Hello guys and gurls, okay let's get started. I recently purchased a new to me 2000 S430. Right away I notice the fuel gauge was stuck on full until I actually fill the tank then it would drop to empty, then shoot back to full after a few miles. I thought it was the sender unit, but it looks new. I have a defective display warning with a lightning bolt and the dash switches for suspension and ride height would not work, but ESP, rear head rests, hazards and door locks still worked. I also noticed the left headlight and right turn signal would not work with the hood closed. I pulled the hood latch switch so I would have my lights and turn signal while driving. The hood open warning gets annoying when driving. I checked all fuses and they all look good. I started to pull carpet and check the miles of wires running through the drive side foot well. I noticed a bunch of green and green/white wires bundles together with a plastic cap. I then noticed one green/white wire was disconnected so I spliced it in with the rest. I also noticed a blue/white wire disconnected. The wire was running from a black plug with five other wires. I tried to follow the wires but they ran under the driver side seat into plastic duct work. I will need to remove the driver seat to gain access. So i reconnected the battery and started the car up. Low and behold the dash switches worked and my car rose higher than ever. Unfortunately my dash threw 6 errors. This time I had the ESP, abs, brake pad wear, defective display with a picture of an engine, airmatic malfunction see work shop and another I can't recall right now. I reset the basic errors, but still have the brake wear, fuel gauge, airmatic and defective display errors. Could all these problems be related to one SAM? Does anyone know what the blue/white wire coming from a black coupler is connected to? I know I asked the hood latch question before, but I just wanted to go into more detail. Sorry so long and thanks in advance.

 

You can check this site for references. http://www.automd.com/tsb/bulletin_b249480/

I had a similar issue with the instrument cluster on my 2004. Had it replaced at no cost as there was a recall on it. Not sure if it applies to your situation but you can hunt around the site I just provided. There are numbers of TSB's which sound similar to the issues you're having.

James

 

Tones of malfunction messages coming simultaneously usually is a sure indicator of insufficient power to the electronic system.

Most frequent cause is a weakening battery, recharge may or may not help. Also can be a SAM or fuse.

If you suspect the battery is old or it of unknown age, a new good one is a necessary investment.

 

I agree with Trombone. A weak battery can cause all kind of problems and/or threats of problems with these cars.