GL Class (X164) 2007-2012: GL320CDI, GL420CDI, GL450, GL550

Windshield wipers not working? 09' GL450

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Old Apr 11, 2016 | 08:58 AM
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2009 GL450
Exclamation Windshield wipers not working? 09' GL450

Hi all!

I have a 2009 GL450 that had the wipers decide to go out on my wife when she was driving on the Turnpike while raining. We haven't had this issue before and we've owned the vehicle for about 6 months now. After searching online fast about the hood needing to be closed for wipers to work I then had at least a starting point.

When I got to the vehicle the wipers worked only about 10% of the time when I turned the car on/off and hit the stalk. I looked at the hood closed switch and saw a small piece of debris where the contact was so I lodged that out and it seemed after shutting the hood, the wipers turned back on and worked the rest of the day, I thought all was well.

Today I got another call from the wife when taking the kids to school, the wipers stopped working on the way back home (while raining). So apparently the debris wasn't the root cause for what is going on.

I don't have any diagnostic tool, if I purchased one, would that go deep enough to tell me if there is a sensor not being made? My only thing to go off right now is the hood switch is going bad? I thought I read somewhere though that over 5mph, the wipers should work regardless of that switch being made (for obvious safety reasons). I also read something about the drivers door switch but would that be the same assumption with speed and overridding it? If so, something else is causing the wipers to stop while the vehicle is driving down the road at 70mph.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!
Andy
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Old May 11, 2016 | 01:49 PM
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I have taken the vehicle to a local indy that works on European cars and he has had the vehicle for a couple days now. He just called and informed me that the issue is that it needs a new front SAM module. He mentioned he was surprised that we didn't get any SRS errors on the dash as that generally points quickly to a SAM module.

He did mention upon his tests, the error code that was showing up in the diagnostic was a stuck motor BUT he said that he was not seeing the wiper signal becoming activated when turning the knob on the wiper stalk. The rear wiper works fine and 100% of the time when requested, it is only the front wipers that do not work anymore on any of the settings. The fuses checked out and the cluster (wiper stalk) checked out he said.

I have a feeling that since I have the stalk working fine, and no SRS errors that it may NOT be the SAM module but a relay like you had an issue with. I'll certainly test the theory with someone in the passenger seat, I don't believe I've had someone in the passenger seat when trying this other than the initial time they stopped working. While that's probably shooting in the dark, it is worth a try.

I'm not looking forward to spending the $1,000 to replace the front SAM module right off the bat without bouncing this off of a few people online. Any thoughts?
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Old May 11, 2016 | 02:00 PM
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I'm not sure, this is the very first time I've gone to this mechanic, they specialize in European vehicles so I took it there. Where is the front wiper relay located?
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Old May 11, 2016 | 02:46 PM
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Is there a relay map online somewhere? I can't seem to find anything.

I have the vehicle in my possession now as of this afternoon so I'd like to check it myself now before I pay him to do additional work.
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Old May 11, 2016 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Plutoe
Post your VIN!!
9A462363
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Old May 12, 2016 | 07:02 AM
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My apologies Plutoe!

4JGBF71E29A462363
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Old May 12, 2016 | 10:02 AM
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Thank you Plutoe, maybe that is why the INDY pointed me to the SAM unit needing replaced.

When I order a new front SAM (which it appears is under the passenger seat), it says it needs programmed. Is that something that I swap out and take to the dealer (does the car even run) or do I take it to the dealer first, they program it to my VIN, then I install it? Thank you so much for all of the help!
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Old May 12, 2016 | 01:29 PM
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From what I can tell, this is the correct front SAM for my 2009 GL450. I would just purchase that and then take it to the dealer and they would put it in?

http://www.oemercedesbenzparts.com/o...enz/1649004101

I was hoping to avoid as much dealer labor as possible but if they need to uninstall my current sam to program the new one, I imagine they will charge a couple hours of labor?
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