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Got tired of dealing with a Electrical Consumers Offline warning every time the SL55 sat—it was getting to the point where sitting for three days would drain it. Sharing the steps i took to track it down in case it can help someone's google-ing this issue later.
Online research listed a number of things to check: Factory Phone
Mine didn't have one so no issue
Alarm Module
Disconnected and removed the factory alarm unit behind the front driver's wheel. Didn’t solve the problem but did shave 1/2 lb off vehicle curb weight
Tele-Aid
Physically bypassed the Tele-Aid module and coded it out of factory systems… it has to be coded out of both the digital optical circuit and also the SRS module. Didn't solve the problem but did finally clear the “SOS malfunction” error that’s been displayed since I bought the car in 2014. That was a win in and of itself…
Fuse Check For Electrical Draws
Purchase an inexpensive blade fuse tester and tested every single fuse… Found that the COMAND unit was drawing 0.09A with the ignition off. I didn’t feel like messing with the head unit or ripping up the dash so i added a fuse extender to make it easier to pull the fuse in/out when the car goes up the lift for storage
Glovebox
I also noticed a glow around the glove box and found that the door was slack, pushing on it turned the light off. Removed the bulb.
After three weeks of sitting (including of couple of really cold spells), started it up this morning—Electrical consumers were all online!
Now onto a headliner rattle and slow door lock actuators…
I am an electrical consumer of another sort. I am lucky I am not consuming any electricity from your SL55, I would have been found and evicted!
Good work sleuthing and excising those parasites. Especially the SOS INOP. I have had that problem myself, but I think that problem is resolved.
Good luck on your next project.
I did notice that in excess of 17 lurkers have viewed your OP, but have not commented.
Lurkers gotta lurk.
Last edited by MB2timer; Feb 27, 2025 at 01:10 AM.
Reason: /6
How did you deactivate the SOS? Is that done in DAS? I don't recall seeing anything in there. Which area should I be looking in?
Thanks
it’s been a while since I’ve done this, but as I recall, in DAS you delete the module from the most ring, turn off the feature, and bypass it with a fiber optic loop. This can be done with any non working non essential modules. DAS is much more friendly than xentry and is for pre 2012 models.
Interesting, I get some SOS message on startup, I wasn't thinking this is using electricity though. Maybe it is. My glove box latch is wonky, it sags open about a half inch, I've removed the light bulb and have to figure out how to correct the latch. I'll need to post a new thread about the glove box latch now.
From my online research, the SOS malfunction message is a byproduct of the older Mercedes comm system that became obsolete when MB switched to newer setups… which the dealer would charge you $$$ to convert to. Where it becomes an electrical drain is if it starts to try and ”contact" MB repeatedly and unsuccessfully. Not sure what prompts it to start calling MB but those cases seem to cause overnight drains.
The Tele-Aid module itself is in the the center area between the rear storage bins, some people pulled out the storage bins but i was able to do it by just popping off the center cover (the two screws are in the inside of the center console storage bin). You have to physically reroute the orange fiber optic cable around the module and code it out otherwise when you pull the Tele Aid fuse, the overall system still thinks it's there and you'll have no sound from the amp or cd changer, which is why just pulling the fuse won’t work.
Mercedes sells a $7 bypass connector 0005453384, which i bought but didn’t need b/c I was able to re-pin it into the existing connectors.
Here's a video from on YT (credit to the creator, Žanas Tumasonis) that I followed:
To code it out you’ll need a bi-directional tool—i used a Autel MaxiPRO MP808S (abt $450) but there may be cheaper units that can do it. I know the $100–150 MB iCarsoft units didn't have the capability. You’ll have to go into both the D2B/MOST and SRS/Airbag Modules and uncheck “Tele-Aid” as an option. The D2B is the obvious one but if it isn’t coded out of SRS, you’ll get an SRS light.
Last edited by lilbaggie; Apr 23, 2025 at 09:20 AM.
