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‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
Strange issue .. need advice
2008 Gl450, have a weird issue where the sound only comes on when I turn the headlights on? If I turn off the headlights off the sound cuts out.. any idea? Rear sam was completely cleaned as the trunk has gotten water in it due to a very poor design by Mercedes.
I would also check under the drivers in the passenger seat… If your rear Sam has had water in it, odds are the front Sam also does.
It’s just inherent in the design when you place all the sensitive electronics in the false floor underneath the beltline that any water leak through the cabin, air filter box or tail light seals or third row sunroof will all accumulate in that space.
I would have the car read out on a MB star system, or if you have an Aurel 808 with a Mercedes specific module, and interrogate/short test the whole car and see which modules aren’t answering. Those will be your water damaged ones and those will be the ones causing the interruptions.
if you’re unable to DIY, this expect to pay out the nose, probably more than the car is worth to get everything fixed.
‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
Hello,
thanks for the response. All those areas are dry of water and I am totally a DIY as o have the Mercedes star computer. At first I wasn’t even getting Audio but after cleaning the board I regained audio. That said I already had the rear same read and no errors came up. Replacing the sam isn’t a big deal as I can get used one with warranty on eBay and reprogram it to my car. Just trying to figure out if the light switch is related to the front sam or rear sam.
Originally Posted by Max Blast
I would also check under the drivers in the passenger seat… If your rear Sam has had water in it, odds are the front Sam also does.
It’s just inherent in the design when you place all the sensitive electronics in the false floor underneath the beltline that any water leak through the cabin, air filter box or tail light seals or third row sunroof will all accumulate in that space.
I would have the car read out on a MB star system, or if you have an Aurel 808 with a Mercedes specific module, and interrogate/short test the whole car and see which modules aren’t answering. Those will be your water damaged ones and those will be the ones causing the interruptions.
if you’re unable to DIY, this expect to pay out the nose, probably more than the car is worth to get everything fixed.
I can’t confirm this, but it makes sense that the lights and audio are on the front Sam. I will have intermittent audio every now and then when the air conditioning drain is clogged and I have some moisture in the dash that’s sloshing around and cut out the command unit. Not related to a SAM.
so rule that out first.
I know that the fuel pumps and fuel sensors are on the rear SAM so I think the division line would be right behind the B pillar, but Mercedes may not have followed my logic.
Welcome to the 164 forum, you sound like our kind of guy, fully DIY and equipped with star.
‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
unfortunately I own 4 Mercedes so I am use to this poor design thing. I am heavily active on the w221 forum so
Originally Posted by Max Blast
I can’t confirm this, but it makes sense that the lights and audio are on the front Sam. I will have intermittent audio every now and then when the air conditioning drain is clogged and I have some moisture in the dash that’s sloshing around and cut out the command unit. Not related to a SAM.
so rule that out first.
I know that the fuel pumps and fuel sensors are on the rear SAM so I think the division line would be right behind the B pillar, but Mercedes may not have followed my logic.
Welcome to the 164 forum, you sound like our kind of guy, fully DIY and equipped with star.
Looking up "glutton for punishment" in my dictionary to see your picture is there
If you have the stomach for it, the wiring diagrams in WIS should tell you where the radio etc connects, to front or rear SAM. There also are block diagrams.
looking up "glutton for punishment" in my dictionary to see your picture is there
If you have the stomach for it, the wiring diagrams in WIS should tell you where the radio etc connects, to front or rear SAM. There also are block diagrams.
I replaced one Audio amp under the driver seat that was sitting in a few inches of water. You might as well pull up the driver seat and take a look. Mine was intermittent for quite a few weeks before it finally puked.
Glad to see you joined us “Gluttens” .
I just bought another 164 and after a bunch of maintenance got a few trips under my belt and will be starting a front wheel bearing project in the AM… was surprised I have a failure under 80k miles?? Well kinda of surprised 😂..
Ok welcome to the party also have a couple of Star Systems and will gladly learn what I can from you on the Star systems.
‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
hello,
I owned this 08 since 2012, have replaced the amp before and actually to prevent water building up I took out the drain plugs that are near the amp. I have also checked all those areas prone to getting water and they are completely dry. As preventative maintenance all the drain plugs have been removed so that no water can build up. As far is my issue it’s clear to me based on the fuse diagram that the light switch and instrument cluster is fuse 55 on the rear fuse panel which is obviously connected to the rear same. My issue is probably the rear sam board got too much water somewhere on it and is causing my issue. As I said I have owned enough Mercedes to know they were built like crap lol . I will buy a new rear sam and program it. I don’t plan on keeping this truck past November of this year. Nothing is wrong with except this issue and is actually at 98k miles. All the suspension parts have been replaced and the transmission service was done at 50k miles and I will do it again in the near future.
Originally Posted by vesiadog
I replaced one Audio amp under the driver seat that was sitting in a few inches of water. You might as well pull up the driver seat and take a look. Mine was intermittent for quite a few weeks before it finally puked.
Glad to see you joined us “Gluttens” .
I just bought another 164 and after a bunch of maintenance got a few trips under my belt and will be starting a front wheel bearing project in the AM… was surprised I have a failure under 80k miles?? Well kinda of surprised 😂..
Ok welcome to the party also have a couple of Star Systems and will gladly learn what I can from you on the Star systems.
‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
sunroof isn’t looking.. headliner is fine and if leaking the headliner would show marks.. the leak was coming from the anti-pinch molding.. but please show me what the d-pillar fuse box looks like. I am assuming the one your referring to is above the oem subwoofer
Originally Posted by Max Blast
My money is on the after fuse block in the right rear d-pillar.
If you have a third row sunroof leak, this one is usually a wash in water.
sunroof isn’t looking.. headliner is fine and if leaking the headliner would show marks.. the leak was coming from the anti-pinch molding.. but please show me what the d-pillar fuse box looks like. I am assuming the one your referring to is above the oem subwoofer
yes, that one. usually dripping with yellow hydraulic fluid from a leaking ram right above it, or rainwater from either the tail seals or the third row sunroof bond.
very sticky and gooey friction tape that wraps those wires are a telltale sign of moisture in there.
‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
my guess is that it’s the rear sam but I will replace that fuse panel too
Originally Posted by Max Blast
yes, that one. usually dripping with yellow hydraulic fluid from a leaking ram right above it, or rainwater from either the tail seals or the third row sunroof bond.
Do you think it is strictly a power issue or fiber optic loop with the amp? Does anything else cutout ? Cd player? XMradio? fm/am radio?
with the exception of the CD changer, isn’t all that under the driver side second row seat?
if those are the boxes, I’m thinking of they’re fairly well elevated over the gas tank caps to be out of the way of sloshing water. Could be Coke or latte damage though.
yes, that one. usually dripping with yellow hydraulic fluid from a leaking ram right above it, or rainwater from either the tail seals or the third row sunroof bond.
very sticky and gooey friction tape that wraps those wires are a telltale sign of moisture in there.
You guys are going to start a new betting game…
I am still leaning to something in the fiber loop only gets powered with the lights which will go back to a nasty fuse box ?
‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
Just ordered a fairly new fuse box with warranty and fairly used rear sam with warranty. I am also spraying the circuit boards with silicone spray made for printed circuit boards. This way it will protect them from water for the soon to be new owner of the truck lol
Just ordered a fairly new fuse box with warranty and fairly used rear sam with warranty. I am also spraying the circuit boards with silicone spray made for printed circuit boards. This way it will protect them from water for the soon to be new owner of the truck lol
Can you take a few pics when you program the rear sam? Something I would like to learn thanks
‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
lol, I ordered a brand new rear sam from AliExpress. I know all the negative talk about AliExpress but I can return it if any issues. I don’t plan on keep the truck more than another 5 months or so as my wife wants a newer truck and v6. Regardless anytime I have ever traded or sold a car I always try to make sure everything works for the new owner just kinda my thing. I also bought something that was recommended to me by a Mercedes tech to protect the sam circuit board. It apparently protects the board from water and corrosion.. lol I guess Mercedes should also start selling it.
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