1999 CLK 430 CRAZY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS!!!!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BigRed0803 · #1 01-17-2012, 02:15 PM

My car has a mind of its own and here lately it is very tempremental. One out of 10-15 times it works the rest it doesnt. Both of the windows won't roll down, both seat switches don't work at all, both seat heaters, sunroof, trunk switch and side mirror switch. Every once in a while everything will come back to life and start working like it should, then next time you try, everything is down again and stays that way for quite a while. I feel like it must be some sort of relay or control module since so many things are being affected. Anyone heard or know about this kind of situation? Thanks for your help. Some one told me that it could be the SAM? Any ideas

BENZ TEK · #2 01-17-2012, 02:28 PM

Im thinking Sam as well. Usually due to water intrusion!

BigRed0803 · #3 01-17-2012, 02:34 PM

I forgot to mention horn and turnsignals don't work either when this happens. The only thing that seems to work at all times are the lights and blower motor(climate control). Are the SAM's plug and play or do you have to have dealer reset?

BigRed0803 · #4 01-17-2012, 04:59 PM

Update: Replaced SAM, took car to a somewhat friend at Mercedes dealer. He tried to reset SAM and said the system wouldn't connect with it?????????? He gave me a printout of the filter status on all control units as follows: These are what he could connect with.

ETC- Electronic Transmission Control
ME2-SFI- Motor Electronics 2
ESP-Electronic Stability Program
EZS-Electronic Ignition Switch
ICM-Instrument Cluster w/ maintainence interval display
Audio
AAC-Automatic Air Conditioning
Battery Voltage 12.02volts

The following are the control units he couldn't connect to and so happen to be everything that doesn't work when my car acts up.

BAS- Brake Assist
AB- Airbag
OCP- Overhead Control Panel
PSE-Pneumatic System Equipment
SAM- Signal Acquistion Module
LCP- Lower Control Panel
DCM1- Door Control Module drivers side
DCM2- Door Control Module passenger side

Any idea's on what all these parts have in common?

BENZ TEK · #5 01-18-2012, 06:33 AM

Sounds like water has gotten in the car. If you could get your hands on a wiring diagram that would be most helpful as you could see how all of the items are connected.

Hirnbeiss · #6 01-18-2012, 07:42 AM

All of your convenience modules are connected to the CAN bus, and a fault on any one of them can disrupt all of them. First check for water or sogginess around the PSE. If dry, then isolate which module is defective by disconnecting one at a time and then disconnectting the battery for 2 minutes before reconnecting. On the W210, the rt rear window module is a frequent culprit.

BigRed0803 · #7 01-18-2012, 05:48 PM

The PSE your refering to is in the trunk on the passenger side? I pulled it, I was expecting it to be in the lower section of the trunk since you were refering to it being wet, it was in the side of the trunk, it wasn't wet or soggy. Could it still be bad. I am just starting to check the modules like you advised, I know where the door control modules are on either door, and the SAM, do you know what I should try unplugging for the BAS or Overhead control panel or lower contol panel not real sure about that. I am starting with the drivers door control module, I noticed that the two bigger plugs in the module had decent amount of corroision on them the same color you see on posititve battery cables sometimes.

Hirnbeiss · #8 01-18-2012, 06:30 PM

On the 210, the PSE is located next to the battery under the seat and can get wet. On yours, the good news is that the PSE probably isn't your problem.
If you look on page 47 of this http://www.mercedestechstore.com/pdfs/507%20Systems%20I/507%20HO%20CAN%20B%20(ICC)%2010-28-02.pdf
you'll see the CAN-bus junction located under the doorsill at the A-pillar (well concealed under a spaghetti pile of wires). I troubleshot my gremlin by disconnecting these one at a time, disconnecting and reconnecting the battery each time, until my problem was isolated to the rear door module.
I had to drive around a few days after each node-pull, since it took awhile for the gremlin to propagate.
No idea if this is risky, but I don't think so - do at your own risk. For me it was better than paying a dealer for questionable results (like you got).
Note that the LCP is the window button switch assembly, which I have heard is another frequent culprit.

Gilly · #9 01-19-2012, 04:47 AM

Just ask for a normal quick test of the system and see what you have for codes, I am betting that it has a lot of CAN-related codes as well.

BigRed0803 · #10 01-19-2012, 02:17 PM

I took your advise and unplugged the driver's door control module and reset the battery and everything started working perfectly. It has been working much longer now than it ever has. I ordered a new module today and will install when it comes in. Thanks alot for all your help, blows my mind how that module on one door can cause all the problems with almost every piece of electronic equipment on my car, but with the CAN wiring I understand they are all linked together. Thanks for your help.

Hirnbeiss · #11 01-19-2012, 03:55 PM

OK, let's hope that was it. For me, all would work fine for a few days after each battery reset, but then the symptoms reappeared (until I disconnected the correct one, of course).

Kellyflygal · #12 01-31-2012, 04:08 PM

Hey guys, I got a few electrical problems on my '99 CLK Cabrio. The BAS/ASR light is on, the cruise does not work and I also have gas gauge issues and the AC will only work if I turn key on then off then on again. I then press the EC button and it works fine. Any clues? Thanks!

Gilly · #13 01-31-2012, 07:28 PM

Start your own thread instead of tagging on to this one.

wrbrett2004 · #14 03-23-2015, 08:20 AM

I'm having the same issues with my 1999 CLK 430 I have checked the Driver door control module, Canbus, and SAMs is there you would recommend to check that links all these parts?

PDM · #15 08-23-2016, 08:43 AM

I'm a newbie here. So, help me out. I found your thread by searching on the web for electrical/electronic problems like the one I'm having.
My 1999 CLK430 climate control simply went dead the other day. It's very hot here. So, the A/C was necessary. The display on the climate control went blank (and apparently "off") at the same time. It seemed that defroster buttons would work. But no other buttons would have any effect.
The only thing that worked was the defroster was on high heat!
The next day, I started the car and everything worked perfectly for about 5-10 minutes. Then, the same.
So, this pattern continued until today.
It makes me think there may be some basic problem with the A/C system...like maybe a pressure switch or a response to an imbalance in the system or something. Well, I probably know just enough to get me in trouble. Help?