SL/R230: Glitches out of nowhere
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
SRS, Roll Up bar, airbag lights on/off, command unit on/off randomly
Soo my SL started giving me hard times 
Yesterday the SRS light came on, for no reason. It went away after i took the key out of ignition and started the engine. Now it cames on with the roll up bar light at the same time, and i hear clicking sound begind my seat from the area next to the roll up bar mechanism. Then on my way home the radio started going on and off, with no reason.
Went to a friend, erased the codes, and i'll drive for a while to see if there will be codes that will come back. But when he read them most of them were saying "unit A1 fault CAN communication with instrument cluster" or something like that.
Any way got home and there were no lights on the display.
P.S. - had the car for over a year now, no issues since the moment of purchase. I keep the car garaged, drive it 2-3 times a week. Did a PPI inspection at the dealer when bought - no codes, no nothing. Rear battery holds charge 1-2 weeks easily.
I will go again and get SDS readings and will post the results later, just thought maybe anyone will help me get started somewhere
P.S.S - the lights go on and off randomly. They can come on for a minute or so and go off, or stay there for 5 minutes. The lights came back on even after the codes were erased, and went off again.
Thx in advance,
Ghostty
Yesterday the SRS light came on, for no reason. It went away after i took the key out of ignition and started the engine. Now it cames on with the roll up bar light at the same time, and i hear clicking sound begind my seat from the area next to the roll up bar mechanism. Then on my way home the radio started going on and off, with no reason.
Went to a friend, erased the codes, and i'll drive for a while to see if there will be codes that will come back. But when he read them most of them were saying "unit A1 fault CAN communication with instrument cluster" or something like that.
Any way got home and there were no lights on the display.
P.S. - had the car for over a year now, no issues since the moment of purchase. I keep the car garaged, drive it 2-3 times a week. Did a PPI inspection at the dealer when bought - no codes, no nothing. Rear battery holds charge 1-2 weeks easily.
I will go again and get SDS readings and will post the results later, just thought maybe anyone will help me get started somewhere
P.S.S - the lights go on and off randomly. They can come on for a minute or so and go off, or stay there for 5 minutes. The lights came back on even after the codes were erased, and went off again.
Thx in advance,
Ghostty
Last edited by Ghostty; Jul 8, 2016 at 09:22 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9
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From: Hayes, Va
2008 sl600
Hey Ghostty ~ I believe I read a couple of threads about the issue being the EIS, (electronic ignition switch). Check around the forum and, if you haven't already, you should find what you're looking for.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
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From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
I will for sure, thank you. Meanwhile i recorded a video of the issue, hope that helps.
P.S. - the whistling is from the brakes ^_^ Don't pay attention to that, i'm going to address that issue next week.
P.S. - the whistling is from the brakes ^_^ Don't pay attention to that, i'm going to address that issue next week.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Yes, radio as well. Goes on/off without reason. That's why i created this post to figure out what is it, and if someone knows the answer. I'll research the EIS, see what that comes up with and i'll post the answer.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
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From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Looks like others had same exact problems. And if it's not water on the passenger SAM unit then it's the EIS that was bad. So i'm going to pull the carpet on the passenger side to make sure of that first (because i did use power wash to wash my car) and if not then i'll have to check with the dealer for the part and labor. Yes, dealer, because it has to be programmed and stuff... Here comes my first big bill 
Here's the link to the post about the issue. 1siksl, you can read it there and decide for yourself
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/sh...t=84746&page=1
Here's the link to the post about the issue. 1siksl, you can read it there and decide for yourself
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/sh...t=84746&page=1
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
forget the carpet, the Passenger side SAM unit is by the starter battery, covered by a pretty good lock lid. Mine looks dry, as the drain from the hood is clear of debris or anything else. So, if i'll check all the fuses and contacts and they'll be good then i'll go for the EIS replacement. See attached.
P.S. - To get a full view of the SAM i'm pretty sure you have to remove the starter battery (and maybe some parts of the drain). Visual inspection of mine didn't urge me to go further than that. I'll get another SDS code reading before buying the new EIS unit.
P.S. - To get a full view of the SAM i'm pretty sure you have to remove the starter battery (and maybe some parts of the drain). Visual inspection of mine didn't urge me to go further than that. I'll get another SDS code reading before buying the new EIS unit.
Last edited by Ghostty; Jun 18, 2016 at 07:43 PM.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
So a 2nd SDS reading gave me only one error, as seen in picture. Read about it on the other forum i found the solution. That confirmed the EIS failure, along with the moment when the problem appears after starting the car, and it disappearing after ~5/10 mins of driving. Time to spend some money 
$595 initial price, ~$450 online price. Lets see how much the dealer will want for it +labor for programming ...
$595 initial price, ~$450 online price. Lets see how much the dealer will want for it +labor for programming ...
Last edited by Ghostty; Jun 19, 2016 at 12:51 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 44
2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
My problems arising from the EIS failure were intermittent, similar to yours. FYI, the dealership charged the following:
$654.50 ... parts
$675.00 ... labor
$1329.00 . total
No problems since that repair, 1 April 2015. Good luck.
$654.50 ... parts
$675.00 ... labor
$1329.00 . total
No problems since that repair, 1 April 2015. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Update on the thread:
So far so good, apparently it was the EIS. Went to the dealer, paid $900 to get it replaced. They offered to diagnose the source, i refused. Saved myself another $160.
