SL/R230: NEED PADDLE SHIFTERS AND WON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!!!
09-12-2012, 06:42 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
NEED PADDLE SHIFTERS AND WON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!!!
We are all familiar with the dealers telling us that this can't be done & that can't be done but if it exists in the same car but just a diffrent model (eg. SL500 Vs. SL55) then it has to be physically possible. I guess it all boils down to what a person is willing to spend!
I was told that the dvd based command from a '09 SL couldn't be retrofitted in an ”03 because of the amp and fiber optics blah blah blah, but a fellow member gave me short list of items needed to make it possible and it didn't seam like that much of a big deal.
So the million dollar question is: (drum roll please)-
What is involved in retrofitting paddle shifters in an '03 SL500? Mind you, the '03 AMG models came equipt with this feature. There is a member on here who had started the retrofit and got so far but never finished updating his thread so we were kind of left hanging. From what I understand, when the steering wheel is removed from a '03 SL500 there are some leads that appear to be the pre wiring for this feature that also has current in the wiring but the member never confirmed if it was indeed for the shifting feature. Also there are steering wheels pre fitted with shifters that you can buy online, some of them have 2 leads and some of them have 3 leads. I imagine which one you purchase is determined by the year of your car, but when doing a retrofit, which one should you purchase for an '03 model?
Can't wait for your replies, thanks in advance!
I was told that the dvd based command from a '09 SL couldn't be retrofitted in an ”03 because of the amp and fiber optics blah blah blah, but a fellow member gave me short list of items needed to make it possible and it didn't seam like that much of a big deal.
So the million dollar question is: (drum roll please)-
What is involved in retrofitting paddle shifters in an '03 SL500? Mind you, the '03 AMG models came equipt with this feature. There is a member on here who had started the retrofit and got so far but never finished updating his thread so we were kind of left hanging. From what I understand, when the steering wheel is removed from a '03 SL500 there are some leads that appear to be the pre wiring for this feature that also has current in the wiring but the member never confirmed if it was indeed for the shifting feature. Also there are steering wheels pre fitted with shifters that you can buy online, some of them have 2 leads and some of them have 3 leads. I imagine which one you purchase is determined by the year of your car, but when doing a retrofit, which one should you purchase for an '03 model?
Can't wait for your replies, thanks in advance!
Last edited by SL4Life; 09-12-2012 at 06:46 PM.
09-12-2012, 07:37 PM
#2
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You need a W211/W219/W209 steering wheel(Paddle holes are to big on old R230 wheel), a converter and paddles with number A2302670046! These cam on the 2007 model. Says in EPC they work for 2005-2008 model so if you have a 2003 you need the converter..
Last edited by Chris The Swede; 09-12-2012 at 07:45 PM.
09-12-2012, 09:51 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
I KNEW IT!!! Thanks soo much I'll be sending pm's to clarify a few things like: the exact name and possibly the part # for the converter, also if I buy a wheel that already had the paddle shifters which wheels should I buy (for what car & year) and what the heck does 'EPC' mean? Sorry I'm a newbie and a carpenter by trade so the technical terms sound like french to me! Lol
09-12-2012, 10:04 PM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Talk to Ivan from DCTMS in California and he can help you out. I believe they make a plug and play aftermarket box that can get it to work easily.
09-12-2012, 10:42 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sounds great thanx! I actually have his # already because I had contacted him re: some carbon fiber but never knew about the converter until today thanx to you guys. 
09-15-2012, 08:06 AM
#6
I don't think this has ever been done on a non AMG car without factory installed button shifters.
SL500 had an option 428 - if I am not mistaken - for button shifting up/down on both sides of the wheel.
I did some research myself and end up talking to Chris (I think he is somehow connected to Ivan metioned here). I have an idea of number of parts to be replaced and wiring to be added for this to implement, but have not decided for actual conversion, yet.
Perhaps a group of enthusiasts would crack this one easily.
I am willing to participate my share.
SL500 had an option 428 - if I am not mistaken - for button shifting up/down on both sides of the wheel.
