SL/R230: SL/R230Load Separation Module Needed
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans,LA
2005 SL 500 R230
SL/R230Load Separation Module Needed
Hi. I have a R230 2005 SL with 50,000 miles that’s in pristine condition that hasn't
been driven in over 3 months due to not being able to locate a Load Separation Module (or some call it a BCM) because The Mercedes Dealership says that they STOPED producing this part and it’s no after market parts available! So my car is just sitting in my garage! Can anyone help me with this problem or guide me in the right direction? Any help would be deeply appreciated!!!
been driven in over 3 months due to not being able to locate a Load Separation Module (or some call it a BCM) because The Mercedes Dealership says that they STOPED producing this part and it’s no after market parts available! So my car is just sitting in my garage! Can anyone help me with this problem or guide me in the right direction? Any help would be deeply appreciated!!!
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
If yours is not burned, there are electronics repair shops that will fix them. Otherwise, they are available on Ebay, just pricey right now. Are you 100% sure that yours is bad?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 14
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From: New Orleans,LA
2005 SL 500 R230
Thanks for responding. That’s what the Eletrical repair shop diagnosed. They checked everything from the front to underneath the passenger glove box to the rear trunk. Visit workshop malfunction warning stays on. Most of the conveniences are not working, such as windows don’t close all the way, seats controls work strange, and overheads lights don’t work.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
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From: North West England
SL500
Get it diagnosed properly by independent Mercedes specialist using STAR SDS system.
Your symptoms don't sound like BCM failure. Mercedes R230 is out of the realms of an auto electrician!
Effectively all BCM does is keep the two batteries isolated (unless one is low voltage), and regulates the charging of the starter battery.
If you have two fully charged batteries everything should work as normal, unless you have a "consumers off line message, but car will start and run.
Your symptoms don't sound like BCM failure. Mercedes R230 is out of the realms of an auto electrician!
Effectively all BCM does is keep the two batteries isolated (unless one is low voltage), and regulates the charging of the starter battery.
If you have two fully charged batteries everything should work as normal, unless you have a "consumers off line message, but car will start and run.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 474
Likes: 120
From: North West England
SL500
Ouch. That must hurt.
Without full diagnostics you may be spending several times that...
A lot of Mercedes dealers just are not interested in 20 year old cars. Cant you find a trusted independent Mercedes specialist?
Without full diagnostics you may be spending several times that...
A lot of Mercedes dealers just are not interested in 20 year old cars. Cant you find a trusted independent Mercedes specialist?
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
Hmmm. Who's this workshop? R230 needs specialist knowledge, not an MB dealer. They don't know diddly-squat about the R230 now. Too old. Few here would go near one.
As mentioned, probably not the BCM.
Visit workshop malfunction warning stays on. Common fault after rear battery gone flat. Clear the code with a hand scanner such as Foxell.
Most of the conveniences are not working - do you have the 'convenience features unavailable'? If so, charge up rear battery and it will go.
Windows don’t close all the way - hold up both switches fully for three seconds until all four windows close fully.
Seats controls work strange - tell more
And overheads lights don’t work - check all fuses in all three fuseboxes - always the first thing in any elec. diagnosis on any car...
As mentioned, probably not the BCM.
Visit workshop malfunction warning stays on. Common fault after rear battery gone flat. Clear the code with a hand scanner such as Foxell.
Most of the conveniences are not working - do you have the 'convenience features unavailable'? If so, charge up rear battery and it will go.
Windows don’t close all the way - hold up both switches fully for three seconds until all four windows close fully.
Seats controls work strange - tell more
And overheads lights don’t work - check all fuses in all three fuseboxes - always the first thing in any elec. diagnosis on any car...
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Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Sorry, but spend a little more and get a CORRECT scanner. I recommend a Mercedes-specific scanner, such as iCarsoft MB V3.0, LAUNCH Creader Elite BENZ, or Foxwell NT510 Elite. You will be able to scan your car at any time and not rely on others that may not know what they are doing or have the right equipment. On Amazon, they are pretty inexpensive compared to what I've seen them sell for elsewhere. They are small enough to store in your car (such as the fuse compartment in the trunk). Sometimes a code may cause the car to run rough and clearing it will restore normal operation until you get a chance to check it out. (Do not waste your money on the iCarsoft MB II. It is slower and requires you to check each module for codes. MB V3.0 runs an automatic scan and will identify modules with DTCs so you don't need to check 30 or 40 modules individually.). My personal favorite it the LAUNCH Creader Elite BENZ.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: New Orleans,LA
2005 SL 500 R230
Sorry for taking so long to respond, but you are saying that it may not be BCM? Tomorrow I will try to find someone with those test tools. I’ve called several shops today in New Orleans and no one said the have what is needed to do the test on it. This is so troubling. Thanks so much!
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Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
Grab it, you will need it again!
Hi. From the initial Question was that it’s all new batteries and alternator. All fuses are good.
Clear out the codes and see what comes back. Battery light message will likely go and stay out now.
Hi. From the initial Question was that it’s all new batteries and alternator. All fuses are good.
Clear out the codes and see what comes back. Battery light message will likely go and stay out now.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 366
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
Speaking for all of the older MB specialists out there, that is often what these cars need. Glad you got it sorted without spending $1500 on a used module.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 366
From: Gretna, NE
'03 SL55 Black, '03 SL500's Aegean, Mars Red, Tazanite, Alabaster, '11 S550 Flint Gray