Now the funny part:
After replacing i get a phone call from the rep. "Bad news, it was not the EIS, it's your instrument cluster that's going crazy. You need to replace it. Unit price - $3,000.00 (!!!!!)" JUST CRAZYYY... i told them i'll research myself the issue, maybe i'll work with a used one. Luckily, my Indy guy told me he replaced before, so for 350 he'll do it. Now used part price - $200-500... Not even close to 3k!
So i need to pick up my car from the dealer. I give them a call, tell them i'm taking it and i'll figure it out. They give me the keys, i start the car and (!) no issues... everything works, lights off, command unit works, power outlet works... It's fixed! Of course i'll double check with my Indy to scan for faults but so far so good!
Idk where the dealer came up with the idea of a bad cluster. Also i can't understand how it didn't clear all after replacement... Or they just didn't clear the codes and try again?
Any way quite a weird experience with the dealer... You guys were right, was the EIS. I will keep an eye on it, hopefully won't come back
Thank you all,
Ghostty.
So far so good, apparently it was the EIS. Went to the dealer, paid $900 to get it replaced. They offered to diagnose the source, i refused. Saved myself another $160.
Now the funny part:
After replacing i get a phone call from the rep. "Bad news, it was not the EIS, it's your instrument cluster that's going crazy. You need to replace it. Unit price - $3,000.00 (!!!!!)" JUST CRAZYYY... i told them i'll research myself the issue, maybe i'll work with a used one. Luckily, my Indy guy told me he replaced before, so for 350 he'll do it. Now used part price - $200-500... Not even close to 3k!
So i need to pick up my car from the dealer. I give them a call, tell them i'm taking it and i'll figure it out. They give me the keys, i start the car and (!) no issues... everything works, lights off, command unit works, power outlet works... It's fixed! Of course i'll double check with my Indy to scan for faults but so far so good!
Idk where the dealer came up with the idea of a bad cluster. Also i can't understand how it didn't clear all after replacement... Or they just didn't clear the codes and try again?
Any way quite a weird experience with the dealer... You guys were right, was the EIS. I will keep an eye on it, hopefully won't come back
Thank you all,
Ghostty.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 355
Likes: 41
From: amarillo texas
2003 sl 500
I've seen this solution (EIS) so much on odd-wad problems I haven't turned my switch since nearly buying my car (has keyless go). Don't know if it means a hill of beans -turning it ruins it?-but I figure it is worth a try. It is clear that it is an expensive repair to get into. moretech
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
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From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Moretech,
It doesn't have to deal as much with turning the key as with the functions that the EIS has after starting the car. The button on the shift works trough EIS any way. the ignition switch tests the connections with almost each system of the car at the moment of starting the engine. It just goes bad sometimes, just like any other wear and tear part. The difference is that it's not that much of a common issue, and very few people had to replace it. I counted 6-7 that dealt with same problem.
My total was $921.00 - 671 for part and rest for labor. Not that much, considering it's a new part from the dealer. But yes, it's not replacing a battery or a tire
Hopefully you won't get to feel the weirdness of the situation
Regards
It doesn't have to deal as much with turning the key as with the functions that the EIS has after starting the car. The button on the shift works trough EIS any way. the ignition switch tests the connections with almost each system of the car at the moment of starting the engine. It just goes bad sometimes, just like any other wear and tear part. The difference is that it's not that much of a common issue, and very few people had to replace it. I counted 6-7 that dealt with same problem.
My total was $921.00 - 671 for part and rest for labor. Not that much, considering it's a new part from the dealer. But yes, it's not replacing a battery or a tire
Hopefully you won't get to feel the weirdness of the situation
Regards
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
sl 500 2004
I think I may have the same issue. While driving ALL instruments go to zero and every light comes on. I hear a ping. But the car keeps driving not missing a beat. If I pull over, shut down, wait a minute and set off again all goes back to normal. There does not seem to be anything that causes this spasm. Is it the EIS?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
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From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Some members suggested that it might also be related to an old consumer's battery. If that's out of the equation - looks like EIS. At first it was going away as well after restart, but later on it stayed on no matter what I was doing.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 7
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sl 500 2004
Since I bought the car in May 2020 I have replaced both batteries. so probably EIS as you mention. That said, if I don't use the car for a few days the power consumers shut down and I get a message to that effect. All gets back to normal once it's run for a while. Could it be batteries without enough CCA's?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
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From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Unless i'm missing something, a new battery (per your post) shouldn't get discharged after couple days for you to get the consumer's systems off.... Unless you drive it that little that the battery never gets to full charge and always floats at around 50%... I would suggest every 2-3 weeks you hook up a charger and get it to 100%, the message shouldn't pop up.
Unless it's a bad EIS. Now about that - my dash lights started with 1-2 lights on, and would go away after a min or so. But when i took it to the dealer to change the EIS module (that's like 2-3 weeks later or more) the lights would stay on no matter what i did. So in my case it got progressive. Maybe that would be something to look for as well.
Unless it's a bad EIS. Now about that - my dash lights started with 1-2 lights on, and would go away after a min or so. But when i took it to the dealer to change the EIS module (that's like 2-3 weeks later or more) the lights would stay on no matter what i did. So in my case it got progressive. Maybe that would be something to look for as well.
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
I can’t think of a better way to park an R230 -or even any other way- than having it hooked up to a good trickle charger. Always (except during multi-day trips away from home).
