Driver window
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Wa
2007 S550 4Matic W221 (long drives/daily), 2007 e63 amg (toy), 2004 e500 (daily)
Yeah I'm going to be sending in a complaint did a lot of business with mb of Portland for them not to accommodate me in this situation is ridiculous! But on another note mb of willsonville said bring it right in on my way now! 1hr farther but not a problem! Gonna have them go ahead and update command also! Will post results!
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, Wa
2007 S550 4Matic W221 (long drives/daily), 2007 e63 amg (toy), 2004 e500 (daily)
So 1 hr later mb of willsonville did the update for door control module driver window now works great! Thanks for the help guys!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Audi S4 -99
Ok, i can confirm flashing with Star diagnosis did fix power window problem also on our S350 -05. And just to clarify, it does not need SCN coding since new control unit is not installed, just updating the software on the old one.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Audi S4 -99
You don't need to go online if your SD software has offline programming activated.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: Zurich
S500 4M L
can you describe HOW TO remove window motor ? Yesterday I tried to remove motor from left rear door and it seems to be screwed to white plastic (window line storage) ? I tried to pull a little, but there was a resistance. I unscrewed white plastic, but I feel - it also was like mounted additionally from inside of door ?
If someone has photo story - how to change/remove motor from W221 window door - please post them.
Thank you,
Mariusz
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2007 Mercedes S550
Hey Guys - Thanks alot for this info. Read it over last night when my driver window failed on my 2007 S550 RWD. Funny thing is that it happened when I got home after racing a 300C srt8 on the highway. Ive never taken my car up to 6500 rpm near the redline before and I was using manual shifting. Something I also never did. The benz ruined the SRT 8 but I wonder if the surge in prolonged rpm had anything to do with ruining my window or if just a coincidence.
Tried the fuse pull last night to see if I that would reset the module but didnt work so left the window open all night parked it close against a wall and crawled out the passenger.
Either way when I took the car to benz and told them to do the update, the service guy yells to the other guy " Ive never heard of an update fixing a dead window" and chuckled. I got them to remove the 2 hours diagnostic and just charge me 0.5hrs for the update. I had to say I will pay for the update even if it does not work.
4hrs later I got a call that the update actually worked! those were the exact words of the service rep. Thanks everyone and especially Konigstiger. Really saved me some money and taught those guys at the dealership something. I did print the bulletin and they took a copy.
Tried the fuse pull last night to see if I that would reset the module but didnt work so left the window open all night parked it close against a wall and crawled out the passenger.
Either way when I took the car to benz and told them to do the update, the service guy yells to the other guy " Ive never heard of an update fixing a dead window" and chuckled. I got them to remove the 2 hours diagnostic and just charge me 0.5hrs for the update. I had to say I will pay for the update even if it does not work.
4hrs later I got a call that the update actually worked! those were the exact words of the service rep. Thanks everyone and especially Konigstiger. Really saved me some money and taught those guys at the dealership something. I did print the bulletin and they took a copy.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: Zurich
S500 4M L
My repair was done in the same way. Service guy said "no way after firmware upgrade you will pay for new door ECU". Was very disappointed when after 30mins of SD connected and flashed driver door ecu window run smooth down then up 
Thank you for sharing Service Bulletin - they (official dealer) had access to this document, but prefer to charge for ECU replacement (500EUR) than 0.5hr of labor (50EUR).
Thank you for sharing Service Bulletin - they (official dealer) had access to this document, but prefer to charge for ECU replacement (500EUR) than 0.5hr of labor (50EUR).
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic
this thread made me laugh... i am not a dealer tech anymore but I am still a mercedes tech. Yes, on a 221 the fix is a software update. there is no fuse that controls just the window. Its a main fuse for the DCM so if seats and everything in the door doesnt work, then fuse. But if its a window and only a window, needs to go to the dealer for an update. I just got done repairing one with said fix.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 319
Likes: 16
From: Vancouver, BC
2015 S550V
I just had my control module software flashed, drivers window works again.
