SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Changed steering wheel

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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 11:42 AM
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2006 SL55 2007 ML320
Changed steering wheel

Hi all, I have a 2006 SL55 that I adore. I purchased and installed wooden wheel from eBay from a sl500. I am fine with losing the button shifters but now I can't down shift with the shifter in sport or comfort while driving. It works fine in manual. Does anyone know how to get shifter to work manually shift again. While in drive mode it works perfect. When I push shifter left to downshift nothing happens.
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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Don Butts
Hi all, I have a 2006 SL55 that I adore. I purchased and installed wooden wheel from eBay from a sl500. I am fine with losing the button shifters but now I can't down shift with the shifter in sport or comfort while driving. It works fine in manual. Does anyone know how to get shifter to work manually shift again. While in drive mode it works perfect. When I push shifter left to downshift nothing happens.
yes, I must remove the shifter SA code from your VDOK card online
then code your ETC online
other solution is doing it offline with DTS or Vediamo
in official online You will need a Sdconnect C4 and latest software
in offline and non official you need or C4 or C3 just Vediamo or DTS
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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 02:32 PM
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I'm going to disagree with the prior post, as I believe this has to be a wiring issue.

The buttons are wired in series between two inputs to the Steering Column module. If neither is pressed, then there exists an open circuit. So whether existing buttons are not pressed or the buttons are removed appears the same to the module.

Is there any possibility that the wires you left behind are shorted together, Don?
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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Rod_84
I'm going to disagree with the prior post, as I believe this has to be a wiring issue.

The buttons are wired in series between two inputs to the Steering Column module. If neither is pressed, then there exists an open circuit. So whether existing buttons are not pressed or the buttons are removed appears the same to the module.

Is there any possibility that the wires you left behind are shorted together, Don?
Is possible but as there is no more shifter hardware, the ETC is waiting for signal probably
I did two SL's paddle shifter conversions and firmware is not the same at all without
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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by pmercury
Is possible but as there is no more shifter hardware, the ETC is waiting for signal probably
I did two SL's paddle shifter conversions and firmware is not the same at all without
Electrically, no module or electrical circuit in Don's car discern that his new steering wheel is missing those two buttons. Logically, your point is immaterial.
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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Rod_84
Electrically, no module or electrical circuit in Don's car discern that his new steering wheel is missing those two buttons. Logically, your point is immaterial.
yes can be, just saw it's downshift only too
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Old Mar 29, 2020 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Don Butts
Hi all, I have a 2006 SL55 that I adore. I purchased and installed wooden wheel from eBay from a sl500. I am fine with losing the button shifters but now I can't down shift with the shifter in sport or comfort while driving. It works fine in manual. Does anyone know how to get shifter to work manually shift again. While in drive mode it works perfect. When I push shifter left to downshift nothing happens.
The paddle shifters are NO switches ( normally open ), so removing them has no influence on the input or behavior of the PCB module.
Has the original airbag module been refitted or replaced by the one that came with the wooden steering wheel ?
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Old Mar 30, 2020 | 02:54 AM
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Originally Posted by pmercury
The paddle shifters are NO switches ( normally open ), so removing them has no influence on the input or behavior of the PCB module.
Has the original airbag module been refitted or replaced by the one that came with the wooden steering wheel ?
Just reading this and am a bit confused, isn’t that what Rod was saying earlier?
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Old Mar 30, 2020 | 03:08 AM
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Originally Posted by matk
Just reading this and am a bit confused, isn’t that what Rod was saying earlier?

Has the original airbag module been refitted or replaced by the one that came with the wooden steering wheel ?

no ? you think so ?
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Old Mar 30, 2020 | 03:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Rod_84
I'm going to disagree with the prior post, as I believe this has to be a wiring issue.

The buttons are wired in series between two inputs to the Steering Column module. If neither is pressed, then there exists an open circuit. So whether existing buttons are not pressed or the buttons are removed appears the same to the module.

Is there any possibility that the wires you left behind are shorted together, Don?
I don't think that they are touching.
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Old Mar 30, 2020 | 03:29 AM
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Originally Posted by pmercury
Has the original airbag module been refitted or replaced by the one that came with the wooden steering wheel ?

no ? you think so ?
I reused the air bag and front buttons from the original wheel. I know it does not downshift. I have not tried upshifting it. I think I read somewhere that one shifter was NO and one was NC, but I can't find where I read that.
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Old Mar 30, 2020 | 04:34 AM
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Originally Posted by pmercury
Has the original airbag module been refitted or replaced by the one that came with the wooden steering wheel ?

no ? you think so ?
I don’t think anything lol, I’m confused and just asked a question to help myself to understand the background. No biggie, I’m still confused so I’ll bow out of this one.
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Old Mar 30, 2020 | 05:23 AM
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to confusing to me too
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Old Mar 30, 2020 | 05:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Don Butts
I think I read somewhere that one shifter was NO and one was NC, but I can't find where I read that.
You can download the wiring diagram as part of a package that I linked to and determine for yourself, Don.
.

Last edited by Seven Out; Apr 2, 2020 at 06:32 PM.
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Old Apr 1, 2020 | 02:35 PM
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Sorry my question was so confusing. If someone else has this issue, I took the shifter buttons out of the old steering wheel and will attempt to plug them in and tuck them in behind the airbag. That should solve my problem. They are pretty small
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