My "SRS" light has come on; as a result, I took my 1993 500E to my tech, at the dealership's service center (in SF).

To my dismay, the shop foreman's laptop computer + transceiver unit diagnostic tool indicated that there communication
between my base control module and the crash sensor (OEM part # 000-820-69-26) cannot be established. I have unseated,
cleaned, and reseated the cable (under/behind the radio/front ash-tray) with zero success.

Seeing as the crash sensor/control module unit lists for $1500.00 (!!!), I am a bit "over the barrel," as it were.

Any ideas/alternatives?

(*sigh*)

Scott, Wow lots of problems today. I hope that I can give you some assistance.

SRS light- in the past, the battery wasn't working properly (it was almost dead). I am not sure if you have a stereo or not, but you may want to try an optima starting battery, unless you have a stereo, then a deep cycle would be great. You can have sears load test your battery, but dont buy their batteries, but a mercedes one or an optima.

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

My (OEM Mercedes-Benz) battery is approximtely 6 months old...

Again, there is ZERO communication between my interior (crash sensor) control module and the base control module; my base control module is fine and has no blown or missing fuses.

I wonder if all of my electrical issues are related...

What happened in the last 48 hours? Anything happen with your car?

__________________
Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Nothing whatsoever.

Scott:

When I purchased my 500 and drove it from Dallas to California, the SRS light would come on sporatically. Interesting that when I would stop for gas or food, it wouldn't come on for about a hour or so.

The light came on again when I drove to the Bay Area via Interstate 5 (long straight road). It hasn't come on since that trip (~4 months ago). It did not come on, to or from, this last GTG.

I did some research via this Board and some people say it's a sensor in the steering wheel. Interesting. The roads that my light came on where basically straight roads - no turning of the steering wheel. I can't remember if it is a resistance issue or not on a connector - need to revisit those threads.

Good luck.

__________________
1992 500E (Daily Driver)
2004 Porsche RUF 955 Dakara 550

By reading other posts, when a car has an illuminated SRS light, 98% of the time the problem is the switch in the seatbelt latch.

The other 2% of the time, the problem is the contact ring in the steering wheel. 1994 and later cars do not have a contact ring, but since yours is a 1993, it does.

I don't know if either would cause a lack of communication to the base module, but I would investigate the other two issues first.

I know for a fact that they do not cost $1,500.00!!!!

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

When I bought my 190e 10 years ago it had the SRS light on all the time. It was the computer ($1000 at the time). I complained and Mercedes replaced it gratis. I suspect you have the same problem. A fair amount of time after it was replaced I would get intermitents while on a long trip as described above. Those I was told were due to the steering contact brushes.

To tell you the truth, I hadn't given it much thought. I always assumed they meant the latch in the lap / transmission tunnel area...

As far as pricing, I was referring to the fact that the switch in the seat belt latch and the steering wheel contact ring are not expensive items. They do not cost $1,500 like the crash sensor / control module....

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

That's weird.

Our posts are out of sequence.

My answer to your question ended up being posted before yours...

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

There it goes again. My posts are still landing before yours, even though I am responding to your post.

Go figure...

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Paul,

Can you be more specific, please?

Are you referring to the seatbelt latch in the seatbelt (vertical) pillar - or in the lap/transmission-tunnel area?

Unfortunately, the crash-sensor replacement price I was quoted from direct from the dealership (MBZ of Oakland).

RSVP / thank you,