Slipperwagon

My son has bought a W211 E500 with a fancy retrimmed C209 steering wheel on it
Now the airbag insides seem to be missing as its soft when you press for the horn instead of hard. Also the horn and steering wheel controls dont work.
So i imagine he needs an airbag for a C209.
Also on my Launch code reader it is coming up with faulty steering angle sensor.
So it looks like he needs a squib (clock) ring also.
Can he use a W211 or a C209

tjts1

It sounds like someone installed an incompatible steering wheel on your 211. Switch it back to stock. Be aware that not all 211 steering wheels are interchangable. There were several generations throughout the production run. A 209 steering wheel is compatible with your 211 IF it's the correct model year.

Slipperwagon

Thanks. Issue is the car only came with that steering wheel on it when he bought it

Slipperwagon

Thats the wheel thats on his car

tjts1

What year is the car?

juanmor40

Hopefully, you can sort it out.

My approach to buying used MBs is that they must be stock because once you start seeing wires/connectors/adaptions, you are getting Pandora's box. Also, to actively listen to the seller for comments hinting to someone deleting/deactivating/getting rid of whatever from the car. These cars are sophisticated computers on wheels, and they are getting worse in the coming years.

Slipperwagon

53 plate 03/04

tjts1

Okay so whoever did the steering wheel swap tried to put a later 209 wheel in an early car. The proper way to do this swap is to change out the wheel, part of the steering column and a wiring harness adapter. It sounds like they never did that. Early cars (pre 05) use a completely different linbus set up steering column hence the need for the column swap. So your options are to either find another 03 steering wheel to put back in or get the later steering column. Here's how to do that swap correctly.
https://imgur.com/a/CtdpRoF

juanmor40

Because of such as different era between the donor and the recipient (of the wheel), I would not be surprised if there is a bunch of wire matching/soldering behind the wheel instead of just standard MB connections/harness from the steering column to the wheel. . Hopefull the harnesses are intact and with standard connectors.

Slipperwagon

wow seems like a whole lot of work. I think gind the correct wheel for it and sell the one that is on it I will wip it off the weekend and look for a part number and post it up.

juanmor40

Not a bad idea.. Fingers crossed the harnesses are intact, so it should be plug-and-play to the original wheel.

lthlc63

you can run that wheel but you will need to upgrade the clockspring and wiring harness.
its not a hard job by any means. but it will set you back $200, which is still less than a new wheel and airbag