Does anyone know whether/how I can modify the paddles on a more recent model ('06 - '07) steering wheel to work with my '04 SL55 (which has the tiptronic buttons)? I bought the following from AGE tuning on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...101911640&rd=1

Unfortunately, none of the other threads on this forum that I've found provide a clear answer and AGE tuning doesn't know how to make it work. I'm looking for specific instructions if available.

Thanks very much.

 

One of the paddle assemblies fell off an 07 slk55 as I was driving it . There were only 2 wires inside which made me think it would be no different if swapping the entire wheel for an 03-06 car that "has" the shift buttons. Unfortunately, I doubt if you could "add" the paddle assemblies to a non-paddle wheel. Personally, after the aforementioned episode, I will never want these paddles... gimmie de buttons.

 

I also inquired about the possibility of swapping to the paddles for my '05 SL55 from "galbeli" before I even attempted an eBay purchase. He was honest to tell me that there might be a difference in the actuation switches between the '03-'06 buttons and the '07 paddles which you bought. He was correct!

I asked my MB service advisor and parts manager to research and they confirmed the difference in the electrical switch mechanism and assemblies. I'm vague about the exact difference now but it seems the older button switches had the contact sensors and senders directly below the buttons whereas the new paddles had wires connected to a separate sender unit in the steering wheel. They quoted an outrageous price of about $3K to perform the rewiring and surgery but I believe they threw that price with a new wheel (about $1800) included to dissuade me, at which they were successful.

The E55 forum has a long thread that discuss custom made aftermarket paddles adaptable to the shift buttons with minor surgery. Go into that forum and do a search.

 

I questioned AMG directly on this very subject and they told me that the newer wheels w/paddles would not work on my '03. The search continues!!

 

All -- thanks very much for the feedback. You'd think the paddles would be an easy swap for the buttons (which I currently have), but alas, they're not. I have a friend who's an MB tech with a local dealer and he wasn't able to make the paddles work, though he only had an hour or so to try. I'll let you know if I find anything . . . thanks again.

 

Are there any news on this topic? I've a 04 SL55 (with shift buttons on the steering wheel) and I've bought a steering wheel with shift paddles of a 07 SL 55 on Ebay. I wonder whether I can make it fit in my 04 SL.

I've done some search, so I know that the airbag will fit okay. But there's no real answer about what to do to make a steering wheel of a 07 SL 55 fit. Will it fit right away?

 

Sharkster,

With your new steering wheel is there a little control module in it and any wires ? Can you take a photo ? Is there a part number on the little control unit ?
I think there should be a small control box and a short 2 lead wire from it to the contact spiral. The paddles plug into the control box.

The SL system on both types is completely different to the version on the W203/CLK/SLK which uses LIN and the engine CANbus to talk to the gearbox controller. The SL has wiring direct to the selector module.

But I need to get hold of the control box and wiring to sort this out

Richard

 

Hi Richard,

no... the control box is NOT there. I was hoping that the control box of my SL 55 (with standard gear shift buttons on the steering wheel) can be reused.

I will be at MB tomorrow noon... and they'll check whether this will be an easy install or another PITA.

However, since I'm in Germany, I may be able to get this box directly through AMG easily. I will report the outcome of my MB visit tomorrow.

 

Hi Sharkster

My R230 MY04 (built 11/03) wheel has the resistor and zener diode hidden in heat shrink sleeving. On R230 MY04 and I think up to MY06 one of those buttons in normally closed and one is normally open. On MY07 R230 they are both normally open and have 2 different resistor values. Theres then 2 leads that go from there via the contact spiral, one to ground and one to the gear shift mechanism (ESM) (not the gearbox controller). On MY07 the 2 wires from the switches plug into a control box in the steering wheel (which I think just contains 2 resistors and 3 connectors), and then there is a 2 core wire covered in a blue tube from that to the contact spiral. What i've been after is that box and the wire, so if you can get 2 I'd be very happy. (see note later)

What I havent worked out is whether the ESM can understand both the dual resistor and the resistor/zener-diode setups, or whether the ESM changes. Its not obvious from the parts catalog.

On R230 MY09, and on C-W203,CLK,W211 there is a different setup - the box in the steering wheel is more advanced and is on the 3 wire LIN bus that connects the other steering wheel buttons to the SCM. The SCM then outputs the button presses on the engine CAN, and I beleive the gearbox controller itself picks them up of so coded. On the SLK and the W203 with the 3 spoke sports wheel (and possibly the SL aswell) there is no little box as the paddles plug into the airbag (i.e little box functionality in the airbag already). The extra 2 wires found on the R230 SL contact spiral are not present.

The other thing that may work on the earlier SL (again needing a lots of investigation) is to put the MY09 SCM in and hook in the little LIN bus box, and then tell the gearbox controller to look on engine CAN for the paddle shifts - but it probably doesnt have the software in it. In theory it means changing the SCM and contact spiral (although maybee you can just change the 3 pin plug on the older spiral) - a few hundred quids worth - so not so good.

