SL/R230: Passenger Side SAM Replacement
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Victoria, British Columbia
2003 SL500 Tanzanite Blue
Passenger Side SAM Replacement
2003 SL500. Both batteries replaced in the last 6 months. The Star Diagnostic reported a Passenger Side SAM failure first thing in the morning or after I washed the car. No front right headlight or wipers and the dash light was on. There were a few other issues but these were the primary indicators. Connected the SD Connect 4 and every thing possible was defective as a current event. Either no data was being transmitted or the voltages were too high or low. Letting the car run for 15 to 30 minutes and everything started working correctly. At this point I cleared all the code errors and scanned again. All working good except the A/C over pressure. If the weather is really dry the car continues to function normally every morning. So I decided to replace the Passenger Side SAM as it is the control for the wipers and headlight. It is NOT an easy job to do but it is manageable after you have done it once. The problem I have is that when I removed it I discovered a broken wire coming from one of the fuses and I have not been able to locate where it should go. I am hoping that someone here has encountered this before. I did NOT stress the wiring harness in the removal process. The wire has been pulled apart - it is not a clean cut. It is fuse #47
Last edited by Starfleet56; Apr 24, 2016 at 02:09 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9
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mercedes sl55 amg
2003 SL500. Both batteries replaced in the last 6 months. The Star Diagnostic reported a Passenger Side SAM failure first thing in the morning or after I washed the car. No front right headlight or wipers and the dash light was on. There were a few other issues but these were the primary indicators. Connected the SD Connect 4 and every thing possible was defective as a current event. Either no data was being transmitted or the voltages were too high or low. Letting the car run for 15 to 30 minutes and everything started working correctly. At this point I cleared all the code errors and scanned again. All working good except the A/C over pressure. If the weather is really dry the car continues to function normally every morning. So I decided to replace the Passenger Side SAM as it is the control for the wipers and headlight. It is NOT an easy job to do but it is manageable after you have done it once. The problem I have is that when I removed it I discovered a broken wire coming from one of the fuses and I have not been able to locate where it should go. I am hoping that someone here has encountered this before. I did NOT stress the wiring harness in the removal process. The wire has been pulled apart - it is not a clean cut. It is fuse #47
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 24
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04 sl55 amg
Edit: I found an online manual and the whole housing doesn’t need to be removed 
.
Sorry to bump such an old thread. I need to replace the passenger side sam, but can’t figure out how to get it out. Does anyone have step by step instructions? I removed the battery and battery bracket, but it’s still really tight and boxed in by some sort of air box, and the air box is wedged in by the entire trim that runs along the bottom of the windshield
.Sorry to bump such an old thread. I need to replace the passenger side sam, but can’t figure out how to get it out. Does anyone have step by step instructions? I removed the battery and battery bracket, but it’s still really tight and boxed in by some sort of air box, and the air box is wedged in by the entire trim that runs along the bottom of the windshield
Last edited by parvo99; Apr 6, 2020 at 07:56 PM.
