Ghosts In the Machine
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas USA
Ghosts In the Machine
04 E320 that really has been a good car. First couple months it had a big issue but nothing since then. It has only been intermittent, nagging problems like...
1. Sometimes, the sound system will get stuck. I can't change the station, volume or even turn it off. The only 'fix' is to turn the car off and then restart. Admittedly, this happens only about once every 4 months or so.
2. Sometimes, the sunroof will refuse to close when using the 'one touch' feature. I will push the button past the click, hold it a sec, and the sunroof will start closing. I let go of the button and it keeps closing. I look back up a couple secs later and it is open. This happens about half the time I try to close the sunroof. It does close when I continue to hold the button so it isn't the end of the world.
3. Sometimes, the car will not recognize one of my keys for the Keyless Go functions. The other key works fine and I just use it. I got tired of standing outside my MB locked out.
4. Sometimes, starting last week, none of the windows will roll down. I discovered this last Thursday while going through a drive thru. The next morning the windows worked fine. Later in the day, they won't work and this is a problem.
So I have finally broken down and scheduled a service appt for this Wed. I have to admit that I am real pessimistic that they will fix these problems since they do not occur every time.
If anyone has any advice on these problems or pointers on getting 'sometimes' problems fixed I would appreciate it.
Maybe I am just trying to talk myself into a new E (or 5 series) but these minor issues are starting to really frustrate me. I am such a fan of MB I would hate to switch.
1. Sometimes, the sound system will get stuck. I can't change the station, volume or even turn it off. The only 'fix' is to turn the car off and then restart. Admittedly, this happens only about once every 4 months or so.
2. Sometimes, the sunroof will refuse to close when using the 'one touch' feature. I will push the button past the click, hold it a sec, and the sunroof will start closing. I let go of the button and it keeps closing. I look back up a couple secs later and it is open. This happens about half the time I try to close the sunroof. It does close when I continue to hold the button so it isn't the end of the world.
3. Sometimes, the car will not recognize one of my keys for the Keyless Go functions. The other key works fine and I just use it. I got tired of standing outside my MB locked out.
4. Sometimes, starting last week, none of the windows will roll down. I discovered this last Thursday while going through a drive thru. The next morning the windows worked fine. Later in the day, they won't work and this is a problem.
So I have finally broken down and scheduled a service appt for this Wed. I have to admit that I am real pessimistic that they will fix these problems since they do not occur every time.
If anyone has any advice on these problems or pointers on getting 'sometimes' problems fixed I would appreciate it.
Maybe I am just trying to talk myself into a new E (or 5 series) but these minor issues are starting to really frustrate me. I am such a fan of MB I would hate to switch.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
#1. There is an Audio Gateway software update and headunit software update that will take care of that problem. Worst case scenario is that they may have to replace the audio gateway.
#2. More than likely the sunroof rails need to be cleaned and lubed. 95% of the time this takes care of that problem.
#3. I am willing to bet that the battery in the keyless go card is dead or the key may need to be replaced. Check the key battery by pressing the button for a second and the red LED should flash.
#4. I have never run into that problem but it could be something to do with the door control module.
#2. More than likely the sunroof rails need to be cleaned and lubed. 95% of the time this takes care of that problem.
#3. I am willing to bet that the battery in the keyless go card is dead or the key may need to be replaced. Check the key battery by pressing the button for a second and the red LED should flash.
#4. I have never run into that problem but it could be something to do with the door control module.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
On #2, did you try resynchronizing the sunroof per the manual? Push up on the switch until the roof is fully raised at the rear, and then keep pushing up on the switch for a second or so. The manual recommends removing and replacing the sunroof fuse before doing this, but I haven't found that necessary. Every so often my sunroof gets flaky in one way or another, and so far resynchronizing has always fixed it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 47
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From: Dallas, Texas USA
Thanks for the responses. I feel much better about these things getting fixed with the info. Windows still scare me though.
Racing Fool -- #3 Replaced batteries in key twice. Seems to have juice.
Barry -- I remember you got your 04 about the same time as me and you were one of the first Sirius installs. See that you got a new ride....sounds great... congrats. Hope the new one can handle the coring duties.
Racing Fool -- #3 Replaced batteries in key twice. Seems to have juice.
Barry -- I remember you got your 04 about the same time as me and you were one of the first Sirius installs. See that you got a new ride....sounds great... congrats. Hope the new one can handle the coring duties.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
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From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
the tub of lubricant that we use is #A001-989-46-51. If I remember correctly, it is pretty expensive and will be more than anyone can use on 100+ cars. I don't know if they offer any smaller tubes though
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas USA
Well Racin_Fool was right on with the diagnosis. It was the software on the audio system, the sunroof needed lubrication, and the driver door module was bad. They are having to replace one of my keys though. Thanks for your input Racin_Fool.
It took them so long to get my car where it would consistently start when I first got it that I was pessimistic about their success on these small problems. I don't want to jinx myself, but I was real pleased with the service yesterday.
It took them so long to get my car where it would consistently start when I first got it that I was pessimistic about their success on these small problems. I don't want to jinx myself, but I was real pleased with the service yesterday.
