SL/R230: 2003 SL500 various issues
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
SL500
2003 SL500 various issues
Hi Guys,
I've done some searching on the forum for some advice on issues I'm facing. The cars a 2003 SL500 it's been standing for around 6 months unused. It has approx 87k miles on it. I just wanted anyones thoughts on these as I'm about to buy it to replace my Vette.
Issues are:
Push start not working - either switch or wiring maybe damaged in the knob as the car starts with the key in the ignition. Is there anything else it could be.
Slight misfire but no code - got me stumped no idea on this one. Dont really want to try to drive it in case I get worse issues. It doesn't have much fuel so I'm hoping its either just low or dirty. Anything else it could be?
P0705 transmission code - guessing it's the electronic controller. The car shifts into drive and reverse. No idea if it will go through the gears as I dont want to drive it due to the above.
SRS warning - Batteries have died and been charged so maybe its needing to be reset But the front bumper was cracked after hitting a kerb so no idea if it's a faulty sensor but no codes.
Roof not operating - It just beeps and says service required. I'm told this is likely due to the transmission issue. Any advice?
Any advice would be very much welcomed.
In case anyone would wonder why someone would buy such a car. The suspension has been changed to coilovers, the brakes are great, Body and interior are mint and I dont mind mechanical or electrical issues when buying as the issues will be negotiated from the price.
Thanks,
Craig.
I've done some searching on the forum for some advice on issues I'm facing. The cars a 2003 SL500 it's been standing for around 6 months unused. It has approx 87k miles on it. I just wanted anyones thoughts on these as I'm about to buy it to replace my Vette.
Issues are:
Push start not working - either switch or wiring maybe damaged in the knob as the car starts with the key in the ignition. Is there anything else it could be.
Slight misfire but no code - got me stumped no idea on this one. Dont really want to try to drive it in case I get worse issues. It doesn't have much fuel so I'm hoping its either just low or dirty. Anything else it could be?
P0705 transmission code - guessing it's the electronic controller. The car shifts into drive and reverse. No idea if it will go through the gears as I dont want to drive it due to the above.
SRS warning - Batteries have died and been charged so maybe its needing to be reset But the front bumper was cracked after hitting a kerb so no idea if it's a faulty sensor but no codes.
Roof not operating - It just beeps and says service required. I'm told this is likely due to the transmission issue. Any advice?
Any advice would be very much welcomed.
In case anyone would wonder why someone would buy such a car. The suspension has been changed to coilovers, the brakes are great, Body and interior are mint and I dont mind mechanical or electrical issues when buying as the issues will be negotiated from the price.
Thanks,
Craig.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,982
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 7
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From: Dubai
SL500
The explanation they gave was if the transmission system has a fault it could stop the roof from operating as it may think it's in gear and travelling. But I have zero experience beyond 80s and 90s Mercs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
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From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
The roof doesn’t care what gear your in. By design, the car must stand still when operation begins and you can crawl along slowly during roof operation.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
I would suggest you tell the forum where you and the car are, and see if a knowledgeable member or his/her mechanic is near you. The latter might work on the car if you buy it. If you’re lucky, the nuisances that caused someone else to sell the car are doable fixes. The transmission code might even be caused by a clogged filter and dirty fluid (not too likely at the mileage, and even that would need specialist treatment).
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 7
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From: Dubai
SL500
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 260
From: Netherlands
2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently
Coil overs: the addition of a functional torsion bar is a bit of an issue, I read on many forums. The OEM torsion bar fitted on the standard non-ABC SL350 is no fit, so if there is one on this car you’re looking at aftermarket or modified. Driving the powerful SL500 without a functional bar is seen by many as irresponsible.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,227
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From: Chicago
E63 SL55 996TT C5Z06
Did you resolve your trans code P0705?
that just presented itself on my 04 SL55 (72k miles all stock ) and I was able to clear the code a couple times and car drove normally but it’s come back and clearly something is wrong.
car drives and goes into reverse but won’t shift out of 1st gear or reverse.
I had this on my w203/c32 and it was about 1000 to have the shifter mechanism replaced since the electronics quit…will check the trans connector to see if it’s leaking fluid and try to clean that up as a last attempt…..
any others feedback on this would be super appreciated.
that just presented itself on my 04 SL55 (72k miles all stock ) and I was able to clear the code a couple times and car drove normally but it’s come back and clearly something is wrong.
car drives and goes into reverse but won’t shift out of 1st gear or reverse.
I had this on my w203/c32 and it was about 1000 to have the shifter mechanism replaced since the electronics quit…will check the trans connector to see if it’s leaking fluid and try to clean that up as a last attempt…..
any others feedback on this would be super appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Any problems shifting back into park. Does it drive OK for awhile after restart? I would suspect the shifter electronics, specifically these have an issue with the optical pickups that detect shifter position. The bad news is that the ESM is a theft relevant part and is expensive to replace. The P0705 sounds like a generic code, a Mercedes specific code of P1856 on the ESM or a P240C on the TCU would be a very strong sign that this is your problem. You cannot just buy a used ESM and install it. It would need to be virginized (if possible) and then recoded to your car, or you can get a new one from the dealer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 185
From: Chicago
E63 SL55 996TT C5Z06
Any problems shifting back into park. Does it drive OK for awhile after restart? I would suspect the shifter electronics, specifically these have an issue with the optical pickups that detect shifter position. The bad news is that the ESM is a theft relevant part and is expensive to replace. The P0705 sounds like a generic code, a Mercedes specific code of P1856 on the ESM or a P240C on the TCU would be a very strong sign that this is your problem. You cannot just buy a used ESM and install it. It would need to be virginized (if possible) and then recoded to your car, or you can get a new one from the dealer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 365
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
The ESM (shifter) is constantly reporting its position via CAN. A momentary fault of the optical pickups will set a P1856 code in the ESM, record a P240C event in the TCU, put the trans into limp mode, and disable the selected gear display in the cluster. If the shifter is still sending implausible data, it will not shift into park. However, if it was just a momentary problem and the ESM is now sending 'good' data, you will be able to shift to park. Limp mode persists for the entire key cycle, but will reset if you turn the car off and back on and the position information from the shifter is good. If this turns out to be your problem, you should be able to repair the shifter. The optical pickups are large devices compared to everything else on the board and tended to get cold solder joints. If you or someone you know is reasonably good at electronic repair (really just soldering), I can work you through the fix.
