Hello MBworld! This is my first post here, so don't shoot me if I miss something.
Back to topic, Recently, while driving I got a message in the cluster telling me the car was not powering heated seats or luxury items. However, I'm not getting any alternator/battery lights, or malfunctions. also, when the car is idling, the lights dim in and out, and the engine rpms keep fluctuating +/- 100 rpms. is this an alternator issue? In august 2010, it was in for the battery/alternator light, and the battery was replaced and the alternator was "tested" even though the bill mentions nowhere of an alternator test. what do i do? car is out of warranty, and im not paying a ridiculous amount just for a diagnostic... I also posted this on another forum.

 

PICS cntd

 

I would assume either alternator or bcm...

 

Battery Control Module.

 

Where is this part located?

 

Trunk, and while you can replace the part you need to code it and reset the system with a STAR DAS

 

how much will this all cost when said and done?

 

And is it possible that this could be because of the recall in 2008? because we have run out of gas twice with more than 4 bars left... and improper fuel readings was in the recall, although we never checked into it..

 

IIRC the part is in the $500-600 range and the install is less than an hour with the programming

 

If it were a recall would it still be covered?

 

Doubtful, iirc the recall only changed the Firmware in the BCM which would have been done during any intervening service

Are you the original owner? are you sure that the recall has never been done? Recalls campaign's are often done during normal service

 

yes, i bought it brand new in 2003, but around 2006, the car was parked and sat until around 2008. then the only service we had was the one in august.

 

You might try but recalls sometimes have expiration dates