SL/R230: Dreaded Red Battery Icon - How I Fixed It
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
or at least shipping two for the price of one..
but, c'est laVie.. so it has been written, so it will be done.. and by the end of next week i should at least know what it looks like..
i chose the one with the dell laptop included.. that way i don't need to get into all the password stuff..
i would rather have had a generic version useable on any win 7 laptop and since i've thinkapds all over the place that would have been my first choice BUT this package comes with the dell so i'll bite my lip and go with that..
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
it advises to NOT let these cars sit for extended periods but rather to exercise them weekly or thereabouts..
to avoid deteriorating rubber parts fouling the ABC system..
i have been told that by various mechanics, too..
having said that, i have not exercised the '97 SL and it seems to be doing quite well.. though i'll sure put them ALL on a schedule of weekly drives..
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 30
From: Greenwich, CT
2008 SL550, 2014 E350 4matic
Isn't the Dell made necessary by the RS232 interface?
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
i attached a picture of the SDconnect part i got today, along with the used DELL laptop and a lot of cables..
i'll give this a try tonight (late) or tomorrow and see if i can muddle through, assuming it all works..
the seller says they set it all up to work without going through the various steps needed to get this to work in previous versions..
this SDconnect has an ethernet connection which i assume is in place of the old T30's serial connection..
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 6
From: Central Mass
2003 SL500, 2016 F250, 2017 Jeep Renegade
Bill you can connect to the MUX by CAT5 or by Wireless.
The Dells are much better at handling all the software then the IBM's I also think the IBM's had memory leaks.
The Dells are much better at handling all the software then the IBM's I also think the IBM's had memory leaks.
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
i don't see anything about wireless.. there were no manuals included..
well, yes.. the T30 was not so good with memory.. i sold the very first one out of the factory in mexico and my customer had memory issues.. with the second memory slot and other planar board issues..
i don't know why MBz chose a T30.. a T40 or later platform would have been much more up-to-date in those years.. but i digress..
i don't know why MBz chose a T30.. a T40 or later platform would have been much more up-to-date in those years.. but i digress..
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
a FULL review this is not, BUT it seems to work as advertised..
First, I repaired (pun intended) to the garage..
I set the DELL laptop on a cardboard carton next to the SL55..
I plugged the SDconnect into the CAN buss port under the dash, next to the emergency brake..
It, the SDconnect multiplexer booted up and waited..
Next I booted up the DELL laptop into WinXP and perched on the edge of the driver seat to see what i had..
the DELL did its thing, the SDconnect did IT's thing and VIOLA!, they were talking to each other via the wifi present on each..
i got this from here:
http://www.auto-repair-tools.com/who...&category_id=0
they seem very helpful and are available at the hours i tend to work on these things..
here are a few of the photo files i managed to upload..
want more pix, just ask.. :-)
I set the DELL laptop on a cardboard carton next to the SL55..
I plugged the SDconnect into the CAN buss port under the dash, next to the emergency brake..
It, the SDconnect multiplexer booted up and waited..
Next I booted up the DELL laptop into WinXP and perched on the edge of the driver seat to see what i had..
the DELL did its thing, the SDconnect did IT's thing and VIOLA!, they were talking to each other via the wifi present on each..
i got this from here:
http://www.auto-repair-tools.com/who...&category_id=0
they seem very helpful and are available at the hours i tend to work on these things..
here are a few of the photo files i managed to upload..
want more pix, just ask.. :-)
Last edited by bill morrow; Dec 3, 2015 at 04:51 AM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 30
From: Greenwich, CT
2008 SL550, 2014 E350 4matic
First, I repaired (pun intended) to the garage..
I set the DELL laptop on a cardboard carton next to the SL55..
I plugged the SDconnect into the CAN buss port under the dash, next to the emergency brake..
It, the SDconnect multiplexer booted up and waited..
Next I booted up the DELL laptop into WinXP and perched on the edge of the driver seat to see what i had..
the DELL did its thing, the SDconnect did IT's thing and VIOLA!, they were talking to each other via the wifi present on each..
I set the DELL laptop on a cardboard carton next to the SL55..
I plugged the SDconnect into the CAN buss port under the dash, next to the emergency brake..
It, the SDconnect multiplexer booted up and waited..
Next I booted up the DELL laptop into WinXP and perched on the edge of the driver seat to see what i had..
the DELL did its thing, the SDconnect did IT's thing and VIOLA!, they were talking to each other via the wifi present on each..
Now please tell us: What did it tell you about your R230? Was it helpful?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 30
From: Greenwich, CT
2008 SL550, 2014 E350 4matic
Did I see a 'G1 (system battery) defective' message? Unless the trunk battery is bad, it makes me suspect the F52f1 or F52f2 fuse again. They're $3.00 parts. I know they are a pain to access, but...
