Cluster is blank and other issues
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 4
From: Cape Cod, MA
05' E55 Wagon, 18' S90 T6, 00' M5, 19' F150
Cluster is blank and other issues
I went to start my 2005 E55 wagon today after letting it sit for about four weeks and the battery sounded tired, but it started. Once running, my gauge cluster and HVAC controls were completely blank. I let the car run for 45 minutes and the HVAC lights were dim now. I unplugged both batteries and charged them. Same issue with charged batteries. I checked the fuses and the SAM area and everything seems fine.
I ran DAS on it and got an "-i-" error for the instrument cluster. It won't communicate with it at all. Usually DAS shows an -F- for things it doesn't like.
Any ideas where to start looking? I have found some other people with this issue in the past and it seems like having the batteries disconnected for a while would end up fixing the problem. I have had the car for 5 years now and have never seen this one yet.
Other issues I have noticed as of now:
lowbeams are on no matter what.
supercharger did not engage on a short trip yesterday
I ran DAS on it and got an "-i-" error for the instrument cluster. It won't communicate with it at all. Usually DAS shows an -F- for things it doesn't like.
Any ideas where to start looking? I have found some other people with this issue in the past and it seems like having the batteries disconnected for a while would end up fixing the problem. I have had the car for 5 years now and have never seen this one yet.
Other issues I have noticed as of now:
lowbeams are on no matter what.
supercharger did not engage on a short trip yesterday
Last edited by ekalb; Oct 31, 2019 at 02:28 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 499
Likes: 66
From: N.Y. L.I.
04 E55 AMG BLK/BLK(MyDD), 06 CLK 500 (wife's) 07 ML500, 2012 C300(son's)
Did you (properly)test the batteries? If they are older and they have been left in a discharged state for an extended period, they may be gone.
Did you go into the controller with the "i" and check for codes or events?
Low beams.... You did not mention if they are HID or halogen?
http://support.rollsbattery.com/supp...tery-sulfation
Did you go into the controller with the "i" and check for codes or events?
Low beams.... You did not mention if they are HID or halogen?
http://support.rollsbattery.com/supp...tery-sulfation
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 4
From: Cape Cod, MA
05' E55 Wagon, 18' S90 T6, 00' M5, 19' F150
Did you (properly)test the batteries? If they are older and they have been left in a discharged state for an extended period, they may be gone.
Did you go into the controller with the "i" and check for codes or events?
Low beams.... You did not mention if they are HID or halogen?
http://support.rollsbattery.com/supp...tery-sulfation
Did you go into the controller with the "i" and check for codes or events?
Low beams.... You did not mention if they are HID or halogen?
http://support.rollsbattery.com/supp...tery-sulfation
bi xenon headlamps.
I couldn’t even read the events for the cluster. It just will not acknowledge it when I try to dig into.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 499
Likes: 66
From: N.Y. L.I.
04 E55 AMG BLK/BLK(MyDD), 06 CLK 500 (wife's) 07 ML500, 2012 C300(son's)
Checking the batteries properly has been beaten to death
. Doesn't sound like the car is driven much that is why I'm suspicious of the batteries. From the link I posted " When hard sulfate is present, the battery shows a false voltage, higher than it's true voltage, fooling the voltage regulator into thinking that the battery is fully charged. This causes the charger to prematurely lower it's current output, leaving the battery discharged".
I assume you gone through the fuses.
When did the low beams get stuck "on" before or after the cluster situation?
With all the rain the east cost has gotten I'd also check for water intrusion.
. Doesn't sound like the car is driven much that is why I'm suspicious of the batteries. From the link I posted " When hard sulfate is present, the battery shows a false voltage, higher than it's true voltage, fooling the voltage regulator into thinking that the battery is fully charged. This causes the charger to prematurely lower it's current output, leaving the battery discharged".I assume you gone through the fuses.
When did the low beams get stuck "on" before or after the cluster situation?
With all the rain the east cost has gotten I'd also check for water intrusion.
Last edited by Pmarino; Oct 31, 2019 at 03:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 4
From: Cape Cod, MA
05' E55 Wagon, 18' S90 T6, 00' M5, 19' F150
Checking the batteries properly has been beaten to death. Doesn't sound like the car is driven much that is why I'm suspicious of the batteries. From the link I posted " When hard sulfate is present, the battery shows a false voltage, higher than it's true voltage, fooling the voltage regulator into thinking that the battery is fully charged. This causes the charger to prematurely lower it's current output, leaving the battery discharged".
I assume you gone through the fuses.
When did the low beams get stuck "on" before or after the cluster situation?
With all the rain the east cost has gotten I'd also check for water intrusion.
. Doesn't sound like the car is driven much that is why I'm suspicious of the batteries. From the link I posted " When hard sulfate is present, the battery shows a false voltage, higher than it's true voltage, fooling the voltage regulator into thinking that the battery is fully charged. This causes the charger to prematurely lower it's current output, leaving the battery discharged".I assume you gone through the fuses.
When did the low beams get stuck "on" before or after the cluster situation?
With all the rain the east cost has gotten I'd also check for water intrusion.
Its my wife's car and she spent a bunch of time cleaning out pine needles and leaves from around the hood area. I absolutely agree its a water ingress issue, but I'm not sure where. Maybe sunroof drains? I really wish it was something obvious, all fuse locations look dry.
I really appreciate the help and battery link!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 499
Likes: 66
From: N.Y. L.I.
04 E55 AMG BLK/BLK(MyDD), 06 CLK 500 (wife's) 07 ML500, 2012 C300(son's)
Check the fire wall carpets inside both drivers and passenger and also pull back the carpeting in the foot wells (cowel drains).
Sun roof will be front A-pillars and overhead controls as well as rear foot wells.
Sun roof will be front A-pillars and overhead controls as well as rear foot wells.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 4
From: Cape Cod, MA
05' E55 Wagon, 18' S90 T6, 00' M5, 19' F150
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 499
Likes: 66
From: N.Y. L.I.
04 E55 AMG BLK/BLK(MyDD), 06 CLK 500 (wife's) 07 ML500, 2012 C300(son's)
It's worth it to pull the sill plate and wedge your hand down between the body and carpet. Along that area many electronic components and connectors live. If there is any moisture, you'll need to pull the carpet up as much as possible and get a space heater and or a heat gun (set on low) and start drying out the foot wells. You may have to pull the front seats.(Think I'v been through this before?
)
)
Last edited by Pmarino; Oct 31, 2019 at 11:07 PM.
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