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What's up with My SLK?

5K views 27 replies 12 participants last post by  UK-C200 
#1 ·
Greetings from Phoenix!

On Monday I found a 98 230 SLK in someone's backyard. The front end had been disassembled so it could be painted. The parts were all there in a pile. (Radiator, Condenser, Headlights, fog lights, grill)

The owner wanted it gone. We made a deal and I towed the car home.

It turns out the car has low miles and a long service history at the dealer. (from the origional owner, not the guy I bought it from)

I figure it will only take me 1/2 a day to put the parts back together, yet the gentleman sold me the car at a discount. This leads me to believe the car probably has bigger problems then just needing to be put back together. (Like he couldn't get it started)

The first problem I noticed was the alarm doesn't shut off. I think it is PSE related. To read more about the problem, you can click here for a separate post. PSE PROBLEM

I also want to drain the gas before I try to start it. The gauge reads empty. How can I tell if the gauge works?

Does anyone have a picture of the Key Fob?

I am sure you will be hearing from me in the future. Let me THANK YOU In advance for any help you can offer me.

Daryl
 
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#5 ·
WOO WHO! I had a VERY successful day! My friend and I were able to put the parts back into the car (Radiator, Condensor, grill, and lights) As expected it only took an hour or so. I was very grateful they were still good, and there were no leaks. (In the radiator and hoses at least) We siphoned out 4 gallons of gas, and replaced it with 4 new gallons. I replaced 1/2 a dozen fuses and got the car to start. Ir runs a little rough, but it runs. I am VERY happy.

Not all is good though.
The downside is I can't take it out of park, because that turns on the reverse lights which sets the alarm off. I also can't lower my windows or lower the top. I couldn't find a fuse for that, so I am blaming the PSE.

I also found out the there is a whole in the top of the turbo (Where the two hoses feel into it) I ordered a replacement part from the dealer, but it won't be in until Tueday.

Still it was a productive day, and I hope I can get the car on the road this next week.
 
#6 ·
Glad things are getting sorted out - one by one.
 
#7 ·
Another day, another update.

I took out my PSE and drove the car around the block. It turns out that if you remove the PSE you disable the alarm. I didn't go much faster than 30 Miles an hour, but at least I know the car drives and shifts between first and second. This is a big relief.

I think I found most of my wire breaks because the fuses all seem to be holding. The last electrical mystery I have is why does my turn signal fuse keep blowing?

I tried to test my PSE in my sister's 2001 C320, but alas the PSE in her car is not located in the trunk. (Or at least it was not readily accessible) The good news is that Mercedes must have learned their lesson and put it someplace not as moisture prone.

Right now my punch list is down to five things.

1. PSE
2. Why won't my windows go Down?
3. Why won't my top go down? (or even light up the switch)
4. Why does my "turn signal light" fuse keep blowing?
5. Why don't my flasher lights work?

I am hoping that if I replace the PSE most of the problems will go away, but that is more hope than fact.
 
#9 ·
Ok, here is my latest discovery. My turn signals won't blink, and my hazards won't flash. Every time I try to use them the fuses blow.

I found out that there is a Module that controls the turn signals. I believe it is called the Central Control Module or CCM.

I unplugged the CCM and the fuses didn't blow.

With that knowledge I pulled the CCM and opened it up.

It turns out one of the chips had split in two

I took a picture just for the fun of it. You can see the split chip to the right of the first copper coil.



So, I'm off to find a new CCM
 
#10 ·
Very good investigation skills Daryl :tu:
 
#13 ·
Well, I had an electronics guy replace the chip. Alas that did not resolve my issue, fuses still blow. He thinks that perhaps someone tried to jump start the car, but reversed the polarity on the jump box. The chip that was bad regulates the flow of electricity, allowing it to flow only one way on a circuit.

I ordered a "new to me" ccm out of Virginia. If they send it out today, maybe I'll have it by next wednesday. :-(
 
#15 ·
Do you have a service manual. I don't meen the chilton from Pep-Tards....I meen the actual MB service manual. If you don't, get one. It will help you dramatically. Alot of the sytems you are trying to work the bugs out, intertwine in there operations. IE..the body module works with the engine module and the transmission module and so forth. When I first started working for MB awhile back, I learned this from a great Tech at Brumos. He was incredible at his electronics diagnostics. But you go, I always say there aint nothing built that can't be fixed. It only takes time and money, and moneys like Doritos...well make more.

:rb
 
#18 ·
What's up with my SLK - Revised

So, I got a new2me CCM and a new PSE. I installed both of them, and VOILA! Just about everything works. I am quite happy. Personally I think the CCM was not telling the PSE to work, but since I ordered and paid for a PSE, I installed it. I have a few more little things to do. (Install a new antenna, hood switch, change the Drier/Air Filter/Cabin Filter, Fluid Change, etc) but for the most part my project is finished. I have been driving it the past couple days, and it is FUN.

All in all, other than the uncertainty, it wasn't a bad project at all.

Most of the parts I needed were in the trunk of the car. I had to replace the top part of the supercharger (And drill a new tube hole, since the OEM from the dealer doesn't come with one) I had to install a new battery, but most of all my issues tied to the CCM. I had to go to the salvage yard and find a few connectors that were missing, but they seem to be all hella/Bosch parts so that wasn't too big of a deal.

Thanks to all of you who helped with your input. SPECIAL THANKS TO BAZZLE (I'm gonna miss you man) and LiveFreeorDie for going that second mile. The most generous person I have ever met on the internet is MRM1955. He offered to send me a part I need for the cost of shipping. THANKS MAN!

I of course am not going anywhere, but am putting a bow on the "Project" part of the car, and switching to the Routine Maintenance mind set.
 
#19 ·
Congratulations Daryl.
 
#20 ·
darryl thanx for this informative post. ii am thinking of trying something of this nature myself and am glad to see you dont have to buy a pristine slk to have a smile you need a hammer to remove!!
do you have fotos of your rebuild? also were did you find the parts you needed? i have googled parts searches but most just have the small stuff
 
#21 ·
I was fortunate that most of the parts I needed came with the car. It was mostly a re-assemble project. There are a couple of Mercedes Salvage yards in my town that had an SLK, however they did not have the parts I needed. After reading a post , I went to www.getparts.us and found the cheapest price on the parts I needed. I ended up using: M and M Auto Parts, Inc.VA(Stafford)
1-800-586-5492 1-540-659-2023

Other than I bought parts from them, I do not know these people.
 
#26 ·
great work on putting everything together and nice piccies :tu:
 
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