I have the horrible standard black one MY04 on my car, and I have a full AMG grey 'extra soft' leather one and grey airbag - as I once had a grey interior SL55 and didnt like the black leather. I also have the black MY07 leather/alcantara one with paddles that I want on my car. - But as I said before I need the steering wheel control unit for MY07 SL - which is very different to the one in all other Mercedes.

I'm going to go play with Star diagnosis on my car later, so I may find out more - I just havent had time to look at my own car, just lots of other peoples, but not enough SLs to be sure yet.

As I said, if you do find a way of getting 2 of the control boxes and 2 of the 2 wire cables , that would be lovely - but do be sure you dont end up with the MY09 or C/CLK part (A034 545 58 32 or A036 545 29 32)
The 2 pin connectors don't have part numbers on them so no real way of making the cable either.

Richard

 

The whole subject seems to be really complex. I talked to my MB guys and they asked me for at least two full days of research (which they wouldn't charge though). I'll get back to them tomorrow... but it appears to be a major PITA to upgrade to the '07 steering wheel with paddles.

I don't get it though: There are two click buttons on the rear of my current steering wheel... and there are two paddles (which should function like click buttons,... right?). It should be possible to just hard-wire a solution.

I found a retrofit part number at AMG for the steering wheel with paddles, which is: B6 603 7322 (retrofit numbers start with a "B" as opposed to original replacement parts, which start with an "A"). Please note that the retrofit part# for other models (such as the CLS) is: B6 603 7321. Although the design is exactly the same as the one used on the R230.

The R230 steering wheel with paddles in that brochure DOES NOT have a production year limitation for the SL 55 (i.e. that it works on ALL SL55 - It does have a limitation for the SL65 though, saying that it cannot be mounted upon a SL65 - reason is not given).

I will do further investigation on this. If there actually is a solution to this, then I'll find it. I have one trusted German MB tech guy and one German AMG guy working on this... so I may come up with an answer within the next few days.

 

Sharkster

The paddles are normally open switches, i.e press the button and the contact closes.

The buttons, down is normally open, and up is normally closed. This means when you press UP the circuit is opened.

In both cases the paddle circuit connects via 2 wires through the steering column contact spiral, and then thru the SCM. One goes to ground and one goes to the ESM (selector lever module).

With the buttons version, the ESM sees 12volts (i.e open circuit with a pullup resistor in the ESM) when up is pressed. About 5V when nothing is pressed and 1V when the down is pressed.

I havent had Star on a 2007 to find out.

The SL65 was the first car to change (I think it changed to the paddle type electronics, or maybee the more clever LIN, can't remember, will check).

So, I suspect the description for that steering wheel part number was written before 2007 ..

At the moment, I think the solution is to replace the ESM with a 2007 version and to get the little control box in the steering wheel for the 2007 wheel (which I have no part number for). Or, to build a little relay box and connect it by the SCM so the steering wheel operates 2 relays (1 up, 1 down) that look like the buttons on the older steering wheel.

Yes, its complicated and lack of info from MB doesnt help. I have spent a while with Star Diagnosis on this (and to confuse you you can read the button values from the SCM diagnostic menu - although theres a cryptic note saying the info is coming from the ESM - where you can read the button values and the voltages)

Richard

 

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. I still haven't got a word from my MB guys yet... but I'm on it. I have translated and forwarded the info you provided to my MB guys. We'll see what they come up with.

 

Sooner or later, this will work!! I want the paddles!

My AMG contacts were matter of fact, in that it won't work.

 

Sunil Patel, Motorwerks Houston, figured out how to enable the paddles on an '08 SL55 steering wheel on my '06 SL55, as well as installing a power trunk-closer, a feat that even amazes Mercedes (German tech guys), inasmuch as this was not an option until later years (admittedly some control units had to be updated). He also has installed Renntech ECU upgrade, larger supercharger pulley, larger throttle body, carbon fiber airbox, headers and Quaife limited slip, AMG door sills, and other miscellaneous upgrades to my '06 SL55, all without a hickup. Sunil has performed similar magic on my wifes '07 S550, power trunk-closer, rear backup camera, with enabled parking grids for parallel parking (even after '08 Navigation upgrades). Don't ever assume that what AMG reports as impossible is, in fact, impossible. Sunil is now at full throttle in Houston. He is also **** enough to replace 10 screws if he removes 10 screws, rather than replacing only enough to get by.

 

Well, I'm from Germany... So there's no way for me to actually get my car to Houston to have the paddles installed. Do you have a contact there that would reply to email inquiries? I only need one more little info... and I'm even willing to pay for it.

By the way: https://mbworld.org/forums/c219/178640-weekend-project-part-iii-paddle-shifters.html Did you guys see this thread before? This guy just slapped on the paddles onto a steering wheel that before had the buttons (on a SL steering wheel... you can see the "A230" part number in the first pic).

How can that be? I thought the paddles where so much different from the buttons? And if they really are different... would it be possible to just take out the circuit board from the buttons (see picture), remove the circuit board from the paddles and place the board from the buttons into the paddles case? Can the paddles be opened... or would you have to break the case, do the swap and glue it back together? This should be the simpliest way IMO.

 

this may be a newb question, but do all sl's have some form of button or paddle shift or is it strictly amg?

