Well, I have a new problem with my 1998 C230. My drivers side power window won't operate. But, if I disconect the battery it re-sets something and I get 5 to 10 operations before it quits again. Has this happened to anyone else? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Matt

When it quits, do you have power in the wiring harness to the motor? The window switch?

Tim

The 1998 & later C-class have an interior CAN(computer) network. Each door has a control module! ON the rear the module is part of the window motor! Even the window switch is a computer!

THEY can be a problem to diagnose as one of the working modules can cause others on the network to go down! SCAN the system as upto 10 computers share that interior network!

__________________
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

Up to 10 computers? Who would think power windows would require so much technology (sarcasm). These things must be murder to troubleshoot for the pros. My local dealer told me today that there is "an intermitent signal problem with the control module." I am getting tired of emptying my wallet at the dealer. My intention now is to attempt to bypass the technology. I intend to find a hot wire at the fuse box, and use a switch out of an older car. DOes anyone know if this will cause me any unforseen trouble?

As allways, many thanks.

Matt

OF course trying to do that willl be next to impossible!! There isn't any wiring to support direct operation of that system.
EVEN the 1994-97 cars used a computer to operate the windows!

__________________
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

At this point, that does'nt surprise me. Thanks for the heads up, probably saved me an afternoon of frustration. Any sugestions on what I should do next?

Matt

I am having the same exact issue with my car. I believe that the driver's side module needs to be changed. I would appreciate any information on which part and where to buy it from.

Thank you very much!

Have you confirmed that the problem is ONLY with the drivers window and all other windows and seats still operate?

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

That's where the problems started. Also, the first time the MB tech had reset the drivers window and that fixed the problem for a couple of days. If it's expensive, then I might need to take the car somewhere to check the codes again and find exactly which one to replace. In any case, its good to know approx. how much those things cost.

AS I posted 2 years ago.....the most likely cause is NOT the window that isn't working! Most likely one of the rear door modules causing the front one(s) not to operate..

A good tech can do voltage checks at the CAN connector to find the culprit.

__________________
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

Hi M.B.DOC, thanks for helping out, where are the door modules located?

I just called the dealership and asked to get pricing for the modules (I thought that they were located in each door) and didn't know what I was talking about. They told me that it's either the switch or the motor! I figured I can try to replace them if they are cheap.

Can you provide some information on how to troubleshoot it? I am an electrical engineer, I should be able to do it if I know what I should be looking for.

Thank you very much!

Sometimes, diagnosing interior CAN problems can be simple. I've seen many cases where just an SDS "Quick-Test" reveals the culprit. Since the control units on the interior CAN network often rely on data from other control units, you may find several control units reporting communication problems with a specific unit. For example, if the seat, climate control, and domelamp control units all report communication faults with the right rear door control module, it's a safe bet that you've found the problem.

As far as the dealer goes, only a small percentage of technicians are really good at diagnosing CAN problems. If you go that route, let your SA know you need an "A" tech, not the alignment guy.

Hi ILUVMILS

can you please enlighten me on what is "CAN" and "SDS", where are located and how can I can test them?

Thanks!

I am now having trouble with my rear door window (drivers side). This is on my 98 C230. It will no go down. No matter which switch I use, switch on door or switch on drivers console, it does not go down. Any tribal knowledge on this is appreciated.

Mike

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

I would like this information also. There seems to be allot of talk on this board about testing the CAN system, but I cannot find any specifics on how to do it.

__________________
1995 E300 Diesel
1994 E320
1999 C230K
1994 S500 W140
1990 300 SEL