BigKutta

Hello all - I'm getting this message on the main display in the dash "Display Malfunction Visit Workshop". Based on this, none of the turn signal are working, inside indicator and the actual indicators outside. Neither are the reverse indicator lights working outside. My son who drives the car, says the FOB also does not work unless you are very close to the car. Any clues as to what is going on? Is the battery going dead? This is the first time this has happened in 12 years of ownership, Please advise.

Thanks

Maj. Dundee

Are ALL the lights in the rear not working?

If so, check fuses 79 & 80 in the Batt. Pre-fuse Box.

BigKutta

No, just the ones I've listed above. Tail lights and the LED strip brake light are working in the rear. I'm reading it could be the rear SAM? Also, you have to be next to the car to unlock it with the FOB.
Please advise

Maj. Dundee

Let's handle one problem at a time, the lights.

You must check for rain water collected in the spare tire area, by removing everything including the gray mat and if there is you must disassemble the rear SAM and look for corrosion.

BigKutta

Thank you Major. Even the tailgate latch was not working this morning so I didnt get to check it. But I did check for dampness in the trunk (not in the spare area) when I was removing items from there this morning. Trunk was dry, and the spare area was dry a couple of weeks ago when I checked the spare air pressure. Coincidentally, I had an appointment with my local MB indie for an oil change anyway, so decided to have them look at this issue this morning, Lets see what they come back with.

Maj. Dundee

With the latch not working, you definitely have a water leak. M/B is going to sell you a rear SAM.

BigKutta

It certainly sounds like it based on research. Some questions: 1) How does water get in there, especially after all these years, and how do I prevent that from happening again? 2) What would be a reasonable cost of a new SAM with labor, from an independent MB shop? Would a refrub or used unit save me much and be worth it?

Thank you for all your help.

Maj. Dundee

All MLs from 2006 to 2010 had faulty tail lamp seals installed at the assembly line. I hope you removed everything to get a good look.

BigKutta

I recently (early summer) had a tail lamp issue which required me to open and remove the tail lamp,and fix it and install it back. I didnt notice moisture then. What would be a reasonable cost of the SAM with labor? Thank you

Maj. Dundee

When you removed the tail lamp, was the foam seal attached to the lamp or around the body opening of the lamp?

BigKutta

Hmmmm, cant remember exactly but i think it remained on the body

Maj. Dundee

Again, remove the spare tire and everything else including the gray mat or remove the tail light again and see.

BigKutta

Hi Major. As I mentioned yesterday, I had to take the ML into service anyway, so asked the dealer to check out. They confirmed that water got in the spare area, but to fully diagnose where the water came from, and what else has been impacted, they will need to tear down the rear of the vehicle to get a full picture. Should find out more today

Maj. Dundee

Tell them the leak is caused by of defective tail lamp seals.

BigKutta

So the mechanic shop took the rear apart to diagnose the problem. Water got in through the rear tails as you mentioned and fried the sam. The job is fairly costly given the labor to take the back apart, so I involved my comprehensive insurance which will cover the damage and repair. The shop will also clean out my moonroof drains, and install new seals in the tail lamp assembly. I hope this takes care of this issue.

Message to all. As a preventive measure, please check your tail lamp seals and replace them. This is a know issue on the MLs (as I found out the hard way), and a few $ can save you $$$$.

Maj. Dundee

I can't understand that the mech. found the leak but you couldn't. The SAM board has corrosion on it and can be cleaned successfully.

https://mbworld.org/forums/m-class-w...ml#post7373967

BigKutta

Hi Major - I never tried to find the source of the leak. As I mentioned, after I discovered that the SAM went out I couldnt even get in the trunk as it was inoperable. I had my annual service scheduled with the mechanic the next morning so I took the car in for them to look at. All damage from water including diagnostic, new SAM, install and programming, were all covered by insurance, so I let the mechanic do the work. Fortunately, this worked for me. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge on this forum.

W Burleson

Did you ever solve this problem ? I have the same issues.

Bill

BigKutta

Hi Bill - Yes I did. See message number 15 above. Basically water got in through the rear tail light and fried the SAM module. Since this was an "act of god" I invoked comprehensive insurance claim and had majority of repairs covered by them. Anyway the SAM was the issue

noelongoria

​​​​​​I have the same problem did u ever get this fixed

Maj. Dundee

Read the post above you.

noelongoria

Going to replace rear Sam this weekend Wondering if the rear Sam module being bad was making your battery drain because I have this problem as well

jemps33

My rear SAM unit was damaged due to water getting into the back. I removed the unit and found corrosion on the circuit board. I was wondering if fuse 79 and 80 could have blown and was hoping to check. Would this be something that could happen? I can't figure out how to access them. Do I need to take the battery out? Are those fuses on the back? Thanks.