New member with electrical issue
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2015
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E500 Wagon W211
New member with electrical issue
This is my first post in this forum. Hopefully I am in the right place.
Picked up an 04 E500 Wagon a few weeks ago and I love it!
Yesterday, I drove to work and it was raining a little dark and foggy...so I had my fogs and headlights on. Well, I forgot to turn the lights back to the off position and my lights were all all day while I was working. Got back to the car and the doors wouldn't unlock. Opened the car with the physical key and wouldn't you know it...dead. So I had my brother grab some jumpers and we jumped the battery from under the hood. Car started after a few minutes and went into Battery Protection Mode.
I made it home limping (not limp home mode)...battery is still a little weak. Started it this morning to go to work and it cranked right over. I am going to put it on a charger this weekend since the battery is new.
Since the jump...I've had a few issues. Everything in the car works correctly except a few things I've noticed so far.
First: The turn signal indicator lamps on the gauge cluter are not illuminating when the turn signals are activated. The turn signals actually work, but they are not indicated on the gauge cluster.
Second: The ESP off button does nothing. No light on the gauge cluster or on the hud in the VDO gauge.
Everything so far has worked: Heated seats, steering wheel, Airmatic, lighting, etc.
Have I fried my gauge cluster or is this a common thing to happen?
If more information is needed I can check some things this weekend.
Love the car, love the quality and ride. I'm used to driving Subarus, their electrical systems are much less elaborate, but I am handy with a multimeter and such.
Picked up an 04 E500 Wagon a few weeks ago and I love it!
Yesterday, I drove to work and it was raining a little dark and foggy...so I had my fogs and headlights on. Well, I forgot to turn the lights back to the off position and my lights were all all day while I was working. Got back to the car and the doors wouldn't unlock. Opened the car with the physical key and wouldn't you know it...dead. So I had my brother grab some jumpers and we jumped the battery from under the hood. Car started after a few minutes and went into Battery Protection Mode.
I made it home limping (not limp home mode)...battery is still a little weak. Started it this morning to go to work and it cranked right over. I am going to put it on a charger this weekend since the battery is new.
Since the jump...I've had a few issues. Everything in the car works correctly except a few things I've noticed so far.
First: The turn signal indicator lamps on the gauge cluter are not illuminating when the turn signals are activated. The turn signals actually work, but they are not indicated on the gauge cluster.
Second: The ESP off button does nothing. No light on the gauge cluster or on the hud in the VDO gauge.
Everything so far has worked: Heated seats, steering wheel, Airmatic, lighting, etc.
Have I fried my gauge cluster or is this a common thing to happen?
If more information is needed I can check some things this weekend.
Love the car, love the quality and ride. I'm used to driving Subarus, their electrical systems are much less elaborate, but I am handy with a multimeter and such.
Last edited by OGdanks; Nov 13, 2015 at 04:46 PM. Reason: Clarification
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,636
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Reactivate steering angle sensor this may clear malfunction: start engine, turn steering wheel from one lock position to the other then center it. If unsuccessful, definitive diagnose have someone pull fault codes with MB DAS.
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Joined: Nov 2015
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E500 Wagon W211
Thanks for the quick reply! I tried the steering angle sensor and it didn't work. I'll have to bring it to a service center with the proper diagnostic tools. Needs a wheel bearing as well so I can kill two birds with one stone.
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Joined: Nov 2015
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E500 Wagon W211
Weekend update:
Car has battery protection on when car was started this morning. Hard to turn over. Battery is weak. Once I drove for about 10 miles the malfunction went off. Still no idiot lights on the dash (turn signals, high beam, etc.) and ESP off does nothing. Everything else is working though.
Car has battery protection on when car was started this morning. Hard to turn over. Battery is weak. Once I drove for about 10 miles the malfunction went off. Still no idiot lights on the dash (turn signals, high beam, etc.) and ESP off does nothing. Everything else is working though.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,225
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Car batteries don't like to be discharged below 50%, while you managed to discharge 100%
Even the battery come back to some degree, I don't think it is reliable now and likely your problems come from low voltage.
Replace the battery, reset the steering sensor and report back.
Even the battery come back to some degree, I don't think it is reliable now and likely your problems come from low voltage.
Replace the battery, reset the steering sensor and report back.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Or take the battery out and put it on a charger. While a discharged battery will reduce overall life, a single instance where the battery is discharged doesn't mean it's no good.
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