SL/R230: Dealer says Passenger-side SAM MUST be REPLACED???
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Joined: Jul 2018
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From: USA Tennessee
2008 SL550 R230, 2004 E320 W211
Dealer says Passenger-side SAM MUST be REPLACED???
Dealer was checking stored codes and is now telling me that the Passenger-side SAM is defective and must be replaced before they can check other codes?
Prior to this, I had red BRAKE messages that came on and then went away (a couple of weeks ago). Using my SDS, I had stored codes that SBC had insufficient pressure. I took the car to the dealer (an hour and a half away) and told them about the BRAKE messages and asked them to check for stored SBC codes (assuming it SBC repair/replace be under warranty).
They have now called and said that the passenger-side SAM is defective and must be replaced ($710), and they can't check for any other codes until this SAM is replaced.
This doesn't seem right to me? Why would the passenger side SAM prevent them from checking for any other codes?
Other than driving back (1.5 hours) and taking to another dealer (1.5 hours in the other direction), does anyone have any other advice?
Lee
Prior to this, I had red BRAKE messages that came on and then went away (a couple of weeks ago). Using my SDS, I had stored codes that SBC had insufficient pressure. I took the car to the dealer (an hour and a half away) and told them about the BRAKE messages and asked them to check for stored SBC codes (assuming it SBC repair/replace be under warranty).
They have now called and said that the passenger-side SAM is defective and must be replaced ($710), and they can't check for any other codes until this SAM is replaced.
This doesn't seem right to me? Why would the passenger side SAM prevent them from checking for any other codes?
Other than driving back (1.5 hours) and taking to another dealer (1.5 hours in the other direction), does anyone have any other advice?
Lee
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The SBC pump runs off the right SAM, so it is possible that it could be the cause of the problem, but I would ask to see the report from SDS (or Xenty/DAS as they may call it) to show you why they say that. Also, I would make them give you the old part (and they should since it's not warranty claim for the SAM).
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 171
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From: USA Tennessee
2008 SL550 R230, 2004 E320 W211
@Rudeney As always, thanks for the advice. It just seems odd that the Service Rep told me that their SDS couldn't read any other codes until the SAM was replaced. Maybe something was lost in translation of information from the Mechanic to the Service Rep to me?
I have a SmartTop module installed, which I did not remove before I left the car at the Dealer. Surely that isn't an issue?
I will probably go ahead and tell them to replace the Passenger SAM. They did send me a scan from what looks like DAS that says N10/11 is Defective and needs replacement. I just didn't feel good about them telling me that they couldn't read the codes because the passenger SAM was bad...
Thanks again for the advice.
Lee
I have a SmartTop module installed, which I did not remove before I left the car at the Dealer. Surely that isn't an issue?
I will probably go ahead and tell them to replace the Passenger SAM. They did send me a scan from what looks like DAS that says N10/11 is Defective and needs replacement. I just didn't feel good about them telling me that they couldn't read the codes because the passenger SAM was bad...
Thanks again for the advice.
Lee
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
I really doubt is has anything to do with the Smart Top. It just sits between the roof controller and the CAN bus, so while it may listen to some signals from the SAMs, it won't send any signals to them that would cause any issues. Some people prefer to disable the SmartTop when the car is in for service just so just so the techs and porters don't accidentally activate it.
I would tell them to replace it, but that if that does not fix your brake problems, that you expect the rest of the work to be completely covered by the SBC warranty or by the them - you expect them to be the experts and not just be guessing by "throwing parts at it".
I would tell them to replace it, but that if that does not fix your brake problems, that you expect the rest of the work to be completely covered by the SBC warranty or by the them - you expect them to be the experts and not just be guessing by "throwing parts at it".
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 171
Likes: 34
From: USA Tennessee
2008 SL550 R230, 2004 E320 W211
Just to close the loop on this, the Dealer did replace the SAM (about $700 parts and labor), and then they found stored codes for low pressure on SBC. So they replaced the SBC pump under warranty!
Overall, I'm happy...
Thanks
Lee
Overall, I'm happy...
Thanks
Lee
