SL/R230: Hurricanes and electrical gremlins
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Hurricanes and electrical gremlins
Hello all. I'm a new member to the forum, but been an avid reader for a little while now. I own a 2004 sl500. Have the icarsoft for Mb. Love my car and enjoy (sometimes) working on it. Recently we caught a lot of rain from the hurricane. The air box/drain directly behind the starter battery was apparently clogged and (I'm assuming) sloshed over into the passenger foot well. Also found about 2 inches of water in the boot. Now I have several problems: the a/c no longer blows cold (however, I can do an activation through the I carsoft of the a/c compressor, and get ice cold air), the button that turns off the esp no longer functions (no light showing on dash), the passenger side mirror controls are now reversed, light sensor warning in command (for headlights, etc), and I now have the red srs light on. Everything else seems to be functioning normally.
Things I have checked:
Passenger side fuse boxes under hood and behind passenger seat.
Can bus distribution block next to rear fuse box (behind seat)
Passenger side can bus distribution block (which was wet, but now clean and dry with no improvement of any symptoms).
Love to hear ideas, experience, and advice. Il
Things I have checked:
Passenger side fuse boxes under hood and behind passenger seat.
Can bus distribution block next to rear fuse box (behind seat)
Passenger side can bus distribution block (which was wet, but now clean and dry with no improvement of any symptoms).
Love to hear ideas, experience, and advice. Il
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 184
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
Did you take out the SAMs under the hood - not just inspect them from the top?
They corrode from underneath, you have to disassemble them to see what's going on underneath.
Hope you've cleaned out all the drain pipes front and rear.
Boot leak probably the seal under the rear window. They all fail and have to be redone with RTV. Get into that boot leak and dry it all out pronto or you'll ruin the roof pump.
They corrode from underneath, you have to disassemble them to see what's going on underneath.
Hope you've cleaned out all the drain pipes front and rear.
Boot leak probably the seal under the rear window. They all fail and have to be redone with RTV. Get into that boot leak and dry it all out pronto or you'll ruin the roof pump.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 746
Likes: 184
From: Melbourne, Australia
2005 SL 500 R230
That might suck exhaust gases into the boot? Happens on other cars I've had and that gas will rust steel parts in the boot. Deal with the leak right first, that dodgy seal under the rear window can let a minor hurricane's worth in in short order. Replace with RTV for a permanent fix.
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
Sucking in exhaust gases - good point. There's air flaps on the side of the trunk bottom that start pulling out air as soon as the car moves forward. That's when the exhaust gases are 'left behind' (for the rest of the scenery to enjoy...) as well. Penetration of gases while stationary or while rolling slowly in congested traffic should be negligible. Especially with the belly plates installed and the permanent flow of air while driving. My two cents.