I did some research myself and end up talking to Chris (I think he is somehow connected to Ivan metioned here). I have an idea of number of parts to be replaced and wiring to be added for this to implement, but have not decided for actual conversion, yet.
Perhaps a group of enthusiasts would crack this one easily.
I am willing to participate my share.
09-16-2012, 02:27 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I don't think this has ever been done on a non AMG car without factory installed button shifters.
SL500 had an option 428 - if I am not mistaken - for button shifting up/down on both sides of the wheel.
I did some research myself and end up talking to Chris (I think he is somehow connected to Ivan metioned here). I have an idea of number of parts to be replaced and wiring to be added for this to implement, but have not decided for actual conversion, yet.
Perhaps a group of enthusiasts would crack this one easily.
I am willing to participate my share.
SL500 had an option 428 - if I am not mistaken - for button shifting up/down on both sides of the wheel.
I did some research myself and end up talking to Chris (I think he is somehow connected to Ivan metioned here). I have an idea of number of parts to be replaced and wiring to be added for this to implement, but have not decided for actual conversion, yet.
Perhaps a group of enthusiasts would crack this one easily.
I am willing to participate my share.
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10-01-2012, 10:21 AM
#8
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2005 SL500
Paddle Shifter Retrofit
Hi there. I was working with Steve from http://www.mbenznl.nl/ on this about a year ago and never finished. I bought the wood and leather steering wheel you see in the pictures. It came with shift buttons, so I figured I should activate them on my 2005 SL500. He changed the "Data Card" for the VIN of my car so it appears the car came with option code 428 (shift buttons).
Please see the letter from Steve:
Best,
Matt
Please see the letter from Steve:
Matt,
that datacard of your car has been changed and has optioncode 428 for
paddle shifters listed in there now...you will have to go to your
mercedes dealership now and have them perform an online SCN coding on
the transmission control unit
if the TCU in your car is new enough (which it most probably is), it
should recognise the paddle shifters on your steering wheel and it
should have the instrument cluster cycle through S/C/M when using the
S/C (or S/W) button next to your shiftknob
greetingz,
steve
Unfortunately, my independent mechanic was having issues with this and I'm not sure the steering wheel itself is properly hooked up. I just took it into a new shop that's looking at it now. I'll let you all know if I get this working!that datacard of your car has been changed and has optioncode 428 for
paddle shifters listed in there now...you will have to go to your
mercedes dealership now and have them perform an online SCN coding on
the transmission control unit
if the TCU in your car is new enough (which it most probably is), it
should recognise the paddle shifters on your steering wheel and it
should have the instrument cluster cycle through S/C/M when using the
S/C (or S/W) button next to your shiftknob
greetingz,
steve
Best,
Matt
10-01-2012, 11:52 AM
#9
MBWorld Fanatic!
Matt, I see your wheel (in the photo) appears to have the Steering-wheel-module used in 2005 sport models (that had paddles and option 428).
Couple of questions:
Did steve have you check the part number on your N80 (jacket tube module)? My understanding is that the sport option (with paddles) required a different N80 (so that it could add the paddles to the CAN bus).
I think you would need a A0335456232 (or A0365453732)
additionally, there are 2 extra wires in the harness (of those models equipped with paddles) that may have to be added.
Chris
Couple of questions:
Did steve have you check the part number on your N80 (jacket tube module)? My understanding is that the sport option (with paddles) required a different N80 (so that it could add the paddles to the CAN bus).
I think you would need a A0335456232 (or A0365453732)
additionally, there are 2 extra wires in the harness (of those models equipped with paddles) that may have to be added.
Chris
Hi there. I was working with Steve from http://www.mbenznl.nl/ on this about a year ago and never finished. I bought the wood and leather steering wheel you see in the pictures. It came with shift buttons, so I figured I should activate them on my 2005 SL500. He changed the "Data Card" for the VIN of my car so it appears the car came with option code 428 (shift buttons).
