W169, 2007, petrol, manual. Voltage drop, possible SAM module or relay problem?
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Hello everybody!
I'm new here and as I was reading some q&a, I found this very useful so wanted to post my problem too hoping to get some answers that would eventually solve my problem too as I don't trust so much "specialists" around here where I live. They try only to get from you whatever you can spend and also remove good parts of the car to resell them to you or someone else later...
Long story short: my w169 (manual transmission)was lpg converted (landi renzo) before I bought it. It has problems running on lpg if on electrical load ( other devices are turned on at the same time). It has voltage drop on petrol too but it runs fairly well (perhaps the lpg system is more sensitive or requires more energy).
Actual electrical problems: side mirrors won't regulate, initially it was just the right side one; srs light stays on (the previous owner said it stayed on after he had the passenger seat removed); petrol gauge works occassionally; reverse gear lamp works occassionally too; radio goes from cd to fm by itself from time to time; when I try to close the windows, specially the rear right, they go back down to e certain point by themselves; sometimes I get on the warning screen that the right mirror turn signal is not working but as I turn it on and go check, it works fine. All this happens in both petrol or lpg.
From more than a month I have kept the voltmeter on my screen to check it all the time while driving. When voltage drops suddenly to about 13v or less the lpg system will make the car shake a lot (misfire).
When back to petrol it won't feel it so much.
Running the car on petrol only, I have put it on load thinking that the problem would be only from the lpg but when I turn on the ac and rear windshield heater the voltage goes to 12.8-13.0 v. Local "specialists" tell me that this is normal even though I know this is not from reading your helpful answers.
From what I have read till now It can be the srs connector under the passenger seat or a relay/ sam promblem; perhaps pins need to be cleaned or so. Anyway I won't make any move without getting your very helpful opinion first.
I can add additional information if it's needed.
Heartfelt thank you in advance!
Stay healthy and take care!
I'm new here and as I was reading some q&a, I found this very useful so wanted to post my problem too hoping to get some answers that would eventually solve my problem too as I don't trust so much "specialists" around here where I live. They try only to get from you whatever you can spend and also remove good parts of the car to resell them to you or someone else later...
Long story short: my w169 (manual transmission)was lpg converted (landi renzo) before I bought it. It has problems running on lpg if on electrical load ( other devices are turned on at the same time). It has voltage drop on petrol too but it runs fairly well (perhaps the lpg system is more sensitive or requires more energy).
Actual electrical problems: side mirrors won't regulate, initially it was just the right side one; srs light stays on (the previous owner said it stayed on after he had the passenger seat removed); petrol gauge works occassionally; reverse gear lamp works occassionally too; radio goes from cd to fm by itself from time to time; when I try to close the windows, specially the rear right, they go back down to e certain point by themselves; sometimes I get on the warning screen that the right mirror turn signal is not working but as I turn it on and go check, it works fine. All this happens in both petrol or lpg.
From more than a month I have kept the voltmeter on my screen to check it all the time while driving. When voltage drops suddenly to about 13v or less the lpg system will make the car shake a lot (misfire).
When back to petrol it won't feel it so much.
Running the car on petrol only, I have put it on load thinking that the problem would be only from the lpg but when I turn on the ac and rear windshield heater the voltage goes to 12.8-13.0 v. Local "specialists" tell me that this is normal even though I know this is not from reading your helpful answers.
From what I have read till now It can be the srs connector under the passenger seat or a relay/ sam promblem; perhaps pins need to be cleaned or so. Anyway I won't make any move without getting your very helpful opinion first.
I can add additional information if it's needed.
Heartfelt thank you in advance!
Stay healthy and take care!
Newbie
Actual electrical problems: side mirrors won't regulate, initially it was just the right side one; sometimes I get on the warning screen that the right mirror turn signal is not working but as I turn it on and go check, it works fine.
