revisiting infrared remote system malfunction

[LeaUK]

Update

Replaced both door receivers yesterday; well, if you're replacing one you might as well do both. And what a difference! The range has doubled maybe almost trebled and of course I haven't had any intermittent problems - yet!!

So - although expensive, so far, it looks good.

BTW - the Barrels+IR receivers (all one unit), when ordered from MB, arrived fully matching my car so no need for different keys

One annoying problem down - only three to go!!!!!!

[Momo]

So, how much did that set you back?

Momo

[Gilly]

I should have mentioned about the lock cylinders being vehicle specific, but the electronic part itself is "generic".

Gilly

[LeaUK]

Momo

170GPB each including our tax which is currently 17.5%. 145GBP without tax.

Expensive, but not only has it resolved my intermittent 'night time only' IR issues, I have nearly three times the working distance AND, locking barrels that make the car 'feel' brand new

[kknudson]

Learoy, it's a shame the barrels are one piece. Yours with the sensors going bad, mine with the LEDs failing.

I've lost the red LED on the passenger, and Trunk. Was about to ask Phil about getting new, when I read this thread.

I'd surely have been willing to help defray your costs, and hopefully help me too.

Bummer.

[LeaUK]

Sorry not sure what you mean to be honest..

However, if the potting compond could be removed then I could easily mend these units - so if anyone here is a chemist and knows how to break down this compound without damaging the IR/Red and Green front lens then please let me know.

[kknudson]

Learoy I'd have offered to buy the units from you.

But if all pieces are in one module, red/sensor/green, and you sensors have problems it doesn't do me any good.

I am going to check the wiring some time, maybe (I doubt it) there is a wiring problem. This car has had a couple of minor electrical problems.

[LeaUK]

Check the contact pins on the module first then the sockets. I too doubt you have a wiring fault.

LEDs have massive life expectancy and so I also doubt these have failed, especially 2!

Lea

[tecqboy]

I also would recommend cleaning the contacts with a good quality electronic contact cleaner. Corrosion at the contacts can be a problem. LED's rarely fail. You need to determine if power is getting to the modules from the conroller. Sometimes just disconnecting and then re-conecting a plug / socket will get things going.

[kknudson]

Yea, I figure the LEDs are pretty long lasting, and would have started at the unit and worked my way back.

Unfortunately for either option, "I ain't got the time anywho".

I've got 3 big projects on the SL, and a couple of mediums. And work is consuming massive hours and energy.

Projects
Climate Control
Replace Trim piece over interior Mirror
Soft Top fold repair
Full "Detailing" the skirts, I recently did a super detail on the metal. WOW.
Clean Wheels and cleaning the wells
Misc stuff
And continuing the cleaning

[LeaUK]

The IR modules take no longer than 2 minutes each to remove - when you know how! But seems like you got plenty of detailing to go yet

Originally posted by kknudson
Yea, I figure the LEDs are pretty long lasting, and would have started at the unit and worked my way back.

Unfortunately for either option, "I ain't got the time anywho".

I've got 3 big projects on the SL, and a couple of mediums. And work is consuming massive hours and energy.

Projects
Climate Control
Replace Trim piece over interior Mirror
Soft Top fold repair
Full "Detailing" the skirts, I recently did a super detail on the metal. WOW.
Clean Wheels and cleaning the wells
Misc stuff
And continuing the cleaning

what did you use for cleaing the metal?

[kknudson]

Sleeper --- Funny Guy.
OK the painted metal surfaces, as oppsed to the plastic skirts.

But the car looks unbelievable.



Learoy do the recievers pop out from the outside ???

I can't figure out how to do it in 2 minutes otherwise.

[LeaUK]

Yes

Open the door and pull the rubber gasket out a little just below the handle. You will see a small hole appear. Place a 4mm allen key in the hole and unscrew. Don't worry, the screw will not fall into the door! Turn a key in the lock cylinder approx 90degs and pull out the lock cylinder out by wiggling a little.

Mine were a little stiff at first and needed gentle persuasion - I think I used a simultaneous movement to the left or right too.

They'll pop out after a fashion. Of course once you've done one the other is a piece of cake

BTW - I found out the correct procedure after spending two hours stripping the inner door down a trying to workout how the **** these come out from the inside

Lea

[kknudson]

WOW thanks Learoy, saves me a lot of time and trouble.


Except I have to find a 4mm Allen wrench, you know us Americans :-}


PS thats why I started the thread about the Service DVD, I had hoped that stuff like that would have been in there.