Please see the letter from Steve:
Best,
Matt
Please see the letter from Steve:
Matt,
that datacard of your car has been changed and has optioncode 428 for
paddle shifters listed in there now...you will have to go to your
mercedes dealership now and have them perform an online SCN coding on
the transmission control unit
if the TCU in your car is new enough (which it most probably is), it
should recognise the paddle shifters on your steering wheel and it
should have the instrument cluster cycle through S/C/M when using the
S/C (or S/W) button next to your shiftknob
greetingz,
steve
Unfortunately, my independent mechanic was having issues with this and I'm not sure the steering wheel itself is properly hooked up. I just took it into a new shop that's looking at it now. I'll let you all know if I get this working!that datacard of your car has been changed and has optioncode 428 for
paddle shifters listed in there now...you will have to go to your
mercedes dealership now and have them perform an online SCN coding on
the transmission control unit
if the TCU in your car is new enough (which it most probably is), it
should recognise the paddle shifters on your steering wheel and it
should have the instrument cluster cycle through S/C/M when using the
S/C (or S/W) button next to your shiftknob
greetingz,
steve
Best,
Matt
Last edited by latemodel21; 10-02-2012 at 05:17 PM.
10-01-2012, 12:05 PM
#10
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2005 SL500
Matt, I see your wheel (in the photo) appears to have the SCM used in 2005 sport models (that had paddles and option 428).
Couple of questions:
Did steve have you check the part number on your N80 (jacket tube module)? My understanding is that the sport option (with paddles) required a different N80 (so that it could add the paddles to the CAN bus).
I think you would need a A0335456232 (or A0365453732)
additionally, there are 2 extra wires in the harness (of those models equipped with paddles) that may have to be added.
Chris
Couple of questions:
Did steve have you check the part number on your N80 (jacket tube module)? My understanding is that the sport option (with paddles) required a different N80 (so that it could add the paddles to the CAN bus).
I think you would need a A0335456232 (or A0365453732)
additionally, there are 2 extra wires in the harness (of those models equipped with paddles) that may have to be added.
Chris
Best,
Matt
10-01-2012, 12:28 PM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
I am wondering if Steve brought you up to AMG paddle spec or sl500 Sport paddle spec (which was part of AMG 321 option pack IIRC). They are NOT the same for 2005 and require different peripherals. The reason I ask is that I hadn't thought that the sport had 3 transmission modes (that being the case, using the AMG switch configuration may be what Steve had in mind for your car ... ?)
As I understand it, the differences between the Sl500 sport and the SL55 paddle implementation for 2005 were ...
the 2005 Sl500 "sport" used the Steering-wheel-module (shown in your pic), and the N80 (either number i previously mentioned) which added the signals to the CAN bus.
And by contrast, the SL55 (for 2005) used the older (AMG) configuration of switches that had one N.O. button (normally open) for "down" and one N.C. (normally closed) for "up". These switches did NOT use an SCM and were routed directly to the floor shifter (pin 4) though the standard (same as NON-sport sl500) n80 module.
if you (or your mechanic) have questions ... I would be happy to offer suggestions
Chris
As I understand it, the differences between the Sl500 sport and the SL55 paddle implementation for 2005 were ...
the 2005 Sl500 "sport" used the Steering-wheel-module (shown in your pic), and the N80 (either number i previously mentioned) which added the signals to the CAN bus.
And by contrast, the SL55 (for 2005) used the older (AMG) configuration of switches that had one N.O. button (normally open) for "down" and one N.C. (normally closed) for "up". These switches did NOT use an SCM and were routed directly to the floor shifter (pin 4) though the standard (same as NON-sport sl500) n80 module.
if you (or your mechanic) have questions ... I would be happy to offer suggestions
Chris
He did not have me check originally, but my new mechanic is taking a look at this now. My belief is that the paddles are NOT correctly connected. Hopefully I can get the right part to get the wheel connected and then I need to convince Mercedes to online SCN code the car - independent dealers are not able to do this. Thanks for everyone's interest! I'll keep you posted.
Best,
Matt
Best,
Matt
Last edited by latemodel21; 10-02-2012 at 05:18 PM.