Took my indi tech over an hour as he was trying to attempt to do the software update online, it wouldn't let him, he tried it offline and it worked.
Took my indi tech over an hour as he was trying to attempt to do the software update online, it wouldn't let him, he tried it offline and it worked.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
w221 s class
w221 driver window issues
no click when pressing button
firstly check from driver switch panel that all other windows and mirrors operate ok
if yes then unlikely to be a fuse or switch.
for peace of mind check fuses which are located on both side panels by each front doors
door card removal....check you tube
before you do this see if your remote key will open and close the windows
outside of car lock doors with remote
then unlock and hold unlock button if all windows go down except driver door then the switch is probably ok it is likely to be the driver door control module...a relay in the module has probably failed known as a dcm door control module - approx £200 inc. vat from MB
2 years warranty...
prices vary on ebay.
the dcm is a known fault and the replacement in an upgraded part and mine did not require programming...my s class is a 2006 w221
the window motor have been know to fail but unlikely......remove/swap front passenger one and test
firstly check from driver switch panel that all other windows and mirrors operate ok
if yes then unlikely to be a fuse or switch.
for peace of mind check fuses which are located on both side panels by each front doors
door card removal....check you tube
before you do this see if your remote key will open and close the windows
outside of car lock doors with remote
then unlock and hold unlock button if all windows go down except driver door then the switch is probably ok it is likely to be the driver door control module...a relay in the module has probably failed known as a dcm door control module - approx £200 inc. vat from MB
2 years warranty...
prices vary on ebay.
the dcm is a known fault and the replacement in an upgraded part and mine did not require programming...my s class is a 2006 w221
the window motor have been know to fail but unlikely......remove/swap front passenger one and test
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
W221
Thanks for PDF, konigstiger. That helped me persuade the tech that would listen to have a go, and it's fixed. Two other companies that said "No, it'll be your motor", and "No, it'll be the door ECU gone" didn't get my business.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 502
Likes: 145
From: Tampa Bay, FL
2014 E350 Wagon, 2009 SL550 no ABC
A very good thread, thanks, but one thing is still not clear. Facts:
1) Door software (which was probably originally designed by the same guy who came up with the famous Mercedes biodegradable wiring harness in the 90s) disables power window when temperature over 85C is sensed. When I scan the codes with an aftermarket scanner I get an error "Thermal Fuse Activated"
2) Mercedes recognized the "feature" and they apply a fix by installing a new software/firmware (which is not known to disable the power windows in high temperature).
Question: Can the Thermal Fuse be *deactivated* using the STAR system instead of upgrading the software? It sounds easier and safer for non-dealer repairs. Thanks
1) Door software (which was probably originally designed by the same guy who came up with the famous Mercedes biodegradable wiring harness in the 90s) disables power window when temperature over 85C is sensed. When I scan the codes with an aftermarket scanner I get an error "Thermal Fuse Activated"
2) Mercedes recognized the "feature" and they apply a fix by installing a new software/firmware (which is not known to disable the power windows in high temperature).
Question: Can the Thermal Fuse be *deactivated* using the STAR system instead of upgrading the software? It sounds easier and safer for non-dealer repairs. Thanks
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 502
Likes: 145
From: Tampa Bay, FL
2014 E350 Wagon, 2009 SL550 no ABC
I would ask them not to fix the window, but to perform software update. When I talked to the dealer they told me they will first have to charge me $300 to troubleshoot the window before doing any repairs or software update, which I refused. So make it clear that we don't want troubleshooting and we don't want the window repair. We just want to have the latest software in our door and that's the only thing we want to pay for :-). (Book says 20 min work). If that does not work, we can start replacing door control modules etc
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 502
Likes: 145
From: Tampa Bay, FL
2014 E350 Wagon, 2009 SL550 no ABC
It can be done by anyone with a proper equipment, but a local dealer refused to do it for me and a local Mercedes independent specialist refused to do it, so I got a proper equipment and did it myself. But if you find a cooperating dealer/independent, they should charge for 20 min (1/3 of the hourly rate they use), as per Mercedes estimate of the time to do it. Good luck!
