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My Drivers Door Window won't work. Has anyone else had this problem. My local engineer think that might be the control module in the door, and its easy to get to. Any thoughts?
Anyone know the part code for the module?
standard problem on the early w221's (and YES we still have them pop up here all day long and the fix is always the same....)
its HIGHLY likely by some shocking coincidence a software bug they fixed a year after you car was made has NEVER been installed on your car and MAGICALLY never played up till now...
the correct solution is to flash each door module with later software... its dealer only and should cost about 1 hrs labour. you can play and test or change all you like but till you do the software unlikely to resolve it
P-B-67.39/22 MAR08 If the power window in any door is not functioning this may be due to a software error in the door control module. The applicable door control module will be flashed.
BOTUS is right on. I'm 99% sure is a software bug. Re-programming the door control module should take care of it. You do not necessarily need to go to the dealership. I own and operate an independent shop specializing on Mercedes vehicles. I can program, code, modify and repair any Mercedes that comes to my shop. So find a shop that has the right tools for the right job.
Agreed. The bug is called a "thermal switch". When the door temperature goes too high, software disables the window motor PERMANENTLY instead of just disabling it until the temperature drops. So never let any mechanic or dealer mess around with opening the door panel, diagnosing it, replacing motors and controllers etc which they often want to do, without FIRST updating the door software to a more recent one. Takes about 5 minutes. 99% probability that it will fix the problem. (Worked for me).
Last edited by George993; Oct 3, 2020 at 10:07 PM.
So has it been the warmest summer since 2006 in UK to trigger the "thermal switch" bug now? I think in Florida all of us have had that bug triggered many years ago :-)
My Drivers Door Window won't work. Has anyone else had this problem. My local engineer think that might be the control module in the door, and its easy to get to. Any thoughts?
Anyone know the part code for the module?
Problem Solved! As others have suggested, it was the control module that needed flashing. Now working perfectly! Now just a whining noise that changes pitch with the engine to get rid of in my pride and joy.
For whining noise start with the serpentine belt bearings checking/replacement, and if your car has ABC suspension also replace the hydraulic dampener mounted on the top of the ABC pump
So has it been the warmest summer since 2006 in UK to trigger the "thermal switch" bug now? I think in Florida all of us have had that bug triggered many years ago :-)
My driver's window quit yesterday when temps were over 100. I'm trying to find a shop that has Xentry tool to re-code my door modules. Might as well get all 4 updated. Glad I found this thread as I was about to purchase a new window switch, and electronic parts are not refundable once installed.
the issue shows that dealers have NO care in the world on looking after vehicles - the updated software came out with 2 years of its warranty remaining and takes 10 mins to install, could have done it draining the oil at its first service 14 years ago !!!
Just successfully had this module update applied to my car by Mercedes-Benz Draper (SLC, UT area). They said they never heard of this but I printed off the DTB and took it to the service advisor. He said they would try it but I'd have to pay for the 1 hr labor charge ($205/hr) even if it didn't fix it. Figured it was worth a shot before having them tear the door apart and replace the motor.
I called a couple of local European auto repair shops but none of them had the Xentry tool and all of them said it was dealer specific. Mine was also the driver's side window which just quit working on me the other day. The updated both front door control modules.
The repair order says: "Perform service bulletin attached to RO as per customer request. Note LF DCM reporting overtemp. Perform P-B-67.39/22B. Program and normalize LF DCM, also program and normalize RF DCM. Erase faults. All window functions are normal at this time."
$241.85 later the window works.
If you have this issue with your car, ask them to flash the door control module with the updated software mentioned here: P-B-67.39/22b SEPT08 216.371/376/377/379 up to VIN A010649 221.171/176/177/179 up to VIN A161249 If power window in any door not functioning, the applicable door control module software will be flashed with MB Xentry tool.
I have attached the .pdf to this post. I printed it out and handed it to the service advisor at the MB dealership and asked them to perform this software update.
I would get the document and present to benz US and ask for a refund - and they ought to offer an apology for NOT bothering when inside its warranty period and the subsequent inconvenience its caused
well done for following up on a continuing post :-) it helps others
Thanks for this tip. I am in UK and 3 windows stopped working for no apparent reason. The driver’s one was OK, but now realise that’s because I had a new control module (needlessly as it turns out) about 3 years ago which would have had the updated software. We had the hottest summer on record here which must have triggered the other 3. M-B diagnosed overheat and recommended new motors etc at £1,000++ labour and tax per door. I didn’t think it was possible for 3 doors mechanics to fail like that, so declined the work. I then found this excellent thread, printed it off and went back to M-B.