10-01-2012, 12:33 PM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
by the way, if you are running the SL500 "sport" paddle configuration, the jumper wires you need to add appear to be installed as follows:
connector "A" pin 14 to connector "A" pin 8
and
connector "A" pin 13 to connector "A" pin 1
Chris
connector "A" pin 14 to connector "A" pin 8
and
connector "A" pin 13 to connector "A" pin 1
Chris
04-12-2013, 09:46 AM
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2005 SL500
Needs the appropriate airbag
Update...
According to the most recent tech to look at my 2005 SL500, even though I have the updated SCN coding it'll also require a new airbag (to match the CL we believe my new paddle-shift steering wheel came from). Otherwise, the car will not properly interface with the paddles and they simply don't work. Unless someone knows where to get cheap airbags, I'm starting to think I'm going to let this one go.
According to the most recent tech to look at my 2005 SL500, even though I have the updated SCN coding it'll also require a new airbag (to match the CL we believe my new paddle-shift steering wheel came from). Otherwise, the car will not properly interface with the paddles and they simply don't work. Unless someone knows where to get cheap airbags, I'm starting to think I'm going to let this one go.
04-12-2013, 08:05 PM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
the converter that Chris (-the Swede) was referring to is not a plug-n-play solution for your car it is intended for AMG55 (and 65) cars from 2003 thru 2006.
Your car (being a 2005 sl500) had steering wheel shift buttons (doubles) available as an option with the AMG appearance package but may need to have it's SCM (steering control module often referred to as jacket tube module ... and "N80" in wiring diagrams) changed in order to support the sl500 shift buttons (which as it happens were plug-compatible with amg paddles). Additionally, there is a module that resides UNDER the airbag on 2005 sl500s that had shift buttons. you would need that too. Send me a PM if you need more info.
Cheers,
Chris
Your car (being a 2005 sl500) had steering wheel shift buttons (doubles) available as an option with the AMG appearance package but may need to have it's SCM (steering control module often referred to as jacket tube module ... and "N80" in wiring diagrams) changed in order to support the sl500 shift buttons (which as it happens were plug-compatible with amg paddles). Additionally, there is a module that resides UNDER the airbag on 2005 sl500s that had shift buttons. you would need that too. Send me a PM if you need more info.
Cheers,
Chris
Last edited by latemodel21; 04-12-2013 at 08:09 PM.
04-14-2013, 10:00 AM
#20
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04-16-2013, 02:40 PM
#21
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2003 R230 and 2007 W209
I have an original W209 steering wheel with paddle shifters. We removed it from my wife's CLK 550 when we purchased the car new, as she did not want the shifters. We replaced the original PS wheel with a new NON P/S walnut wheel to make her happy. I still have the PS wheel MINUS AIR BAG.. If interested ...make an offer..
Ron Martin - ron.w.martin@eartlink.net
Ron Martin - ron.w.martin@eartlink.net
04-17-2013, 07:58 PM
#22
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Thread Starter
I have an original W209 steering wheel with paddle shifters. We removed it from my wife's CLK 550 when we purchased the car new, as she did not want the shifters. We replaced the original PS wheel with a new NON P/S walnut wheel to make her happy. I still have the PS wheel MINUS I AIR BAG.. If interested ...make an offer..
Ron Martin - ron.w.martin@eartlink.net
Ron Martin - ron.w.martin@eartlink.net
04-18-2013, 04:25 PM
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2003 R230 and 2007 W209
W209 Paddle Shifter Wheel
Have check my earthlink account and you should have no trouble if you use my email..ron.w.martin@eartlink.net to correspond re the PS wheel..
Meantime I will try to get a few pictures of both wheels for you..
Ron
Meantime I will try to get a few pictures of both wheels for you..
Ron
04-18-2013, 08:24 PM
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2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
I am interested in what is needed. I tried to figure this thing out 6 months ago and just became more confused than when I started. I have an 05 sl600 with a steering wheel that has +/- on both sides. what is needed to make it work? part numbers wiring, etc.?
04-18-2013, 08:27 PM
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2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
if it helps I got my tcu reflashed and I have an M-mode now, and I was talking with a Chris M back then, is this the same Chris?