 

AMG cars have shifting on the steering wheel, non AMG cars don't

 

so aside from a miracle, is there any module you can add that would give you that? I wouldn't want to drop several thousands on it or anything.

 

and if I were you guys, order an extra button from merc or get it from ebay, use something to model a paddle attached to the "guts" of the button, find someone with a cad hookup and have them made out of chunks of aluminum or stainless.....proceed to make more and sell like hot cakes. feel free to send me any portion of proceeds so I can get my sl

 

HI THERE ALL !!! OK THIS IS REALLY GETTIN TO ME NOW - I HAVE A SL55 2003 MODEL -
IT USES A 2 WIRE ONLY CONNECTOR FOR PADDLES - SO A LATER WHEEL [EBAY WITH ALLOY PADDLES] THEY SAY 2006 ONWARD ? I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SELLER WILL PHYSICALLY FIT - SO ? THE AIR BAG I REUSE - SO THOSE 2 CONNECTIONS ARE I ASSUME ALL OK - THE 3 PIN CONNECTOR TO THE AIR BAG ALSO WILL FIT - SO IT ALL SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD WORK ==== EXCEPT THE PADDLES RIGHT ??? IF ANY CAN CONFIRM THE ABOVE PLEASE DO SO ==== THAT LEAVES THE PADDLES ??? 4 WIRES - 2 JOIN TO EACH OTHER [HEAT SHRINK - LOOKS LIKE A DIODE / RESISTOR] SO THERE ARE 2 LEFT - WHICH GO TO A SINGLE 2 PIN CONNECTOR - SO IF I REWIRE THE PADDLES ON THE LATER WHEEL - EXACTLY AS THEY ARE ON THE 03 WHEEL - SAME WIRING AND ALL - THE ONLY QUESTION LEFT IS ??? DO THE SWITCHES IN THE LATER WHEEL HAVE MORE THAT JUST A SWITCH IN THEM SOME WHERE ? IE: THE WIRIES COMING OFF THE NEW LATER WHEEL WOULD BE 0 OHMS & SHORT CCT WHEN PRESSED IN ? DOES ANY ONE OUT THERE KNOW THIS ??? IF SO I WILL DO THIS RETRO FIT & POST ALL THE PICS / EVIDENCE RIGHT HERE SO WE CAN ALL DO IT OURSELVES & EASILY !!!! ONCE AND FOR ALL - PAC MAN - FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER [AUSTRALIA]

 

HI GUYS - I AM ABOUT TO START THIS SAME PROJECT - TO MAKE THE CLK63 [SMALLER FLAT BOTTOM WHEEL] FIT SL55 2003 - KEEP YOU POSTED I PROMISE

 

HI ??? 03 SL55 - THE HEATSHRINK FROM WHAT I CAN SEE IS ONLY A DIRECT WIRE CONNECTION - SMALL MALE - FEMALE SPADE TERMINAL - COVERED IN HEAT SHRINK - I THINK THE ZENNER DIODE & THE 101 OHM RESISTOR ARE MOUNTED ON THE SMALL PCB WHERE THE MICRO SWITCHES ARE ? IF SOME ONE CAN PLEASE CONFIRM THIS THAT WOULD BE GREAT !

 

I have paddles on my 03 and all DCT did is use the 03 switches and replaced them into the new paddles.

 

"I THINK THE ZENNER DIODE & THE 101 OHM RESISTOR ARE MOUNTED ON THE SMALL PCB WHERE THE MICRO SWITCHES ARE ?"

Yes, you are correct. A resistor is on the board with the + switch, a zenner diode is on the board with the - switch.

You can reuse the - switch, but you will need to bridge the switch with a zenner diode. The + side is a bigger problem. The later steering wheels use a normally OPEN switch (like the - side). The older steering wheels use a normally CLOSED switch. So you need to substitute a different switch as well as adding the resistor.

I recently installed a CLK 63 Black Series wheel on my 2004 SL55. The real fight was finding a normal closed switch that would fit. I ended up using the the later switch board as a mount, which I drilled and mounted a small normally closed switch. I then had to add clearance on the steering wheel frame. My local electronics supplier guessed an approximate valve for the zener diode for the - side. He guessed correctly, as both paddles work as they should. The only thing I'm not real happy about is that the + paddle doesn't have quite the detente feel the the - paddle does.

During research for this conversion I found where people have cut up the board/switches from the original steering wheel and cobbled them onto the later switch boards. After all the work I did to make mine work, I would probably try their idea first. If you wish to try to duplicate my route, I can try to find the diode package for the correct value.

All said and done, I LOVE having the Black Series steering wheel on my SL.
Good Luck!

 

=== OK - SWEET - NOW THE SWITCH IS NO PROBLEM - THE N/C ARE AVAILABLE NO PROB - BUT THE RESISTOR & ZENNER DIODE CAN BE MOUNTED WITHIN THE WIRING LOOM [NOT ON THE NEW BOARDS] I WILL PUT UP THE PICS & SIMPLE WIRING LOOM THAT ANY ONE WILL BE ABLE TO REPLICATE !!! PAC MAN