W221 problems
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Paris, PA
s550 and 500sl
W221 problems
I'm new here and I need advice. I owned a 1991 500sl for a long time and I have done all the service and repairs myself. I bought a 2007 s550 9 months ago and now I'm having problems with it. The radio only picks up local stations and the driver window just stopped working. bought a new switch and motor and it doesn't work. hot wiring the motor and the window goes up and down. That leaves me with a possibly bad module. Read a post that flashing the module might fix the problem, but a bad module would need replaced. I think that a new module would have to be programed according to blogs. Can I buy a Mercedes scanner and program a new module myself???? My scanner won't read many Mercedes things. I have serviced and repaired all my vehicles all my life but now I'm running into Mercedes being very difficult to fix because you need a very expensive scanner and I can't find out if I bought a good Mercedes only scanner that it would serve my needs. I can buy a scanner for the cost of one trip to the dealer. Looks like this car is going to be a problem car. Has 117,000 miles on it. I need to know 2 things. Does the window module need programed and can a mid range Mercedes scanner do the programming. If I can't service and repair this car, I'm going to trade it on a different make of car with a warranty. I enjoy working on my vehicles but don't want an expensive money pit that spends most of it's time at the dealer. I got the print out of the previous owners repair record. He spent a lot of time and money at the dealer. any help would be appreciated. Get a scanner or get a different car?????
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 732
Likes: 223
From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
To the OP: You need Star/Xentry for these cars to diagnose and fix them correctly. However even with the Star/Xentry diagnostic tool, you still need to use your head to figure out what's really wrong.
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 540
Likes: 39
From: Suburban Washington DC
1995 S280 5-speed
There is a reason a 10 year old S-class can be bought for nearly the price of a 10 year old Accord. If you don't want to spend the money on repairs or don't want to buy the equipment to repair it, get a different car. Window module is nothing, what will you do if the navi quits or a/c blows warm?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Paris, PA
s550 and 500sl
I have been fixing a 1991 500sl since I bought it. bought it cheap 12 years ago with a lot of electrical problems. all problems turned out to be corroded fuse contacts.200,000 miles and works like new. regular service only. Found a C4 with the added software for $700 on e-bay. Have WIS software that won't work on my new computer. I don't believe in paying some one to do what I can do. Mercedes software programs are very complicated. Will go to the dealer to program my new module. thanks for the advice
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 259
Likes: 101
From: South Padre Is, Texas
2007 S600, 911 & XJ8
+1 on EasyPhil, post #4. About Star, take a look at:
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...e-learned.html
Lots of irrelevant stuff in there but describes how to get the proper STAR program.
Good luck...
https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...e-learned.html
Lots of irrelevant stuff in there but describes how to get the proper STAR program.
Good luck...
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Paris, PA
s550 and 500sl
Researched the Chinese knockoff. $700 with Xentry. Looks like genuine Mercedes C3 but $2300 cheaper. After a lot of searching I found a person that said the Knockoff would only work for a couple years and would expire, making it useless. Will get it fixed and trade it off on a NEW car with a warranty. Still have the trouble free 1991.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: New Paris, PA
s550 and 500sl
Update on my door module. ordered a new one from Pelican Parts. Was told my module was replaced with a new model. Got a rebuilt one for $100 less than a new one. Installed it and to my surprise, the windows work. No trip to the dealer for programing. The parts came from Mercedes performance parts. Sent the old module back and got a $45 core refund.
