I used to own a hand me down from my brother 1989 Benz 190E when I was young and felt invincible. Now I am old and retired, I end up getting a 2008 GL450. The vehicle was owned by one of my rich and loaded acquaintance who bought a F150 lightening 2 years ago and forgot about this one parked in his driveway. Well, upscale benzy unchecked real estate, why would a whole family of squirrels deny it. They established their new neighborhood inside the cabin and having a lifetime spoiling it (no damage found to wiring). Then last month, I bought it, jump started it and brough it home. On the way home everything worked fine except it kind of went into a limp mode for a second while started moving at an intersection from redlight stop. Then it did it contact it Christmas lights blinking in dash. I did not know about squirrels until I started opening dash to see if there was problem with meter or infotainment system. I placed the battery on charge while I opened the dash, center console, took out couple of small squirrel vacation spots, deep cleaned everything but smell of death didn't go away. The battery tested at over 100% but it would die over night. Found that the dash would light up and stay awake 15 to 20 seconds after locking the vehicle. I also found two barely alive 4-5 days old squirrel babies; therefore, I started checking the condition of rear SAM. and found a mummy of mommy behind SAM and two more dead infants in trunk below liners, Again removal of dead bodies and deep cleaning and sanitizing. The smell left considerably but still feel a short draft sometimes (or may be just scarred memory in my head).

Planning to fix my new project myself. I am definitely not a Benz guru or even a tech guru but have rebuilt 1985 CJ-7, 2000 Honda S2000, at least 3 various year BMW R1200RT motorcycles and work on all my cars for most parts. So please treat me like a new student but with some generic knowledge. I will appreciate any help by any guru here.

Cheers y'all

 

Welcome!

 

thanks a million sir 🫡

 

Duplicate

 

vacuum out the vents from the inlet side!

 

Thanks for link but I think mine is X164 because it is 2008 GL450. Vacuuming vent at inlet side? talking about cold air intake or cabin inlet at blower? sorry a bit confused. The cold air intake I had to remove disassemble and vacuum, wash, dry and reconnect when I wash the engine because there were so many nut shells in there.

 

Welcome to the club! Good to have you here 👍

 

Cabin air inlet too. Could be more junk in there. If fuel is too old it turns into shellac. Drain and fill with fresh fuel. New oil and filter for sure.

 

welcome to mbworld...

 

Fuel was very low so I had to fill it up to bring home. The new fuel through lines, I assume, cleared any ethanol jelly build up. When cleaning engine compartment, I took out cabin air inlet box and washed it. You are right, there was a nutshell warehouse that I had to vacuum out. I was putting off oil change to get all codes work out first but I think it’s taking too long to learn things on this new project therefore I am going to change oil today.

 

Damn those squirrels!
But may your stay here be blessed.
Welcome to MBWorld.

 

I guess this message was deleted as duplicate because I left the paragraph from Newbie intro in there. Here is further issues with updates:

After going through battery struggles, I pulled fuse 11 from passenger side panel over night to keep battery strong for next day. ABS/ ESP limp mode hits at worst times than ever and there is a small drip of oil just below transmission (I have not slid to inspect undercarriage yet, probably will do it today. The Comand module does not load CD (The vehicle came with 2015 updated CD), The sound has stopped on all modes of stereo. The transmission shift from 1st to 2nd gear is always hesitant but it gets better if I drive car for a bit (warm up tranny responds better). I borrowed iCarsoft MB II meter from my brother and found following code:

CODES:
There were many stored codes related to Terminal 30 and drop of voltage which I suspected was associated with battery dying few times.
P0721 - Output speed sensor circuit range/ performance (generic and pending)
P2006 - Intake manifold runner control stuck closed Bank 1a (generic and current)
9005 - Control unit N70(overhead control panel control unit) was disconnected from tml.30 (current and stored)
91CF - Component E40/1 (rear end door ambient lamp) or the line to the component has a short circuit to positive or open circuit (current and stored)
9115 - Control module AAC is not sending any data (current and stored)
C335 - Event: Control module N22 (ACC [KLA] control and operating unit) is not sending any data (current and stored)
9006 - Terminal 30b: not present / undervoltage supply (storage battery) (current and stored)

The codes progression are from bottom to top. I tested and replaced auxiliary 12V battery right in the beginning to eliminate terminal 30 issue. I have bought a USED working infotainment system to rule out HDD corruption since the CD is not loading (now it's not even ejecting)> UPDATE: I was able to get CD out and new infotainment system came with 2015 updated CD. It worked right away and loaded maps. then within 5 minutes went to "loading CD" message. Overnight, I left it with CD in it. Next morning, started car and NAV woke with asking for address then within 2-3 minutes back to loading CD message. The transmission limping is a major problem for me, ABS/ ESP light comes when it happens, causes me to pull to side when I can or 4 ways on. Then a minute later lights remain on the dash and car drives fine. I come home park for some time. Next drive lights clear but I've to go through same trouble of limping through at least one redlight. With these multiple symptoms, can it be one or both SAMs?

I cannot afford to pay big bucks to MB dealer except whatever I can afford to buy parts from my retirement check and do the work myself. I am definitely not a Benz guru or even a tech guru but have rebuilt 1985 CJ-7, 2000 Honda S2000, at least 3 various year BMW R1200RT motorcycles and work on all my cars for most parts. So please treat me like a new student but with some generic knowledge. I will appreciate any help by any guru here.

In case VIN helps: 4JGBF71E28A310999

Cheers y'all

 

Try this: Should work
Amazon:

Ozone Generator Machine 100,000mg/h, High Capacity Ozone Odor Eliminator Removal Air Purifier for Home Car Pet & Basement Odor, Suitable for Spaces up to 7,000 Square Feet, Blue

R,
2Merks

 

Thanks, I am in process of pulling all the carpeting just to make sure there is no more dead squirrels. I have been through everywhere else in the car. I will add this machine to sanitize the air as well.