Crazy Electrical Issues - 2001 CLK 430 Convertible
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Top trouble
I am having similar issues,same flashing on the switch. It's built in to the system to let you know problems. I think you have 2 problems. #1 a bad battery, probably a shorted cell even if it's a new battery. #2 same as me, im about to order a hydraulic lock cylinder for the tonneau cover and the roof to tonneau cover since it's been suggested they go bad nearly the same time. A couple hundred. I don't want to touch it twice. My top started opening with a really hard pop noise on release and a crunching sound when it closes, much louder than the usual ,indicating the cylinder seals are worn and not holding fluid pressure to open and close properly. Its forcing to open and may damage the latch and straining the rest of the cylinders. There's a rebuild service on line advertised to repair and improve on the seals for all 6 or 8 ,however many for $800-900.00. I'm going the cheaper route first, then this last when the rest goes. I don't know if the fluid pressure from the hydraulic locks is picked up on diagnostics but other poster already said , 15 yr old car. Don't know your mileage but if it helps, I bought mine in 8 years ago, 2002, clk55, 47k , from original owner, been garaged from original and now at 63k driven very carefully, garaged, no winters and good roads. Obviously the top doesn't care about how much I've babied it. I'll probably do a fluid change when I find the pump and figure out what kind and how much fluid it takes. I wish it was a manually operated top. Too much micro managed technology , but I wouldn't take a million for it.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2003 CLK430
I'm wondering if you ever found the root of this issue. Recently, my 2003 has been doing the same thing. ABS, BAS, ESP codes and now the windows won't roll up or down. Is it a relay? The vehicle has no electrical schematic and I have been able to find the documentation and the operator's manual has nothing. I read through the forum and and haven't found the solution. Any thoughts?
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
2002 CLK 430
I'm wondering if you ever found the root of this issue. Recently, my 2003 has been doing the same thing. ABS, BAS, ESP codes and now the windows won't roll up or down. Is it a relay? The vehicle has no electrical schematic and I have been able to find the documentation and the operator's manual has nothing. I read through the forum and and haven't found the solution. Any thoughts?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
W163, W208
Everyone please read my latest post regarding this, it might work for you.
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...t-working.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...t-working.html
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I have the same problem
I have the same issues that have been listed by others in bits and pieces on other threads but can't seem to find a consolidated answer. Car is a CLK 430 2001 Convertible. The battery ran down really low and weird electrical issues have happened ever since.
History: A friend borrowed my car and was driving when the front serpentine belt cracked off due to a bad pulley. Thus the alernator wasn't running so he was running on battery. Battery ran very low apparently. (We won't go into the overheating and possible blown head gasket) He said he only noticed situation when lights dimmed and he noticed loss of power steering and some error messages. Replaced the pulley and belt and recharged battery a bit and the car started fine.
Issue: After a day or two the convertible top switch was on when I got into the car and I could not raise or lower the windows using the switches inside. A couple days later the side mirrors would not move and I could not open the trunk using the switch side (near the window switches). Side note: I can open and close the windows (just the front 2) using my remote so its not a power window motor issue.
I ran diagnostics and get no errors from the Advanced Auto parts reader and all fuses were checks and ok. Battery fully charged according to the readings.
I unhooked the battery and everything worked and I turned off the car. The next time I started it windows, side mirrors, trunk switch and opening trunk using remote did not work. Convertible top switch is also illuminated.
Note: During the summer the convertible top worked fine but on a couple occasions after and rain and a on a couple of days when it was cold in the morning I would come out to go to work and start the car and the red convertible top switch would be illuminated and I could not raise or lower the windows. After driving a bit the light on the switch would go out and I could raise and lower the windows. This only happened a couple times and since it self corrected I didn't spend any time researching. I am thinking this may be related.
History: A friend borrowed my car and was driving when the front serpentine belt cracked off due to a bad pulley. Thus the alernator wasn't running so he was running on battery. Battery ran very low apparently. (We won't go into the overheating and possible blown head gasket) He said he only noticed situation when lights dimmed and he noticed loss of power steering and some error messages. Replaced the pulley and belt and recharged battery a bit and the car started fine.
Issue: After a day or two the convertible top switch was on when I got into the car and I could not raise or lower the windows using the switches inside. A couple days later the side mirrors would not move and I could not open the trunk using the switch side (near the window switches). Side note: I can open and close the windows (just the front 2) using my remote so its not a power window motor issue.
I ran diagnostics and get no errors from the Advanced Auto parts reader and all fuses were checks and ok. Battery fully charged according to the readings.
I unhooked the battery and everything worked and I turned off the car. The next time I started it windows, side mirrors, trunk switch and opening trunk using remote did not work. Convertible top switch is also illuminated.
Note: During the summer the convertible top worked fine but on a couple occasions after and rain and a on a couple of days when it was cold in the morning I would come out to go to work and start the car and the red convertible top switch would be illuminated and I could not raise or lower the windows. After driving a bit the light on the switch would go out and I could raise and lower the windows. This only happened a couple times and since it self corrected I didn't spend any time researching. I am thinking this may be related.
