So im trying to help a friend out. He recently went to the carwash with his 2000 s430 and now the car wont start. A local mechanic checked it out and found the relay under the hood wasnt getting the signal so he ran a wire with a switch to see and now it starts but it wont shift out of first. What could be the problem here? I have read that it could be the the control under the backseat is that it? Thanks!

 

i had the same problem last week, fresh out of the car wash and it wouldn't start. Did his check engine light come on, and did he run the codes??
Sorry I don't have an answer just trying to see if we had similar problems, although it sounds like the mechanic may have made it worse

 

I believe it says service b or something but I know it says airmatic check but no engine lights.

 

Have you found the solution and fixed it?

 

search is your best friend

 

did you get a warning light on your instrument cluster with a lightning bolt?


if you did its called the central gateway... cost me $600 at dealer to fix.



ps.. it happend to me after i came out of the car wash also so thats prob your culprit

 

first thing to check would be to pop up the back seat and check for standing water down by the control module and fuse box on the passenger side.. If thats the case, then I would pop the hood and look inside the A/c intake (big black box with a vent ontop close to the firewall).. If you see standing water in that also, then that is your problem.. The drain most likely clogged which allowed the water to build up inside the a/c intake and pour into your car, down into the floor and back into that control module and fuse box. not a fun repair and if you dont take out the carpets to allow them to dry out, then enjoy the mold/musty odor that is sure to come. Also, if this is the case and you are doing this, I would suggest replacing the A/c filters, unclogging the drain that caused the problem (obviously), and replacing both the control module (Rear SAM) and fuse box that its attached to. hope this helps.