Last edited by CPDay; Dec 3, 2015 at 03:37 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 6
From: Central Mass
2003 SL500, 2016 F250, 2017 Jeep Renegade
First, I repaired (pun intended) to the garage..
I set the DELL laptop on a cardboard carton next to the SL55..
I plugged the SDconnect into the CAN buss port under the dash, next to the emergency brake..
It, the SDconnect multiplexer booted up and waited..
Next I booted up the DELL laptop into WinXP and perched on the edge of the driver seat to see what i had..
the DELL did its thing, the SDconnect did IT's thing and VIOLA!, they were talking to each other via the wifi present on each..
i got this from here:
http://www.auto-repair-tools.com/who...&category_id=0
they seem very helpful and are available at the hours i tend to work on these things..
here are a few of the photo files i managed to upload..
want more pix, just ask.. :-)
I set the DELL laptop on a cardboard carton next to the SL55..
I plugged the SDconnect into the CAN buss port under the dash, next to the emergency brake..
It, the SDconnect multiplexer booted up and waited..
Next I booted up the DELL laptop into WinXP and perched on the edge of the driver seat to see what i had..
the DELL did its thing, the SDconnect did IT's thing and VIOLA!, they were talking to each other via the wifi present on each..
i got this from here:
http://www.auto-repair-tools.com/who...&category_id=0
they seem very helpful and are available at the hours i tend to work on these things..
here are a few of the photo files i managed to upload..
want more pix, just ask.. :-)
Glad you got it up and running unfortunately I didn't have those instructions for wireless I had to use my own knowledge to get wireless going.
Also you have diffrent fault code than I had, so hopefully not the BCM for you.
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
expect to be charged for DHL shipping..
for me, it all worked as stated..
that was the least expensive for the entire package..
they only take paypal..
other offerings of similar did not give one that was ready to go..
the AC adapter for the DELL 630 laptop was not made for US electrical sockets so i ordered a whole new replacement AC adapter from amazon which will be here friday..
i figure it is cheap for what it will give me..
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
so no rummaging around with WinXP or the MUX..
Last edited by bill morrow; Dec 3, 2015 at 06:28 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 74
Likes: 19
From: San Francisco
2006 SL55 AMG, 2012 Land Rover LR4, 2009 C63 AMG
I have the same Dell system and MUX, it is invaluable. I also installed the Durametric and Triumph software for my Porsche and motorcycle and run a long extension lead from the work bench to my vehicles.
By the way, I am about to start troubleshooting my newly bought 2003 SL500 Designo Edition. It has ABC red errors, red battery light and a few other minor gremlins. I already ordered a ABC tandem pump, Blue Sea 5256 MIDI/AMI 100 Amp Fuse and a service kit. Fun times ahead...
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
your fun times are, for sure, ahead..
here is a link to a blog someone posted..
it has a very good writeup on the ABC system..
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully.blogspot.com/
if you know of a way to preserve it let me know..
OH!, you can get the Pentosin 1405216 CHF 11S Synthetic Hydraulic Fluid, 5 Liter jug from amazon.. about $79.00 and free shipping if you're a prime member..
same for the ABC filter..
for those fuses in the passenger footweall, you'll need patience, a strong arm, more patience, a 10mm socket and a long 10mm socket for one nut buried about half an inch deep in the bose woofer..
bose woofer rotates out from the bottom with the "hinge" edge being the top edge..
toughest part for me was the mounting ear on the left end of the bottom edge..
what i did with the dell is to solder the plug end from a standard power cord to the funky AC adapter end of the dell AC adapter..
it works just fine..
battery holds a decent charge and it works well..
have you added a printer driver so as to be able to print to paper rather than a file..?
i'm more accustomed to thinkpads which pretty much use the samke AC adapter for all recent manufacture thinkpads..
happy cursing..
here is a link to a blog someone posted..
it has a very good writeup on the ABC system..
http://mercedes-abc-drive-carefully.blogspot.com/
if you know of a way to preserve it let me know..
OH!, you can get the Pentosin 1405216 CHF 11S Synthetic Hydraulic Fluid, 5 Liter jug from amazon.. about $79.00 and free shipping if you're a prime member..
same for the ABC filter..
for those fuses in the passenger footweall, you'll need patience, a strong arm, more patience, a 10mm socket and a long 10mm socket for one nut buried about half an inch deep in the bose woofer..
bose woofer rotates out from the bottom with the "hinge" edge being the top edge..
toughest part for me was the mounting ear on the left end of the bottom edge..
what i did with the dell is to solder the plug end from a standard power cord to the funky AC adapter end of the dell AC adapter..
it works just fine..
battery holds a decent charge and it works well..
have you added a printer driver so as to be able to print to paper rather than a file..?
i'm more accustomed to thinkpads which pretty much use the samke AC adapter for all recent manufacture thinkpads..
happy cursing..
