ignition.

Radio will turn on (c300-2.jpg).

Checked every single FUSE, but need to try swapping out relays? Also, I don't have the driver side dash fuse box, which I read is how USA cars come? All the fuse diagrams I found talk about "pre-fuse" boxes, but I haven't found those to check them...

OBDII reader would turn on, but would search and then not find and error out.

I had hired a mechanic to look around and he did a bunch of tests and recommended I replace the rear fuse panel. I did and now the pre-safe error is gone. Dash just says Take Your Key from Ignition (c300-5.jpg).

Which from what I've seen sounds like the steering lock went bad, but unless that went bad after whatever was causing the pre-safe error, it doesn't make sense. But honestly, not sure if the pre-safe went away before or after my changing the fuse panel...

I've tried doing the "turn the steering wheel while cranking ignition" trick and it doesn't do anything.

OBDII read won't even turn on (c300-1.jpg) now.

c300-4.jpg

c300-6.jpg

c300-5.jpg

c300-3.jpg

c300-2.jpg

c300-1.jpg

Reply 0
Jun 27, 2021 | 12:52 AM
  #2  
If my car got wet like that, I would remove the battery, then find all wet places and dry them. I know for a fact electricity and water does not mix over time, unless wiring is very well sealed. As the battery sits in circuit, reactions may start forming making joints green, I actually photographed(Macro) digital equipment sitting near the coastline where the IC legs have holes in them due to corrotion, and we were shocked to see the damage and strangest faults popping up. This happened because cabinets hausing equipment were ordered without heaters to dry the air inside. So wet is no good.
Your 1st priority is to get things dried out properly, then look for physical damage of corrotion, the longer you wait the worse it get, then hope for the best.
Reply 0
Jun 27, 2021 | 01:39 AM
  #3  
Yeah, it's dried out now, as far as I can tell. I popped the plug in the trunk and got rid of the rest of the water and we left all the doors and windows opened to air out and let the humidity dry up.

The bad news is, I can't move it because the steering wheel is locked and I can't start it. I'd push it into the garage, but I can't turn the wheel. So it's sitting outside with a tarp. Sucks. But it's dry :-)
Reply 0
Jun 29, 2021 | 12:07 AM
  #4  
Any ideas? :'(
Reply 0
Jul 1, 2021 | 11:13 AM
  #5  
if the CAN BUS NETWORK is shorted the car wont start, Remove the driver and passenger Carpet, buy WD40 and Electronic Spray, get to work... scanner cant help you, need to do physical work....
Reply 0
Jul 1, 2021 | 11:50 AM
  #6  
Quote: if the CAN BUS NETWORK is shorted the car wont start, Remove the driver and passenger Carpet, buy WD40 and Electronic Spray, get to work... scanner cant help you, need to do physical work....
Any good instructions? Diagrams? Schematics?

Thanks!
Reply 0
Jul 1, 2021 | 12:49 PM
  #7  
Pop the cover off the engine compartment + (red) jumper cover..see those black tabs to remove., not the battery itself cover. Large 40(?) amo fuse can be seen...check for continuity or obviously blown. Will send a picture but you should see what I'm talking about. Also, look to see if the rubber seal where your driver's side wiper shaft goes through on the plastic cowl is torn...this will let water thru to the underside of the left front fuse box so it will be sdoaking wet...unbolt to lift and dry..I used compressed air but time and a hair dryer will do the job.
Reply 0
Jul 1, 2021 | 01:32 PM
  #8  
Quote: Pop the cover off the engine compartment + (red) jumper cover..see those black tabs to remove., not the battery itself cover. Large 40(?) amo fuse can be seen...check for continuity or obviously blown. Will send a picture but you should see what I'm talking about. Also, look to see if the rubber seal where your driver's side wiper shaft goes through on the plastic cowl is torn...this will let water thru to the underside of the left front fuse box so it will be sdoaking wet...unbolt to lift and dry..I used compressed air but time and a hair dryer will do the job.

Are you talking about this area here? I don't see a fuse, but I will say I'm getting 12.7 volts to the rear fuse box, so I don't think it's that far upstream. Also, interior lights come on.
Reply 0

MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

Explore
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Jul 1, 2021 | 01:38 PM
  #9  
Quote: Pop the cover off the engine compartment + (red) jumper cover..see those black tabs to remove., not the battery itself cover. Large 40(?) amo fuse can be seen...check for continuity or obviously blown. Will send a picture but you should see what I'm talking about. Also, look to see if the rubber seal where your driver's side wiper shaft goes through on the plastic cowl is torn...this will let water thru to the underside of the left front fuse box so it will be sdoaking wet...unbolt to lift and dry..I used compressed air but time and a hair dryer will do the job.
Crap. Just pulled my driver side carpet up and found water under there. Didn't even know this area existed... Don't see any electrical components though, just wires... Maybe not looking hard enough?

If it came in through the trunk, what would get damaged on the way to the front?


I pulled the plugs and let it drain.

Seal for wipers is solid still.
Reply 0
Jul 1, 2021 | 04:44 PM
  #10  
Quote: Crap. Just pulled my driver side carpet up and found water under there. Didn't even know this area existed... Don't see any electrical components though, just wires... Maybe not looking hard enough?

If it came in through the trunk, what would get damaged on the way to the front?


I pulled the plugs and let it drain.

Seal for wipers is solid still.
now follow my instructions from earlier
Reply 0
Jul 2, 2021 | 02:19 AM
  #11  
How sure are you that a twig in the boot caused your car to be flooded out in the passenger compartment?

Could the damage be covered by vehicle insurance, I think you need to fully dry everything and clean all the connectors mentioned above as a minimum and all the best with starting up soon.
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE