Replacing SAM
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South FLA
C32 AMG
Replacing SAM
My indy mechanic has narrowed down an open circuit issue to my front SAM module, and claims it needs to be replaced. I think the part from the dealer is about $425. Does anybody know what reasonable labor should be/what the stated factory labor requirement is?
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South FLA
C32 AMG
My dash had warning lights for both low washer fluid and low coolant - even though both were full. I had an indy mechanic run a STAR diagnosis. That damn software is like auto shop for dummies. It not only describes the problem but even gives you a full color picture of the problem area.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Indiana
Silver 02 C32 & White 05 CLK500
My dash had warning lights for both low washer fluid and low coolant - even though both were full. I had an indy mechanic run a STAR diagnosis. That damn software is like auto shop for dummies. It not only describes the problem but even gives you a full color picture of the problem area.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
My dash had warning lights for both low washer fluid and low coolant - even though both were full. I had an indy mechanic run a STAR diagnosis. That damn software is like auto shop for dummies. It not only describes the problem but even gives you a full color picture of the problem area.
It might be the difference between an indy with a Star diag and a dealer with the experience to interpret the results correctly.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Too Clever
The series sensors are a great example of a clever solution to eliminate one wire and save about $1 in production costs that has cost owners untold thousands in extraneous repairs.
The "clever" engineering: to signal low, one sensor goes to a high resistance while the other goes to a low resistance. Because not-low is zero resistance, the SAM just measures the non-zero resistance to figure which reservoir is low.
The real-world problem: when a sensor goes bad it can take on any resistance when low or not low, meaning that the problem often gets misdiagnosed.
The "clever" engineering: to signal low, one sensor goes to a high resistance while the other goes to a low resistance. Because not-low is zero resistance, the SAM just measures the non-zero resistance to figure which reservoir is low.
The real-world problem: when a sensor goes bad it can take on any resistance when low or not low, meaning that the problem often gets misdiagnosed.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: CT
C32
The series sensors are a great example of a clever solution to eliminate one wire and save about $1 in production costs that has cost owners untold thousands in extraneous repairs.
The "clever" engineering: to signal low, one sensor goes to a high resistance while the other goes to a low resistance. Because not-low is zero resistance, the SAM just measures the non-zero resistance to figure which reservoir is low.
The real-world problem: when a sensor goes bad it can take on any resistance when low or not low, meaning that the problem often gets misdiagnosed.
The "clever" engineering: to signal low, one sensor goes to a high resistance while the other goes to a low resistance. Because not-low is zero resistance, the SAM just measures the non-zero resistance to figure which reservoir is low.
The real-world problem: when a sensor goes bad it can take on any resistance when low or not low, meaning that the problem often gets misdiagnosed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Thank you, this is some really good information. With mine the coolant sensor was replaced but you are saying the washer sensor may be bad and sending the wrong resistance back to the SAM. So I should get the washer sensor replaced then empty the washer fluid to see if it trips the coolant low warning.
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2001 C240
I just replaced the front SAM for a 2001 C240 at Helms Brothers Mercedes in Queens New York today. The part costs $391.68, and 3 hours labor at $110 per hour. I had a problem starting the car. It would intermittantly have no crank at all. Then after inserting and removing the smartkey a few times it would crankup and start perfectly. One time it started up just fine but would not let me shift out of park after I pressed the brake. I also got an ABS and low brake lining warning light. I hope the new SAM solves the problem. So far so good.
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
I just replaced the front SAM for a 2001 C240 at Helms Brothers Mercedes in Queens New York today. The part costs $391.68, and 3 hours labor at $110 per hour. I had a problem starting the car. It would intermittantly have no crank at all. Then after inserting and removing the smartkey a few times it would crankup and start perfectly. One time it started up just fine but would not let me shift out of park after I pressed the brake. I also got an ABS and low brake lining warning light. I hope the new SAM solves the problem. So far so good.
No sensor needed :lol:
