Major Electrical issues, help!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, SC
2013 S550, 2002 S500, 1998 SL500
Major Electrical issues, help!
Alright, i let my uncle borrow my 02 S430. Battery died, he changed the battery, and now the car is totally out of whack. NOTHING works. It turns off on it's own IF it decides to crank. The tail lights blink randomly along with the brake lights. NONE of the buttons work, but almost everything goes to normal when i press the brake. Once the brake is release, NOTHING works again, i mean nothing at all, windows, suspension, seats, radio, curtain, NADA!!
Anyone have any ideas what the hell is going on?
Anyone have any ideas what the hell is going on?
Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 220
Likes: 2
From: New England
2006 S430 4Matic
1. Lock your Uncle in the trunk. That will help you emotionally.
2. This on the surface sounds like a typical water in the electrical gear problem. Take out the carpet and padding to see if the floor is wet or has standing water. (down to the metal) If it does you found your problem.
3. I forgot to say welcome to the forum. Water in the electronics makes these cars do all sorts of strange things. Usually it takes a lot of effort and money to get things back to normal. Search for "water" and read, read, read.
2. This on the surface sounds like a typical water in the electrical gear problem. Take out the carpet and padding to see if the floor is wet or has standing water. (down to the metal) If it does you found your problem.
3. I forgot to say welcome to the forum. Water in the electronics makes these cars do all sorts of strange things. Usually it takes a lot of effort and money to get things back to normal. Search for "water" and read, read, read.
Last edited by lganski; Feb 6, 2015 at 12:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, SC
2013 S550, 2002 S500, 1998 SL500
Preciate it man!! So it wasn't my uncle's fault possibly. I forgot the sunroof open about 5 months back and it rained like crazy that night. Car was soaking wet inside. Didn't have any problem with it though, until a couple days ago. So car is finished pretty much huh?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 37
From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
Not necessary finished. Just like Iganski said take up the carpet all the way down to the metal. You probably have water pooling under that carpet. You can try using a hair dryer to dry things out. Worse case you probably burned out a SAM unit - or two.
Also, if you have comprehensive your insurance company might cover the damages. I would certainly check for the water and not try to clean anything up until they sent an adjuster over.
Also, if you have comprehensive your insurance company might cover the damages. I would certainly check for the water and not try to clean anything up until they sent an adjuster over.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 65
Likes: 4
From: Columbia, SC
2013 S550, 2002 S500, 1998 SL500
Nah he didn't try to jump start it. I'm sure it's the water now from what everyone is saying. But why would it act up 5 months later and not when it happened? weird.
