Major Electrical Issues With 2003 S600
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Joined: Aug 2014
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S55 AMG
Major Electrical Issues With 2003 S600
Hello everyone, I just got a 2003 S600 two months ago and it has been having some major electrical issues throughout. I joined the forums to see if anyone can help me out on this problem and guide me through on what I should do.
When I first got the car, all the soft-close doors were working fine. Then during that week, the driver's soft-close door stopped working. Then the day after that, another soft-close door stopped working. Then another. And then they all broke within a week. Shortly after all the soft-close doors stopped working, the sunroof stopped working as well. It won't open, slide, or anything. I thought these were just common malfunctions, until my driver's seat stopped working all of a sudden last week. I cannot move the seat at all using the controls and the seat is stuck in a very uncomfortable position. That gave me an idea that there is something seriously wrong with the electrical harness in the car.
I was looking around if anyone else was having these issues and how I can fix it, and I had no luck. Just yesterday, my power lift trunk broke too, it's just stuck shut unless I unlock it manually. That was the point where it went too far, so I am asking the forums for help now. I have a feeling that everything regarding electricity will break on this car. I can barely even drive it now that the driver's seat is stuck in a really bad position.
Can someone please tell me what's going and what should I do about it? Thank you.
When I first got the car, all the soft-close doors were working fine. Then during that week, the driver's soft-close door stopped working. Then the day after that, another soft-close door stopped working. Then another. And then they all broke within a week. Shortly after all the soft-close doors stopped working, the sunroof stopped working as well. It won't open, slide, or anything. I thought these were just common malfunctions, until my driver's seat stopped working all of a sudden last week. I cannot move the seat at all using the controls and the seat is stuck in a very uncomfortable position. That gave me an idea that there is something seriously wrong with the electrical harness in the car.
I was looking around if anyone else was having these issues and how I can fix it, and I had no luck. Just yesterday, my power lift trunk broke too, it's just stuck shut unless I unlock it manually. That was the point where it went too far, so I am asking the forums for help now. I have a feeling that everything regarding electricity will break on this car. I can barely even drive it now that the driver's seat is stuck in a really bad position.
Can someone please tell me what's going and what should I do about it? Thank you.
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Mercedes
There could be a number of issues but first start with a brand new battery and do all the electronic resets found in the sticky thread
If that doesnt work, your car may have suffered water damage which is progressing to damage all the electrical systems , there was a problem with these cars where water would enter through the airbox at the passenger side of the engine compartment , right under the windshield , due to a clogged reed valve
then the water would flow from there into the passenger side floor where the electrical systems would get damaged
if you did suffer water Damage and have comprehensive car insurance , they will cover it
If that doesnt work, your car may have suffered water damage which is progressing to damage all the electrical systems , there was a problem with these cars where water would enter through the airbox at the passenger side of the engine compartment , right under the windshield , due to a clogged reed valve
then the water would flow from there into the passenger side floor where the electrical systems would get damaged
if you did suffer water Damage and have comprehensive car insurance , they will cover it
Last edited by tusabes; Aug 13, 2014 at 03:05 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 31
S55 AMG
There could be a number of issues but first start with a brand new battery and do all the electronic resets found in the sticky thread
If that doesnt work, your car may have suffered water damage which is progressing to damage all the electrical systems , there was a problem with these cars where water would enter through the airbox at the passenger side of the engine compartment , right under the windshield , due to a clogged reed valve
then the water would flow from there into the passenger side floor where the electrical systems would get damaged
if you did suffer water Damage and have comprehensive car insurance , they will cover it
If that doesnt work, your car may have suffered water damage which is progressing to damage all the electrical systems , there was a problem with these cars where water would enter through the airbox at the passenger side of the engine compartment , right under the windshield , due to a clogged reed valve
then the water would flow from there into the passenger side floor where the electrical systems would get damaged
if you did suffer water Damage and have comprehensive car insurance , they will cover it
I also forgot to add that the keyless go stopped working. So did the key itself. So now I have to manually lock and unlock the doors with the old fashion key. And yes, the keys are working fine themselves, it's just that the car won't read it anymore for whatever reason.
I think I should have a professional look at what's happening to my car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 31
S55 AMG
I just decided to take a look at all the service receipts done by the previous owner. He has replaced the battery twice in the same year. Both were brand-new. Maybe he was getting the same problems that I was. And if I replace this battery, the third time this year, everything might start working again. But only for a short amount of time, judging by how often this battery needs replacing. Thanks, I'll definitely have a look at this.
EDIT: Looking at other service receipts by the previous owner, it looks like I have an ECU upgraded engine and a custom exhaust..... no wonder that thing is freakin' loud.
EDIT: Looking at other service receipts by the previous owner, it looks like I have an ECU upgraded engine and a custom exhaust..... no wonder that thing is freakin' loud.
Last edited by AlexMercedes; Aug 13, 2014 at 06:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 370
Likes: 31
S55 AMG
Also, the car does have an aftermarket Navigation/Radio and amplifier system. I really don't like these, I rather stick with all original parts. It also messed up the sound system in some way, I keep hearing this constant loud buzzing noise on the driver's side speaker of the car because of the amplifier, and its beyond annoying. Is there any way I can just disable that crap temporarily? I will soon be getting the original COMAND system back into the car.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,151
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Mercedes
The comand system used fiber optic wiring , if they modified anything it's doubtful a comand will ever work again. You can't just plug it back in unless all the wiring is factory original and uncut
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