SL/R231: New (used) car issues
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Joined: Apr 2025
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SL350 R231
New (used) car issues
Hello everyone, glad to be here where I’m sure you’ll know many answers to questions I have.
bought an SL350 today, 2013, 80k.
fan for heater isn’t working and think it’s the heater regulator resistor. Unit turns on inside cabin to select settings but no fan moving. Tested fuses all ok. Checked motor and it’s ok. So I believe it’s the regulator? Am I correct?
After 20 mins of driving, check engine light appeared. Car felt fine, maybe a slight sluggish feel but I’m not used to her yet at all. Drove well! At standstill, Rickover seemed to be around 600ish rpm. I could feel a wobble. Is this normal? I thought it would be very smooth?
when I got home after a 2 hour drive. On and off again, no engine light appeared. Car felt much livelier! Any ideas?
exterior body, door to the black metal window trims are badly faded and pitted, also on rear window edges the black mouldings are heavily damaged over the years and look like they need painting. Do I replace? Or can I remove rub down and satin finish them? If so, anyone know how to remove all black mouldings?
oil change just done, new filter oil and air, pollen filter as interior dirty and a little musty. No signs of water damage or leaks.
any help is greatly appreciated!
bought an SL350 today, 2013, 80k.
fan for heater isn’t working and think it’s the heater regulator resistor. Unit turns on inside cabin to select settings but no fan moving. Tested fuses all ok. Checked motor and it’s ok. So I believe it’s the regulator? Am I correct?
After 20 mins of driving, check engine light appeared. Car felt fine, maybe a slight sluggish feel but I’m not used to her yet at all. Drove well! At standstill, Rickover seemed to be around 600ish rpm. I could feel a wobble. Is this normal? I thought it would be very smooth?
when I got home after a 2 hour drive. On and off again, no engine light appeared. Car felt much livelier! Any ideas?
exterior body, door to the black metal window trims are badly faded and pitted, also on rear window edges the black mouldings are heavily damaged over the years and look like they need painting. Do I replace? Or can I remove rub down and satin finish them? If so, anyone know how to remove all black mouldings?
oil change just done, new filter oil and air, pollen filter as interior dirty and a little musty. No signs of water damage or leaks.
any help is greatly appreciated!
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,496
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
1st thing is to get a proper Mercedes scanner, such as the LAUNCH Creader Elite 2.0 BENZ. That will tell you if you have any problems. Never trust lights on the dash to alert you to any problem. The CEL is intended to indicate emissions problems only. Also, look into get a membership with the BenzNinja Club for help with diagnosing and fixing problems remotely. You can click on the banner at the top of certain forums or just go to https://benzninja.com/mbw/.
