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Mercedes-Benz R-Class Electrical Problems

23 messages,  Last post on Jan 15, 2009 at 4:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Electrical, Wagon


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#15 of 23
Lighting problems by james3686
Nov 16, 2008 (2:10 pm)
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I have 06 R 350, at times the tail lights don't light and I get a read out " left substitute light on" other times it will be " right substitute light on" and sometimes I get a readout that both "left & right substitute light on" will be displayed. Running lights never light. Could it be the head light switch? Car has 50,000 K
#16 of 23
Now more then minor problems by ctdan
Nov 18, 2008 (7:27 am)
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My post from 11/10 listed some minor problems which were "fixed" by replacing a few sensors, now a week later it looks like I am now in the club of the low voltage, power drain. When I went out to the car yesterday morning there was a constant beeping with a message on the dash saying something to the effect of "return to workshop, do not put in gear". When I put the key in, the car started sluggishly (low power) and then starting with all sorts of flashing waring lights. Also oddly the wipers went on by themselves - although they were in the off position. The car would not go into gear, either fwd or reverse. Called the dealer, they dispatched a tow truck to bring my R350 back to the svc dept. Not a good feeling watching a 2008 that was a few months old being hauled out on a flatbed.
 
The dealer told me that there were too many codes coming up to clearly identify the source of the problem, but they did isolate the fact that underlying issue was low voltage. They initially replaced the battery and ran some overnight diagnostics to check the battery drain in the morning. This morning they told me that there is definitely a drain coming from somewhere, but not sure of primary source. They think it may be coming from the fuel pump since my last gas gauge issue identified in my 11/10 post. I find it interesting though that last week that was nothing to worry about and now they think it is the cause of the problem.
 
After reading some of the other posts I do not get a level of comfort that they will be able to isolate and fix this issue as clearly there seems to be some kind of MB mfg default with no known resolution.
 
Has anyone that has experienced this low voltage/electrical problem been supplied with an actual resolution, other then a new vehicle?
#17 of 23
Re: Now more then minor problems [ctdan] by lcjd
Nov 18, 2008 (9:51 am)
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Replying to: ctdan (Nov 18, 2008 7:27 am)

MB replaced our steering control unit 7 months ago and ,knock on wood, it seems to have resolved our battery drain issue. Make sure the steering control unit is from a previous year, though. Not a 2008.
 
I agree, watching the flatbed tow our 2008 - 3 times!- was no fun!
#18 of 23
Re: Now more then minor problems [lcjd] by ctdan
Nov 18, 2008 (10:23 am)
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Replying to: lcjd (Nov 18, 2008 9:51 am)

Thanks for the response lcjd.
 
Interesting, my dealer never mentioned a steering control unit as a potential problem. What he did tell me though when I my car was dropped off yesterday with this low voltage issue is that he had another R350 in the shop w/a similar problem.
#19 of 23
Low Voltage problem update by ctdan
Nov 18, 2008 (1:59 pm)
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Just had an update from my Svc Tech and he confirmed that they found the source of the problem and it is the ISM Motor of the Control Unit.
 
A quick google of "MB ISM Motor" revealed the exact same problem resulting in the “DRIVE DIRECTLY TO GARAGE WITHOUT CHANGING GEAR” message that I received.
 
They told me that basically what happened is that the ISM Motor is defective - this is the part that controls the paddle to shift from park to drive & reverse. The faulty ISM was preventing the car from shifting gears, hence the message above about driving without changing gears (a physical impossibility, but let's not split hairs). The drain came from the fact that problem with the ISM Motor prevented the car from recognizing that it was in park and therefore resulted in the repeated beeping and the dome light to be illuminated with no way to shut either off - causing the battery to drain.
 
He is replacing the ISM Motor tomorrow, hopefully that will do the trick. I'll post an update if it worked... or didn't.
#20 of 23
Sunroof glitches and other problems by diecastaussie
Nov 23, 2008 (11:38 pm)
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I'm from Australia and this is my first post - I have a 2006 R350 which I purchased 7 months ago from a Mercedes Benz dealer. It is a 6 seater with "touring pack" which means that it has the removable console in between the 2nd row seats. I love the car, it has a couple of very annoying electrical bugs - thankfully not the battery draining issues that I have read about elsewhere on this forum. Firstly the 1 touch auto close on the sunroof doesn't work. When I use this feature the roof almost closes the reverses to a half open position. If I touch the button again it will then close fully. It will also close fully if I hold the button or if I use the key fob from outside the vehicle. So far the dealer has replace the wind deflector and the control module but the fault persists, the dealer is now saying that the rails may be warped and wants to changeover the entire sunroof cassette. Anyone else experienced this problem?
Secondly, the auto light switch appears to have a mind of its own, sometimes turning the headlights on in the middle of the day in bright sunlight or refusing to turn the lights on at dusk or in low light conditions such as very heavy rain. The dealer has replaced the optical sensor but the fault persists.
Finally, the front parking sensors seem to go crazy on hot days often emitting continuous tone and full led signal for several minutes for no apparent reason. This only affects the righthand side of the vehicle. Dealer says he cannot duplicate the problem.
I would very much appreciate any advice or information regarding these annoying faults which spoil an otherwise excellent vehicle.
#21 of 23
Dang was hoping that the 08's were better! by watkinst
Dec 18, 2008 (11:36 am)
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Looking at 08 Rclass CDI's - anyone with the CDI 08 experiencing these issues? Guessing its all the same stuff just a different engine
#22 of 23
Re: Lighting problems [james3686] by StarTraveler
Jan 15, 2009 (12:38 am)
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Replying to: james3686 (Nov 16, 2008 2:10 pm)

Hi James,
Did you ever find out what was going on with your tail lights? My R500 does the same thing. Also my horn has gone out. I'd feel silly if I took it in and someone tightened one screw and charged me $300. I'd love to know what was done to fix it.
 
Thanks! Don
#23 of 23
Re: Lighting problems [StarTraveler] by james3686
Jan 15, 2009 (4:46 am)
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Replying to: StarTraveler (Jan 15, 2009 12:38 am)

Don
 
  Took the car to the local Benz dealer, they were kind enough to fix it free of charge, to me that's indication that they were having problems on many of the cars. If I understand the fix, it has something to do with the light socket making contact to the tail light housing, or lack of making contact. 50,000.00 miles seems to be the magic number, under that and they make a free fix. Spoke with another R350 owner that had the same problem with the tail lights. Can't help you with the horn problem. Hope this is of some help. Take care & travel safe

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