SL/R129: Really Messed Up This Time!!!!
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Really Messed Up This Time!!!!
Well got everything fixed that I've been putting off and thanks to all your help I did it all myself Then , I put the battery charger on my sl320 today and didn't put my glasses on (it's hell getting old) and you guessed it... reverse polarity. Now I have the ABS,ETC lights on the speedometer doesn't work and the odometer is on but the numbers don't change and my MPG gauge don't work. and my tranny won't shift into 5th gear. A MB mechanic told me I probably burned out my dash cluster.
Does anyone know where to get it repaired? or if someone else had had the same problem...How much to repair. Thanks Bob
Does anyone know where to get it repaired? or if someone else had had the same problem...How much to repair. Thanks Bob
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From: West Coast, USA
2 SL with every Brabus mods available & Class A competition sound system
sorry to heard that......did you check your fuse for the dash cluster......?? A new dash cluster will cost you $1900.......good luck....
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From: Kirkland, WA
97 SL320 Sport, Black. 2003 Denali XL, 2002 Gmc PU, 84 Mustang race car.
Have you tried disconnecting the battery and leave the car dead for a while? Maybe charge the battery while it's unhooked?
Dan
Dan
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From: Massachusetts
2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
I'm afraid you may have problems with more than just the instrument cluster. The transmission shifting is controlled by a separate ECU that has nothing to do with the instrument cluster. The lack of ABS, traction control, and airbag lights may be due to a failure of the separate ECU's for those functions (the instrument cluster houses just the indicator light). Reverse polarity can cause lots of problems, some of which may appear days or months down the road. Fortunatley, because of the potential for reverse polarity and voltage spikes, most automotive electronic modules are protected against damage with a zenor or schottky diode on the power intputs. The protection diode causes the fuse to blow under improper voltage conidtions, although sometimes the diode and/or ECU blows to protect the fuse (Murphy's law No. 23)! You should disconnect the battery (to permit ECU resest) and then check EVERY fuse in your car. Replace any blown fuses, charge the battery while it is dosconnected, carefully reconnect it, and then try again.
I hope this helps,
- FD
I hope this helps,
- FD
Last edited by Floobydust; Sep 4, 2006 at 10:02 AM.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Indiana, US
98 SL500, 97 E420
I checked my charger and it's a normal one from Walmart. It doesn't charge unless there is some voltage on the battery. If the battery is totally empty tha n the charger won't work. I can put the poles together and nothing happens. This also prevents reverse polarity since it doesn't start without the right minimum voltage.
Michael
Michael
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Well, I've tried it all, Disconnected battery,let sit looked for a overlaod protection module (Which MB says according to my serial number it don't have one) checked every fuse etc. I guess I will have to bite the bullet and let MB plug it in to the machine and see whats blown, Car runs great except that since it doesn't shirt into 5th gear, Gas mileage sucks. Thanks for all the great sugjestions I tried them all!!
Bob
Bob
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THANK GOD FOR FRIENDS!!!!!!!! 
A friend of mine owns a Porsche Audi dealership, Told me to bring it in (they have a Tech who worked for MB) and within a half hour all was fixed. There is a module box on the right side of the cowl under a plastic cover (Three phillips screws) and the Aluminum module box cover is held on by four hex head screws. The top module in the box has two replaceable ATC fuses on it which controls the ABS,ETC sensors,speedometer,odometer,MPG gauge,and the shift module for the transmission.Works PERFECTLY.
Total cost..........4 doz donuts for the shop and 2 Cuban cigars.
If you ever have this problem CHECK THIS FIRST Didn't have to reset with a computer or anything!!! replaced it,put the covers on and I drove away. Again thank you all for your reponses
A friend of mine owns a Porsche Audi dealership, Told me to bring it in (they have a Tech who worked for MB) and within a half hour all was fixed. There is a module box on the right side of the cowl under a plastic cover (Three phillips screws) and the Aluminum module box cover is held on by four hex head screws. The top module in the box has two replaceable ATC fuses on it which controls the ABS,ETC sensors,speedometer,odometer,MPG gauge,and the shift module for the transmission.Works PERFECTLY. Total cost..........4 doz donuts for the shop and 2 Cuban cigars.
If you ever have this problem CHECK THIS FIRST Didn't have to reset with a computer or anything!!! replaced it,put the covers on and I drove away. Again thank you all for your reponses
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From: Alabama (USA)
1996 SL600 - 100% Stock
THANK GOD FOR FRIENDS!!!!!!!! A friend of mine owns a Porsche Audi dealership, Told me to bring it in (they have a Tech who worked for MB) and within a half hour all was fixed. There is a module box on the right side of the cowl under a plastic cover (Three phillips screws) and the Aluminum module box cover is held on by four hex head screws. The top module in the box has two replaceable ATC fuses on it which controls the ABS,ETC sensors,speedometer,odometer,MPG gauge,and the shift module for the transmission.Works PERFECTLY.
Total cost..........4 doz donuts for the shop and 2 Cuban cigars.
If you ever have this problem CHECK THIS FIRST Didn't have to reset with a computer or anything!!! replaced it,put the covers on and I drove away. Again thank you all for your reponses
A friend of mine owns a Porsche Audi dealership, Told me to bring it in (they have a Tech who worked for MB) and within a half hour all was fixed. There is a module box on the right side of the cowl under a plastic cover (Three phillips screws) and the Aluminum module box cover is held on by four hex head screws. The top module in the box has two replaceable ATC fuses on it which controls the ABS,ETC sensors,speedometer,odometer,MPG gauge,and the shift module for the transmission.Works PERFECTLY. Total cost..........4 doz donuts for the shop and 2 Cuban cigars.
If you ever have this problem CHECK THIS FIRST Didn't have to reset with a computer or anything!!! replaced it,put the covers on and I drove away. Again thank you all for your reponses
Hey man! Sorry your out the enormous cost of the donuts and cigars. If you can get some genuine Cubans for me, I can really help offset your losses. I can't get them anywhere, and I'd be willing to pay premium for those cigars. Let me know.
Tip DS
