SL/R230: Sulfur burning smell coming from trunk/battery.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 39
Likes: 10
From: Carson City, NV
SL600, SL550, SL500, SLK350
Yes, most fire theories over the years from owners point to age-related failures in the BCM (like shorted electrolyic capacitors), I would think there need to be two large amperage fusible links, one for the incoming starter battery power and another one for the incoming systems/consumer battery power. Since both links would have to supply sufficient amperage to the biggest current draws (most likely the starter motor), they would need to be pretty beefy.
Given the human life liabilities possible and the number of reported BCM burnouts, It's pretty surprising that MB has been rolling the dice for so many years on R230-caused garage/house fires.
Given the human life liabilities possible and the number of reported BCM burnouts, It's pretty surprising that MB has been rolling the dice for so many years on R230-caused garage/house fires.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 334
From: South Florida
2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
Just a reminder to stay aware of the BCM problem and have a MB Dealer check it from time-to-time. You may not notice the smell in time to avoid a fire which sadly, often happens inside a home garage which brings into play catastrophic implications. My fire occurred at around 11PM at night with the 230 parked in my home garage.
There are just so many 230's still out there with this 'prone-to-failure' Battery Control Module and fact is, there may not even be any tell-tale smell to indicate a BCM electrical shorting issue.
In my case, there was no indication whatsoever of a problem until an actual 'spontaneous combustion' occurred inside my 230's trunk and spread to the garage. My 230 was completely destroyed by the fire. Had I not discovered the fire in my garage just before going to bed that night, it might very well have burned down my entire house with me an my Family sleeping inside. I should add that I had not even driven the car for 3-days prior to this fire's occurrence.
I urge everyone with a 230 to take this BCM fire hazard very seriously and monitor the condition of the BCM inside your 230.
(Note that this BCM was installed in 230's for the entire model year run of 9-years - 2003 to 2012).
There are just so many 230's still out there with this 'prone-to-failure' Battery Control Module and fact is, there may not even be any tell-tale smell to indicate a BCM electrical shorting issue.
In my case, there was no indication whatsoever of a problem until an actual 'spontaneous combustion' occurred inside my 230's trunk and spread to the garage. My 230 was completely destroyed by the fire. Had I not discovered the fire in my garage just before going to bed that night, it might very well have burned down my entire house with me an my Family sleeping inside. I should add that I had not even driven the car for 3-days prior to this fire's occurrence.
I urge everyone with a 230 to take this BCM fire hazard very seriously and monitor the condition of the BCM inside your 230.
(Note that this BCM was installed in 230's for the entire model year run of 9-years - 2003 to 2012).
Last edited by bob55; Sep 1, 2020 at 05:01 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Travelers Rest, South Carolina
2015 ML350 (W166), 2010 E350 (sold), 2003 SL500 (sold)
Just a reminder to stay aware of the BCM problem and have a MB Dealer check it from time-to-time. You may not notice the smell in time to avoid a fire which sadly, often happens inside a home garage which brings into play catastrophic implications. My fire occurred at around 11PM at night with the 230 parked in my home garage.
There are just so many 230's still out there with this 'prone-to-failure' Battery Control Module and fact is, there may not even be any tell-tale smell to indicate a BCM electrical shorting issue.
In my case, there was no indication whatsoever of a problem until an actual 'spontaneous combustion' occurred inside my 230's trunk and spread to the garage. My 230 was completely destroyed by the fire. Had I not discovered the fire in my garage just before going to bed that night, it might very well have burned down my entire house with me an my Family sleeping inside. I should add that I had not even driven the car for 3-days prior to this fire's occurrence.
I urge everyone with a 230 to take this BCM fire hazard very seriously and monitor the condition of the BCM inside your 230.
(Note that this BCM was installed in 230's for the entire model year run of 9-years - 2003 to 2012).
There are just so many 230's still out there with this 'prone-to-failure' Battery Control Module and fact is, there may not even be any tell-tale smell to indicate a BCM electrical shorting issue.
In my case, there was no indication whatsoever of a problem until an actual 'spontaneous combustion' occurred inside my 230's trunk and spread to the garage. My 230 was completely destroyed by the fire. Had I not discovered the fire in my garage just before going to bed that night, it might very well have burned down my entire house with me an my Family sleeping inside. I should add that I had not even driven the car for 3-days prior to this fire's occurrence.
I urge everyone with a 230 to take this BCM fire hazard very seriously and monitor the condition of the BCM inside your 230.
(Note that this BCM was installed in 230's for the entire model year run of 9-years - 2003 to 2012).
