SL/R230: 2003 SL500 would not start
06-12-2016, 06:12 PM
#1
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2003 SL 500
2003 SL500 would not start
Drove my car home and try starting it 2 hours later and it would not start. Everything on dash lights up with message go to work shop. I check the battery and it is good(12.58volts), new battery in boot. I tried jump starting and it sound like it wanted to turn over but did not. I check starter relay and it is ok. How can I check started and solinod while they are on the car to see if they are getting power? If starter fuseable link was bad would the car attempt to start when I tried to jump it?
06-13-2016, 11:59 AM
#2
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It sounds like a bad cable connection or corrosion at the cranking battery or at the starter. If it attempts to crank then it sounds like low voltage at the starter. 12.58 V is almost full so I doubt it's the cranking battery.
06-13-2016, 12:49 PM
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Thanks next2pool, no corrosion on battery terminals. Got the car on jack stands....saw the starter but unable to see wire connections to starter. This morning I ordered new stater from A1auto. I have the car 3 plus years with not much history. Could be the original starter, don't know for sure. The price at A1 with warranty was very affordable. I will let you know when installation is completed.
06-13-2016, 06:07 PM
#4
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the voltage on the rear battery does not matter when it comes to starting, only the voltage on the battery in the front. the battery in the front its only purpose is to run the starter for the car. check the voltage and terminals on that battery if the car does nothing.
I would suggest you invest in a STAR tool as it is next to impossible to diagnose and work on these things without one. It would tell you exactly why it is saying visit workshop and tell you exactly how to diagnose and fix the problem by bringing up the exact pages from the workshop instruction manual. You may be throwing away money on a new starter as it may be a problem with a specific module or fuse. Most likely without hooking it up to a STAR tool you're going to just keep throwing money at the problem until you randomly arrive at what's wrong.
I would suggest you invest in a STAR tool as it is next to impossible to diagnose and work on these things without one. It would tell you exactly why it is saying visit workshop and tell you exactly how to diagnose and fix the problem by bringing up the exact pages from the workshop instruction manual. You may be throwing away money on a new starter as it may be a problem with a specific module or fuse. Most likely without hooking it up to a STAR tool you're going to just keep throwing money at the problem until you randomly arrive at what's wrong.
06-13-2016, 07:32 PM
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I hear you loud and clear and that makes complete sense. A Star is not within my reach at the moment. I check the starter fuseable link and if good. Where are the other modules located?
06-13-2016, 08:03 PM
#6
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There are lots of modules located all over the car. Some are underhood, some are in the trunk, some are underneath the storage compartments behind the seats, & some are even in locations I haven't mention (the transmission computer for instance is behind a panel in the passenger footwell). A STAR tool will run you anywhere from $350-$950 depending on where you get it from & if the software is already setup or not. You can spend that much in a hurry trying to fix a no start condition not knowing why its occurring.
06-13-2016, 08:46 PM
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There are lots of modules located all over the car. Some are underhood, some are in the trunk, some are underneath the storage compartments behind the seats, & some are even in locations I haven't mention (the transmission computer for instance is behind a panel in the passenger footwell). A STAR tool will run you anywhere from $350-$950 depending on where you get it from & if the software is already setup or not. You can spend that much in a hurry trying to fix a no start condition not knowing why its occurring.
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06-13-2016, 11:04 PM
#8
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the multiplexer (which is the device that goes between your laptop and the car) and all of the cables needed. You would then need to buy a laptop on ebay (or that you have laying around) with a serial port. From there you would need to find a torrent site to download the software and a key generator to unlock it. You would then have the full system and could do anything.
06-14-2016, 11:03 AM
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the multiplexer (which is the device that goes between your laptop and the car) and all of the cables needed. You would then need to buy a laptop on ebay (or that you have laying around) with a serial port. From there you would need to find a torrent site to download the software and a key generator to unlock it. You would then have the full system and could do anything.
06-14-2016, 11:08 AM
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06-15-2016, 11:34 AM
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06-15-2016, 07:10 PM
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I ordered an iCarsoft multiplexer MB 2 newer version from Amazon. It is a stand alone with full capability, but programming. Should have it by early next week.
06-15-2016, 07:27 PM
#14
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I don't think you want any Carsoft products. Also, I would not purchase just the multiplexer and cables until I had procured all of the software and necessary software keys.
It may be worthwhile to do a search on the forums and see what members have purchased recently and get their feedback.
If I were shopping I would consider a setup like this.
In regard to your car not starting, the red warning message indicates the Starter battery is bad, or the vehicle power supply module.
It may be worthwhile to do a search on the forums and see what members have purchased recently and get their feedback.
If I were shopping I would consider a setup like this.
