The Car wash is doing this
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 124
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The Car wash is doing this
Every time I go thru the car wash my car starts to act strange and loose power. I have noticed it get worse and before I take it to the dealer wonder if anyone can offer a diagnosis. Yesterday went in and got a car wash and even an underbody car wash. As soon as I drove off the car starts loosing power and almost bucks back into gear. It was really bad yesterday for the rest of the day and most of the morning today. Been driving it tonight and it seems to have corrected itself again but it's very bad. Could it be an electrical issue that the water is getting into something? Any suggestions would be good. I just had the valve body replaced less than 6 months ago so I hope there isn't more transmission issues.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 804
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From: Staten Island, NY
2010 MB S550, 2017 MB SLC 300
Every time I go thru the car wash my car starts to act strange and loose power. I have noticed it get worse and before I take it to the dealer wonder if anyone can offer a diagnosis. Yesterday went in and got a car wash and even an underbody car wash. As soon as I drove off the car starts loosing power and almost bucks back into gear. It was really bad yesterday for the rest of the day and most of the morning today. Been driving it tonight and it seems to have corrected itself again but it's very bad. Could it be an electrical issue that the water is getting into something? Any suggestions would be good. I just had the valve body replaced less than 6 months ago so I hope there isn't more transmission issues.
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,012
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From: Newyork
s550 Diamond white amg pano
The under car def isnt helping, something def getting wet. also check the drains under the hood, mine were clogged right after picking car up cpo's from benz and it shorted out the computers.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
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13 GL350, 14 SL550
There is a fuse box under the hood (near the firewall from memory)
Make absolutely sure it's properly attached and latched. You have to move it around till it 'snaps' onto the right spot and is aligned. Then I think there is a thumb latch that you slide so it locks tightly.
I have had one unlatched and very slightly out of place in an R230 SL500. Went through a car wash and the gap between hood and fender let in enough water to light the dash up like a christmas light!
Came home, pulled the cover and hosed everything down with electrical contact cleaner. Left it for 24 hours and have never had a problem since. Lucky I was close to home and didn't have to drive far.. because I certainly would have run into probems with that much water in a fuse box.
In any case, start with the fuse box. Then have someone look at wiring harnesses. If they can pull the codes with STAR/DAS that would be very very helpful because they can identify which sensor/sensor are showing errors. Then they know which harness or area of the car to look at.
Make absolutely sure it's properly attached and latched. You have to move it around till it 'snaps' onto the right spot and is aligned. Then I think there is a thumb latch that you slide so it locks tightly.
I have had one unlatched and very slightly out of place in an R230 SL500. Went through a car wash and the gap between hood and fender let in enough water to light the dash up like a christmas light!
Came home, pulled the cover and hosed everything down with electrical contact cleaner. Left it for 24 hours and have never had a problem since. Lucky I was close to home and didn't have to drive far.. because I certainly would have run into probems with that much water in a fuse box.
In any case, start with the fuse box. Then have someone look at wiring harnesses. If they can pull the codes with STAR/DAS that would be very very helpful because they can identify which sensor/sensor are showing errors. Then they know which harness or area of the car to look at.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 427
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13 GL350, 14 SL550
Head gasket? The usual symptom of one failing is coolant mixing into the oil (or vice versa). You were having weird electrical gremlins in car washes that were solved by a head gasket replacement?
Not diasgreeing,.. just wondering as I've never associated this symptom with that solution before.. this is the first time I've heard of that happening so just curious
Not diasgreeing,.. just wondering as I've never associated this symptom with that solution before.. this is the first time I've heard of that happening so just curious
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Wash. D.C.
'20 S63
Head gasket? The usual symptom of one failing is coolant mixing into the oil (or vice versa). You were having weird electrical gremlins in car washes that were solved by a head gasket replacement?
Not diasgreeing,.. just wondering as I've never associated this symptom with that solution before.. this is the first time I've heard of that happening so just curious
Not diasgreeing,.. just wondering as I've never associated this symptom with that solution before.. this is the first time I've heard of that happening so just curious
Never had the problem afterwards.