- What do you mean won't regulate? Do you mean the motor is malfunctioning? Do you have the folding mirror option or do you like to manually fold them after ignition off on a regular basis? Cause I have a w169 Petrol also and with option folding mirror now cables inside are weaken and broken... my left side mirror left is alternatively working meaning not when folded, only when unfolded due to damaged cable. So for this issue (mine is left side), you need to remove both side mirror and rewire cables - I've already ordered some part to do it it's pretty easy if you want I can provide you with guidance when I'll do the job in few weeks while waiting for the parts to arrive.
srs light stays on (the previous owner said it stayed on after he had the passenger seat removed);
- For this one, I'm not sure better checking on YouTube I saw some malfunction of SRS on our w169 as it's a common failure you should find information on that one. And yeah, check your pins and wires to start with.
Petrol gauge works occassionally;
- Doesn't seem to come from the instrument cluster, look at continuity wires again like SRS or gauge sensor but I'm not sure. Do you have Xentry DAS? You can perform testing more easily with that.
Reverse gear lamp works occassionally too; radio goes from cd to fm by itself from time to time; when I try to close the windows, specially the rear right, they go back down to e certain point by themselves;
You are right that SAM module is controlling rear lamp.. it also handle comfort modules such as Radio, lights and windows. Maybe bad connection with SAM but check the basics first (fuse, wire continuity) before looking into the SAM itself as it's a bit long to remove.
- What do you mean won't regulate? Do you mean the motor is malfunctioning? Do you have the folding mirror option or do you like to manually fold them after ignition off on a regular basis? Cause I have a w169 Petrol also and with option folding mirror now cables inside are weaken and broken... my left side mirror left is alternatively working meaning not when folded, only when unfolded due to damaged cable. So for this issue (mine is left side), you need to remove both side mirror and rewire cables - I've already ordered some part to do it it's pretty easy if you want I can provide you with guidance when I'll do the job in few weeks while waiting for the parts to arrive.
srs light stays on (the previous owner said it stayed on after he had the passenger seat removed);
- For this one, I'm not sure better checking on YouTube I saw some malfunction of SRS on our w169 as it's a common failure you should find information on that one. And yeah, check your pins and wires to start with.
Petrol gauge works occassionally;
- Doesn't seem to come from the instrument cluster, look at continuity wires again like SRS or gauge sensor but I'm not sure. Do you have Xentry DAS? You can perform testing more easily with that.
Reverse gear lamp works occassionally too; radio goes from cd to fm by itself from time to time; when I try to close the windows, specially the rear right, they go back down to e certain point by themselves;
You are right that SAM module is controlling rear lamp.. it also handle comfort modules such as Radio, lights and windows. Maybe bad connection with SAM but check the basics first (fuse, wire continuity) before looking into the SAM itself as it's a bit long to remove.
Hello Mbud,
There is an update to the actual situation: I replaced the alternator but it didn't fix the problems. The only thing fixed was the SRS light that went off after connecting back the battery.
Other things that I have done: cleaned many ground connections, checked SAM for signs of water damage or corrosion and checked the water drains. When checking the water drains and following the water from the front windshield, I noticed that the water comes out of the car near the alternator and AC compressor. The next days I'll check to see what the problem might be.
About the side mirrors: they won't regulate the angle (folded or not). The left one used to work but it's not working anymore. They fold normally though. Anyway when you work on the mirrors it would be useful for me and others to see the actual condition and source of problem and how will it be when fixed.
Thank you for your answers!
I'll keep you and others who may read the thread updated in the next days.
There is an update to the actual situation: I replaced the alternator but it didn't fix the problems. The only thing fixed was the SRS light that went off after connecting back the battery.
Other things that I have done: cleaned many ground connections, checked SAM for signs of water damage or corrosion and checked the water drains. When checking the water drains and following the water from the front windshield, I noticed that the water comes out of the car near the alternator and AC compressor. The next days I'll check to see what the problem might be.
About the side mirrors: they won't regulate the angle (folded or not). The left one used to work but it's not working anymore. They fold normally though. Anyway when you work on the mirrors it would be useful for me and others to see the actual condition and source of problem and how will it be when fixed.
Thank you for your answers!
I'll keep you and others who may read the thread updated in the next days.