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
s221 320CDI
W221 320CDI
It can be done by anyone with a proper equipment, but a local dealer refused to do it for me and a local Mercedes independent specialist refused to do it, so I got a proper equipment and did it myself. But if you find a cooperating dealer/independent, they should charge for 20 min (1/3 of the hourly rate they use), as per Mercedes estimate of the time to do it. Good luck!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 1,673
S500
you can't flash modules easily
very old versions of dealer tools circa 2012 had the software files
but that was killed off many years ago... when xentry connect came in, that was system killed off at the start 2019 and now up to date dealer kit will have the files on a local server - but they can not access them without an online handshake for approval to unlock the files and record the work was done
if you want to do at home in USA you could buy $3000 of autel or snap on kit and then pay for a days subscription to access the files from Mercedes for circa $50
or you drive to you main dealer and pay 1 hour to update all 4 doors
very old versions of dealer tools circa 2012 had the software files
but that was killed off many years ago... when xentry connect came in, that was system killed off at the start 2019 and now up to date dealer kit will have the files on a local server - but they can not access them without an online handshake for approval to unlock the files and record the work was done
if you want to do at home in USA you could buy $3000 of autel or snap on kit and then pay for a days subscription to access the files from Mercedes for circa $50
or you drive to you main dealer and pay 1 hour to update all 4 doors
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 502
Likes: 145
From: Tampa Bay, FL
2014 E350 Wagon, 2009 SL550 no ABC
I'm in Tampa Florida area, which judging by your Dionis pound referral is not even on the same continent as you :-)
The easiest, fastest and cheapest way is definitely to take it to a dealer and convince them to have the doors reprogrammed without spending several hundred dollars to have them first investigate, disassemble the doors and potentially damage something along the way or sell you brand new door controllers which you don't need.
Setting up the old STAR tool for this job by yourself is a pain (it took me months, but that also included dealing with faults in the tool hardware), as you need to find a working hardware (a used original or a working clone) and a right software (like from November 2012), and also to make sure that the s/w allows for OFF LINE PROGRAMMING and that you have the right Mercedes firmware images to install in the doors (but once it is set up, you can do anything to the car a dealer can do)
If you enjoy tinkering with computers and getting frustrated go ahead, but any sane person should either buy an already set up and working system from someone who can guarantee that it meets all the requirements and actually works, or just go to a dealer. Good luck with whatever option you choose.
As BOTUS says - the newer systems require access to a Mercedes account (which some people may re-sell for a short period of time) to work
The easiest, fastest and cheapest way is definitely to take it to a dealer and convince them to have the doors reprogrammed without spending several hundred dollars to have them first investigate, disassemble the doors and potentially damage something along the way or sell you brand new door controllers which you don't need.
Setting up the old STAR tool for this job by yourself is a pain (it took me months, but that also included dealing with faults in the tool hardware), as you need to find a working hardware (a used original or a working clone) and a right software (like from November 2012), and also to make sure that the s/w allows for OFF LINE PROGRAMMING and that you have the right Mercedes firmware images to install in the doors (but once it is set up, you can do anything to the car a dealer can do)
If you enjoy tinkering with computers and getting frustrated go ahead, but any sane person should either buy an already set up and working system from someone who can guarantee that it meets all the requirements and actually works, or just go to a dealer. Good luck with whatever option you choose.
As BOTUS says - the newer systems require access to a Mercedes account (which some people may re-sell for a short period of time) to work
Last edited by George993; Jul 31, 2020 at 08:58 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
S550 2009
Window fuses
I have a 2009 S550 (W221) and today, for the first time, my rear passenger window did not work or click from the driver's panel or the rear passenger panel. I reviewed this series of posts and decided to try to reset "the DCM" by pulling fuse 112. It turned out that my vehicle does not have a fuse in 112. I then reviewed the fuse document that was among my user manual-type info that came with the car. It listed four fuses for the windows: 70, 80, 81, 82; all are 40A. I pulled all four, waited five minutes, and placed them back in. Then all windows operated properly.
Weird but successful.
Weird but successful.
