S500 Malfunctions
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: New York City
2001 S500 and 2000 BMW 740I
S500 Malfunctions
Hey Fellow MB owners,
Over the weekend I notice a couple of weird things happening to my S500.
(1) Headlight Low beam bulb please check
(2) Wiper fluids please check
(3) Check anti Freeze
All the fluids have been check and are at capacity so it can't be that they are low on fluids
The weird thing is once the car turns of and then back on the malfunctions goes away. Have anyone experience this before and what 's the cause and how do I fix it. Also does warranty covers any of the above.
Over the weekend I notice a couple of weird things happening to my S500.
(1) Headlight Low beam bulb please check
(2) Wiper fluids please check
(3) Check anti Freeze
All the fluids have been check and are at capacity so it can't be that they are low on fluids
The weird thing is once the car turns of and then back on the malfunctions goes away. Have anyone experience this before and what 's the cause and how do I fix it. Also does warranty covers any of the above.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
I don't know the exact source of the problem - but you don't give us the year of your car or the date it first went into service - so it's difficult to answer your warranty coverage question. Also, warranties may differ by country, so that would be useful as well (even if we can guess from your screen name).
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: New York City
2001 S500 and 2000 BMW 740I
Sorry bout that, I have a 2001 S500 with no extras. I'm in the eastern region of the USA. Is there any other info you would need to correctly gauge my problems?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
W220s (especially early ones) are notorious for electrical gremlins. They can be very difficult to diagnose, especially without the dealer's test equipment.
It's only a guess, but I would suspect the front SAM. The two Signal Acquisition Modules are the brains of the electrical system. They listen for signals from switches and respond by controlling lights and other electrical consumers. If it weren't for the SAMs, these cars would require more heavy copper cables than would physically fit. The SAMs allow thin wires to carry switch and sensor signals to two central locations (front and rear), which in turn control a few heavy current paths to lights and motors.
The SAMs are glorified computer-controlled fuse boxes, and when they fail anything can happen. Many W220 gremlins live in the SAMs. The headlights and fluid level alerts are controlled by the front SAM, which is why I'm suspicious. But the bottom line is that you need a specialist, probably the dealer.
It's only a guess, but I would suspect the front SAM. The two Signal Acquisition Modules are the brains of the electrical system. They listen for signals from switches and respond by controlling lights and other electrical consumers. If it weren't for the SAMs, these cars would require more heavy copper cables than would physically fit. The SAMs allow thin wires to carry switch and sensor signals to two central locations (front and rear), which in turn control a few heavy current paths to lights and motors.
The SAMs are glorified computer-controlled fuse boxes, and when they fail anything can happen. Many W220 gremlins live in the SAMs. The headlights and fluid level alerts are controlled by the front SAM, which is why I'm suspicious. But the bottom line is that you need a specialist, probably the dealer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 26
From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
That's why we needed to know the model year and your location.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic030538.htm
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: New York City
2001 S500 and 2000 BMW 740I
Starmark warranty until 2008 for $1500. Was that a good deal. The dealer I bought the car from said that the car had additional warranty but the company was in bankruptcy and if they emerge from that then I will be reimburse for the remaining years prorated.
Last edited by estrain_ny; Oct 17, 2007 at 02:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: New York City
2001 S500 and 2000 BMW 740I
If the dealer will honor the warranty, take it to them. Diagnosing electrical problems in these cars takes specialized knowledge and test equipment. There are certainly independents that have it, but the odds are better with the dealer. Here's an example of the kind of procedure involved.
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic030538.htm
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic030538.htm
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
