Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-01-2003, 01:47 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Oakland, CA USA
Posts: 221
The mystery box under my ashtray

The other day I had to replace a seat heater switch in my 1987 560SEL. As many of you know, this involves removing the ashtray and the black thingy which holds the horn switch and seat heater buttons. Out of curiosity I lifted the insulation which was now exposed under the ashtray and found a box that said (in four different languages) "Warning! Do Not Remove". Needless to say, I did not remove the box, however, because of the multilingual warning I am very curious as to what it could be. Anyone know?? Is it a doomsday device?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-01-2003, 02:00 AM
sixto's Avatar
smoke gets in your eyes
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Eastern TN
Posts: 20,841
Probably part of the airbag system.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-01-2003, 08:12 AM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Tucker, Ga USA
Posts: 12,153
Yes that is a "doomsday" device, IF you need that box, then your car is in a bad wreck & the air bag has hit you in the face.

That is the control module/crash sensor for the SRS system.
__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Last edited by mbdoc; 08-01-2003 at 12:05 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-01-2003, 08:23 AM
Gilly's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Evansville WI
Posts: 9,616
It's actually the control module for the SRS (Airbag) system, but the sensor is integrated into the control module. It only has that one crash sensor.

Gilly
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-01-2003, 08:34 AM
I told you so!
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motor City, MI
Posts: 2,853
Gilly, are you sure that's the only sensor? If so, it's a poor design! Most cars have sensors located near the front of the car. SRS design engineers are always looking for ways how to sense an impending collision as soon as possible. The latest technology is looking for a way to incorporate forward radar sensors to the SRS systems. The idea is to set off the air bags even before there's contact between the two cars.
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-01-2003, 11:02 AM
UK 2.3-16v
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I'd have thought setting the airbags off before the cars make contact would be a shade daft - you'd surely run the risk eating canvas if someone carved you up on the motorway?

As I understand it, it takes a very specific type of impact to actually deploy the airbags - I know someone who put a modern Jaguar saloon through a motorway metal crash barrier head-on, then rolled some 6 times before hitting a tree and NONE of the airbags deployed... The police crash investigation team said to him that it's surprising what it takes to actually set the things off.

Credit to Jaguar - he had both right hand tyres blow out at over 100mph, and the police estimated he hit the barrier, more or less head on at about 90mph - the car ended up unrecognisable... and he walked away with a broken wrist and concussion.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-01-2003, 11:59 AM
I told you so!
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Motor City, MI
Posts: 2,853
Quote:
Originally posted by UK 2.3-16v
I'd have thought setting the airbags off before the cars make contact would be a shade daft - you'd surely run the risk eating canvas if someone carved you up on the motorway?
Yes, now you're thinking like a design engineer. It's problems like these that keep these ideas from market. These unique scenarios need to be addressed before something like radar collision avoidance and radar SRS deployment can be put on cars. This idea is still being worked on.
__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 08-01-2003, 08:58 PM
Gilly's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Evansville WI
Posts: 9,616
I believe the 2003 E Class (W211 chassis) is the FIRST MB to have front mounted crash detection sensors, out on the radiator support. This was found neccesary due to the efficiency of the crumple zone, the deceleration in the cabin has slowed to the point of making this relocation neccesary. Up until then, the sensor in the cabin was "fast" enough to deploy the airbags in time.

At least with the older system (sensor integrated into the module)
you don't need to worry about the wiring.

Gilly

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:29 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page