SRS Failure Light Repair Problem
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 3
From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
SRS Failure Light Repair Problem
Last week my SRS failure light came on out of the blue one night in my 2003 E500. I took the vehicle to my local MB Dealer and they replaced the SRS Cable Connector and Cable Harness - $98 for parts. The labor however was $517 for a total of over $600 even with the 10% discount. Yesterday while driving the SRS Failure Light came on again and stayed on all day so I'm going to take the vehicle back to the dealer again.
I did a Google Search and found the latest TSB for this SRS problem P-B-91.60/99b of April 13, 2006 and after reading it, sounds exactly like my problem and the fix my dealer performed. Since there is a TSB on this issue, and my vehicle is out of warranty, should I ask my MB dealer to get MBUSA to cover the repair costs, especially since I'm having to take the vehicle back again for the SRS repair work and if the SRS problem is something else from what they already repaired, I may have paid for a "fix" I didn't need! And my understanding is that an SRS system shouldn't fail prior to about 10 years.......my E500 is only 7 years old with only 83,500 miles on it. Advice please!
I did a Google Search and found the latest TSB for this SRS problem P-B-91.60/99b of April 13, 2006 and after reading it, sounds exactly like my problem and the fix my dealer performed. Since there is a TSB on this issue, and my vehicle is out of warranty, should I ask my MB dealer to get MBUSA to cover the repair costs, especially since I'm having to take the vehicle back again for the SRS repair work and if the SRS problem is something else from what they already repaired, I may have paid for a "fix" I didn't need! And my understanding is that an SRS system shouldn't fail prior to about 10 years.......my E500 is only 7 years old with only 83,500 miles on it. Advice please!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 3
From: McLean, VA
2003 E500 Benz & 2015 BMW M235ix
Okay.....here's latest status. My MB Service Rep says the SRS error code now indicates the Clock Spring needs replacement for an additional $400. Last Friday they said the SRS error code required replacment of the wiring harness through DTB P-B-91.60/99e dated March 4, 2009......that repair was $600. I find it highly unlikely that the SRS wiring harness would fail and then get repaired, and then two days later the SRS Clock Spring fails? I now wonder if the SRS wiring harness was defective or not.......but that's the code that they found the first time. And they will not do a Good Will repair due to the age of my vehicle (over 7 years old.....but only 83,500 miles) but will give me a "wholesale" discount on this second repair.....whatever that is. My Service Rep admitted that he's seen very few of these type failures. They also talked to the local MBUSA Rep and he won't cover any of these costs.......I was advised I could contact MBUSA myself but it appears to be a lost cause?
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
2020 GLE350
The clockspring is only $83.95 at parts.com. If you are so inclined, you may be able to replace it yourself, it is just a matter of taking the steering wheel off, the clockspring sits right behind it. There are a couple of DIY how-tos on these forums on how to take the wheel off. The only thing is that you will need to take it back to the dealer to clear the code, so they may tag you on that, unless they do it as a good will gesture for replacing the harness that was most likely not the issue.