They did the flash and it was instantly resolved. Looking at the labour charged it looks as if it took more than 5, less than 10 minutes. Job done.
so a big thanks to all who have contributed to this thread, in particular, George993 and the guy that attached the PDF.
And if you didn't do your research, they would have probably flashed the door control modules anyways and charged you for 3 new window motors. Unfortunately, some people just think that the shop knows best and will just pay the bill. I don't mind paying for quality work or quality parts but I am very capable of doing much of the labor myself. I just don't have the tool to flash the modules, so I had to take it in.
I do most other work myself, oil changes, brake pads and rotors, lights, belts, hoses, etc.
not ONLY should Mercedes offer a refund to owners still needing a fix they KNEW was required during its warranty period - they should compensate us for reading and reply each time
I agree. The thermal protection thing is an engineering failure. Lets lock the windows when it gets too hot, because allowing them to open to vent the heat is stupid. Lets turn the car into a greenhouse on purpose. WTF were they thinking? Then for us to have to pay to "unlock" the module is ridiculous. Also if you don't have an honest shop they can make $1000's off an unsuspecting customer by selling us parts we don't need.
Well. I think you are morally correct, but when I raised it with the local M-B who have looked after the car since it was 1 year old when I bought it, they said that after 16 years and 99,000 miles, no warranty claim was viable. I can sort of see their point! Anyway, the cost to rectify, thanks to this informative thread was £60, done while it was already in for its regular service which cost over £700 anyway. A recommended item, which I declined for that service was to renew the spark plugs. This would have cost an extra £300. Does anyone have any experience as to whether this was a sound choice please?
Plugs are easy to change yourself. I recently did mine and replaced a coil that was throwing a Cylinder 5 misfire. I hadn't driven the car in a few weeks (I have 6 other vehicles and the S-Class isn't my daily driver) so when I started it and noticed it shaking and running rough I scanned the car and got a Cylinder 5 misfire code. I replaced the coil and all the plugs to be on the safe side. Took me less than 30 minutes to do that job in my driveway with basic tools. Mine has 104,000 miles on it.
Here is a video showing how to change plugs on the M273 5.5L V8. I also pop off the air inlet hoses, as they just snap easily into place in the front and gives you more room to work.
Well. I think you are morally correct, but when I raised it with the local M-B who have looked after the car since it was 1 year old when I bought it,
surely that's the point they TOTALLY failed to maintain it to the correct standards - they are sent DATA on what to do to correctly maintain customers cars - they train the techs on how - then they NEVER bother - you want ALL 4 updated (one module in each door) and your earlier points - re module change - which one ? if was was inside the door then its related - any other module has Nothing to do with this specific fault
and this "M-B diagnosed overheat and recommended new motors etc at £1,000++ labour and tax per door." means they shouldn't be allowed to look at the car - let alone work on it
Just successfully had this module update applied to my car by Mercedes-Benz Draper (SLC, UT area). They said they never heard of this but I printed off the DTB and took it to the service advisor. He said they would try it but I'd have to pay for the 1 hr labor charge ($205/hr) even if it didn't fix it. Figured it was worth a shot before having them tear the door apart and replace the motor.
I called a couple of local European auto repair shops but none of them had the Xentry tool and all of them said it was dealer specific. Mine was also the driver's side window which just quit working on me the other day. The updated both front door control modules.
The repair order says: "Perform service bulletin attached to RO as per customer request. Note LF DCM reporting overtemp. Perform P-B-67.39/22B. Program and normalize LF DCM, also program and normalize RF DCM. Erase faults. All window functions are normal at this time."
$241.85 later the window works.
If you have this issue with your car, ask them to flash the door control module with the updated software mentioned here: P-B-67.39/22b SEPT08 216.371/376/377/379 up to VIN A010649 221.171/176/177/179 up to VIN A161249 If power window in any door not functioning, the applicable door control module software will be flashed with MB Xentry tool.
I have attached the .pdf to this post. I printed it out and handed it to the service advisor at the MB dealership and asked them to perform this software update.
Mine just failed. Thanks for the info! I will give it a shot and see what happens. I know There are certified Benz mechanics. Aside from the dealer. I do know of one.
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