Last edited by bill morrow; Dec 5, 2015 at 03:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 30
From: Greenwich, CT
2008 SL550, 2014 E350 4matic
By the way, I am about to start troubleshooting my newly bought 2003 SL500 Designo Edition. It has ABC red errors, red battery light and a few other minor gremlins. I already ordered a ABC tandem pump, Blue Sea 5256 MIDI/AMI 100 Amp Fuse and a service kit. Fun times ahead...
For the record, do you know what initially caused your red battery light to come on? For me, it was apparently a too-vigorous jump start. This is such a common problem that it needs to be better understood.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 74
Likes: 19
From: San Francisco
2006 SL55 AMG, 2012 Land Rover LR4, 2009 C63 AMG
I just gained access to the fuses, they both seem to be intact :-(
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 30
From: Greenwich, CT
2008 SL550, 2014 E350 4matic
I don't know what caused the battery light. The car was in an estate sale and had been a non-op for 2 years, so I got a really good deal on it. The ABC, battery and EPS lights were all on when I bought it.
I just gained access to the fuses, they both seem to be intact :-(
I just gained access to the fuses, they both seem to be intact :-(
If you tested each removed fuse, then I hope it's not the N82/1 box (often called the battery management module) at fault. If so, that is an easily do-able, but pricey replacement. Used N82/1 boxes are usually found on eBay for about $300. Bought new, they can be about $900.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 73
Likes: 30
From: Greenwich, CT
2008 SL550, 2014 E350 4matic
Bill Morrow-
That wasn't a dumb question. I was hoping to learn the correct answer. My GUESS is that the 'Initial Values' might be the pre-programmed voltage levels that determine the power management module's actions, i.e, when it will activate or deactivate the relays that route the power for charging, emergency starting, etc. That R230 Dual Battery document might provide a clue.
That wasn't a dumb question. I was hoping to learn the correct answer. My GUESS is that the 'Initial Values' might be the pre-programmed voltage levels that determine the power management module's actions, i.e, when it will activate or deactivate the relays that route the power for charging, emergency starting, etc. That R230 Dual Battery document might provide a clue.
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
Bill Morrow-
That wasn't a dumb question. I was hoping to learn the correct answer. My GUESS is that the 'Initial Values' might be the pre-programmed voltage levels that determine the power management module's actions, i.e, when it will activate or deactivate the relays that route the power for charging, emergency starting, etc. That R230 Dual Battery document might provide a clue.
That wasn't a dumb question. I was hoping to learn the correct answer. My GUESS is that the 'Initial Values' might be the pre-programmed voltage levels that determine the power management module's actions, i.e, when it will activate or deactivate the relays that route the power for charging, emergency starting, etc. That R230 Dual Battery document might provide a clue.
and i did not want to look sillier than normal..
Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 130
Likes: 3
From: Eatonton, Georgia
'04 E500 4matic, '06 SL55, Cadillacs: '59 Convertible, '70 ElDorado, 3 '95 Buick Roadmaster Wagons
SO, to finish my part of this thread up, the athens dealer just reset it all and, i guess, made sure all battery connections were tight.. $200 (selling dealers money) later, all is well and has been for about 10 days..
i can recommend hilton head subaru as a dealer that took care of this issue..
i would have reset everything but i did not want to screw it up since i am still low on the learning curve for this stuff..
thanks to the guys who were of help..
i can recommend hilton head subaru as a dealer that took care of this issue..
i would have reset everything but i did not want to screw it up since i am still low on the learning curve for this stuff..
thanks to the guys who were of help..
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
2007 SL 550
CPDay
Buddy, I owe you cocktail and then some! I finally set aside the time to tackle my red battery light issue. You were not lying when you mentioned how hard it was to get to the 100 amp fuse. But after several hours, bloody knuckles, and some sore *** ribs from laying on my side into the car, I removed a blown fuse! To my delight and $6 later, I inserted the new fuse, cranked her up, and voila... NO RED BATTERY LIGHT!
To think that the Mercedes dealership wanted to change my front passenger SAM for $1000 in order to fix my battery light problem infuriates me. Those ****ers couldn't even guarantee that changing the SAM would fix my problem! And in my case it would NOT have.
Thanks again CPDAY! And thank you MBWorld!!!!
Buddy, I owe you cocktail and then some! I finally set aside the time to tackle my red battery light issue. You were not lying when you mentioned how hard it was to get to the 100 amp fuse. But after several hours, bloody knuckles, and some sore *** ribs from laying on my side into the car, I removed a blown fuse! To my delight and $6 later, I inserted the new fuse, cranked her up, and voila... NO RED BATTERY LIGHT!
To think that the Mercedes dealership wanted to change my front passenger SAM for $1000 in order to fix my battery light problem infuriates me. Those ****ers couldn't even guarantee that changing the SAM would fix my problem! And in my case it would NOT have.
Thanks again CPDAY! And thank you MBWorld!!!!