Reason: added link
Just sold my '11 Porsche TurboS cab for an '03 SL55!
This video was very helpful, thanks.
Now, Was I supposed to code the Tele Aid Module out before I removed it? I pulled it a linked the fiber cables first, then went to DAS, but Under Communication > Tele Aid, DAS can't find the module. So not sure how to deactivate it??
Just sold my '11 Porsche TurboS cab for an '03 SL55!
Here's some added info to my post above.
I was getting Code B1331 in the Steering Column Module saying "defective Phone Button" in steering wheel, which I couldn't and still can't clear as I was getting a "Communications Error" message. Kind I hoped I could clear it with the phone system removed. Any ideas here??
Also, as an added bonus, getting in there, revealed a full depth console glove box that was super limited with the motorola phone tray in place.
Using Star Diagnostic, you will need to change TeleAid coding from PRESENT to NOT PRESENT. By using these instructions, you understand that TeleAid will not be available in case of an emergency.
Model 203, 209, 210 C CLK E Class: In Star Diagnosis: Control Units –> Information and communication –> ICM – Instrument cluster with maintenance interval display –> Troubleshooting using complaints or symptoms –> Messages from the emergency call system are displayed in the instrument cluster.
Model 211 E Class: In Star Diagnosis: Control Units –> Body –> CGW (Central Gateway) –> Control Unit Adaptations –> Read Coding and Change if Necessary –> Telecommunications –> Telematics Service “Tele Aid” in combination with MOST technology.
Model 220 S Class: In Star Diagnosis, please navigate through the following menus: Control Units –> Information and communication –> ICM – Instrument cluster with maintenance interval display –> Control unit adaptations –> Variant Coding –> Special Equipment –> TELE AID or E-Call
Last edited by lilbaggie; Apr 23, 2025 at 08:54 PM.
Just sold my '11 Porsche TurboS cab for an '03 SL55!
Thinks, LiliB.
Found the Attached MB Service Bulletin that lays out a DSA path in detail. Also, I've attached pics of the Motorola Branded Telephone (Telaid) including the p/n. Also, a pic of the mounting stricture with the teleaid box removed. It is below the Voice Recognition box, which I also removed later. I'll update you on this DAS path after I've used it.
in an earlier post. If offers a detailed DAS path. I'll try it and update this info.
Just sold my '11 Porsche TurboS cab for an '03 SL55!
Following Up, here's what I found:
The Path in the Service Bulletin posted above is good. In step 3) where you change from Present it goes to "Not Existing" vs. Not Present. Close enough.
In my ICM (cluster module) it was already Not Existing explaining why I never saw the SOS failure note in the display.
But there were two other discoveries that I'd yet to see addressed elsewhere:
I was getting a Failure in the Airbag Module associated with communication with the Tel Aide module. Not too surprising as if a Airbag goes off, it was probably setup to send ta signal to Tel Aide to send an SOS. So, Tel Aide needs to be "coded out" of that module too. Before I did that, I couldn't clear the code B1875. After, it cleared as you'd expect it too. The DAS path is AB Module > Adaptations > Read Coding and Change if Necessary > Change Tel Aide from Present to Not using the highlighted drop down.
Similarly, I was getter an F in the COMAND Module: Code N1141 "Set Actual Configuration of D2B ring differs"..... I never really understood what this meant, but I cleared it by clicking on the error which seemed to take me to the COMAND Module and a menu where I found "Specified Configuration of D2B Components" where I found a drop down with 6 lines. I changed the Tel aide, Cellphone and Voice Control all to "Vacant", leaving just the Radio, Sound System and CD Present (or whatever it was that was indicated, I just left them alone). Then was able to clear the F, and a redo of Quick Test seems to confirm that.
Hope this helps someone out there in MB land.
Next up, I have a blade fuse current tester to check all the battery drains. I wasn't aware if the simple and cheap device ($20 on Amazon) but thanks the earliest f/u post in this string, I am now.....Thanks for that and all the good help here.
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