In regard to your car not starting, the red warning message indicates the Starter battery is bad, or the vehicle power supply module.
06-15-2016, 07:33 PM
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I don't think you want any Carsoft products. Also, I would not purchase just the multiplexer and cables until I had procured all of the software and necessary software keys.
It may be worthwhile to do a search on the forums and see what members have purchased recently and get their feedback.
If I were shopping I would consider a setup like this.
In regard to your car not starting, the red warning message indicates the Starter battery is bad, or the vehicle power supply module.
It may be worthwhile to do a search on the forums and see what members have purchased recently and get their feedback.
If I were shopping I would consider a setup like this.
In regard to your car not starting, the red warning message indicates the Starter battery is bad, or the vehicle power supply module.
I am getting mixed reviews on iCarsoft multiplexer. Buying it locally would make it easier to return at least.
06-15-2016, 07:46 PM
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The iCarsoft is pre loaded with all software. Stand alone. It Is on Amazon. Take a look if you have the time. ICarsoft MB11 Newer Version
06-15-2016, 09:02 PM
#17
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No, they are different. I have attached a PDF that explains the power distribution in the early R230.
I took a look at that iCarsoft a couple of years ago. I remember it looking very good, but an SDS is worth the extra money, in my opinion. Note that with SDS you get not just the diagnostic software but electrical schematics, the parts catalog, and the WIS with it's removal and repair procedures as well.
I took a look at that iCarsoft a couple of years ago. I remember it looking very good, but an SDS is worth the extra money, in my opinion. Note that with SDS you get not just the diagnostic software but electrical schematics, the parts catalog, and the WIS with it's removal and repair procedures as well.
06-15-2016, 09:09 PM
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No, they are different. I have attached a PDF that explains the power distribution in the early R230.
I took a look at that iCarsoft a couple of years ago. I remember it looking very good, but an SDS is worth the extra money, in my opinion. Note that with SDS you get not just the diagnostic software but electrical schematics, the parts catalog, and the WIS with it's removal and repair procedures as well.
I took a look at that iCarsoft a couple of years ago. I remember it looking very good, but an SDS is worth the extra money, in my opinion. Note that with SDS you get not just the diagnostic software but electrical schematics, the parts catalog, and the WIS with it's removal and repair procedures as well.
06-15-2016, 09:42 PM
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The very first display is exactly what I get when I try starting my SL. Yes, I definately need a STAR if I am going to do most or all my repairs. Can you email me offline at vaderish@yahoo.com, more discussion about selection of SDS. I am all new to this. It is my first Benz.
06-17-2016, 05:54 PM
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Bobby,
The very first display is exactly what I get when I try starting my SL. Yes, I definately need a STAR if I am going to do most or all my repairs. Can you email me offline at vaderish@yahoo.com, more discussion about selection of SDS. I am all new to this. It is my first Benz.
The very first display is exactly what I get when I try starting my SL. Yes, I definately need a STAR if I am going to do most or all my repairs. Can you email me offline at vaderish@yahoo.com, more discussion about selection of SDS. I am all new to this. It is my first Benz.
Thanks again for the PDF file and the information you shared. I was able to get my vehicle started. I load tested the starter battery and it was bad. The click noise I heard when I attempt to start the vehicle was the solenoid being energized by the system battery. They was not enough juice in the start battery to energize the starter armature. I have not road test as yet, maybe on Sunday...
06-27-2016, 07:39 AM
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ABC LIGHTS ON AT CENTER CONSOLE
Hi Bobterry
Thanks again for the PDF file and the information you shared. I was able to get my vehicle started. I load tested the starter battery and it was bad. The click noise I heard when I attempt to start the vehicle was the solenoid being energized by the system battery. They was not enough juice in the start battery to energize the starter armature. I have not road test as yet, maybe on Sunday...
Thanks again for the PDF file and the information you shared. I was able to get my vehicle started. I load tested the starter battery and it was bad. The click noise I heard when I attempt to start the vehicle was the solenoid being energized by the system battery. They was not enough juice in the start battery to energize the starter armature. I have not road test as yet, maybe on Sunday...
Would you or any member know how to turn off ABC light at the center console. I recently installed coil over with light kit....no ABC light on display panel, but alli ABC LIGHTS ON AT CENTER CONSOLE. Vehicle drives fine, but I would like to turn off those LIGHTS if possible.
06-28-2016, 06:18 PM
#22
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With Star Diagnosis I believe you can code the car to delete ABC via "adaptions" for the instrument cluster. If so, then this may disable the lights on the console.
06-28-2016, 07:28 PM
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Ok. I would try doing that tomorrow. I did get my Super Star today. I played with it for a while......got a lot to learn. Question though, my CAN on ABC module is tricked out, I probably would not be able to see it?
