I have a 2005 Crossfire SRT6. I had been having some brake issues, seemed spongy, and took it to the only place in the local area (Little Rock, AR) that will work on them and they replaced the master cylinder and bled the brakes. They had a great deal of trouble finding the part. Within a month or so the problem had returned. I had gotten use to the brakes and the way they felt but some members of the family, thinking I was going to get killed, insisted on taking it back to the mechanic. Took it back last week and they said that the ABS system "brain" was faulty. The car has brakes but the brain was confused and they felt funny. The tech said he had tried everything to find a replacement part and could not. Yesterday, driving home from the mechanic, there is obviously a major software problem. The car will not shift out of first gear, the odometer and speedometer do not work, and every trouble light on the console is lit up. I am pretty sure that if I call the mechanic, he is going to tell me that there is no way he can find any parts. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone would have.

Thanks, John Lewis

 

Mechanical parts wise you are driving a 2003 Mercedese SLK 320 and mechanic wise you should go to an Independant repair shop that works on Mercedese cars,

 

Thanks for the info. I will give that a try.

John

 

WRONG, this is not software. This is a lack of 12 volt power to the ABS module. Your Traction Control relay output has failed. The ABS system is dead because it as no power. The ABS system drives the speedo and odometer as well as sends data to the TCM to operate the transmission and the IC drives those lights on the panel based on status of the ABS module.

A new RCM will fix this, if the RCM is the problem. (That is, if its not in the connectors between ECU/RCM/ABS/TCM because your "mechanic" fouled the car up.) Yank the RCM and make sure all fuses are good. If they are, I'd pop a new RCM in at a cost of about $180. YOu can change the RCM yourself WITHOUT TOOLS, it plugs in, simple as that.

https://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/20...rol_relay.html

 

On second thought, I bet the 'Mechanic" fouled the connector to the new ABS module. Sadly, the ABS module was never at fault, as your original complaint of "spongy" is not an ABS module issue, it's a mechanical issue with the master cylinder, fluid or wheel cylinder.

Who knows what they did, if the speedo worked at first and died as you drove, maybe the RCM has failed (it happens a LOT) or maybe the connector on the ABS module was not seated properly when they worked on it - easy fix, I would think. BUt make sure you take it back to the same shop, no one can REALLY mess this up like they can.

 

Thank you very much for your replies. Where do you recommend I try to find the parts you mentioned? The guy I took it to keeps saying that he cannot find any parts. I appreciate your help.

Thanks, John

 

Johnat4mc,
Post #2 tells you to look up part numbers as 2003 SLK 320.
Post #4 Has an actual link for the RCM.
Most of the parts for our cars are very easy to find.
Rob at needswings.com is a great source for parts. He specializes in our cars.

 

I gave you a link to the RCM in my post. Parts are easy to find unless they are body parts, you cant get those other than from a salvage yard. Engine/transmissions/chassis parts are found by searching for "Mercedes 2003 SLK320 <insert part here>".
If your car is an SRT, then "Mercedes 2003 SLK32 <insert part here>".

AS Wad has said, needswings.com (Rob) is a great guy to go to. He is about the ONLY guy you can admit it's for a Crossfire, everywhere else, you better claim it's an SLK320 because "Crossfire parts" don't exist in the computer parts tables of your local parts store (and even a lot of online stores).

 

You OWE IT TO YOURSELF to join us and learn about your car from those who know the car:
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...-2023-a-2.html <------------ That is a link, click it.

We do more than drive around Eureka Springs - we also set aside a day or part of a day to work on/learn about the cars. The planning committee is still working on this years' agenda.
Looks like two shorter tech sessions instead of the full day of tech work we did last year. But who knows.........................

 

and just my opinion but when I hear ". The car will not shift out of first gear, the odometer and speedometer do not work, and every trouble light on the console is lit up." it is almost always a grounding or wiring issue. OTOH "never say never"....

 

Thanks for all your help. Sorry I didn't catch that you had already given me the links for parts etc. Will have to try to make the Eureka Springs event sometime. We also have a place in Branson so that would be close.

John

 

BTW "and every trouble light on the console is lit up." is called "the Christmas Tree effect". There was a Jeep recall to fix bad grounds.

 

here is the actual legit Mercedes updated RCM
https://www.needswings.com/relay-control-module

i believe i found you the ABS computer as well but will need your VIN to verify, email it to me at rob@needswings.com

 

How is it updated? The design is the same. It is either made in Germany or Hungary and the fuses are different. The solder joints are still an issue even with new ones.

 

Not MY new one. I have one for an SLK230 and they changed the design. The "vertical" board is attached/soldered to the main board as a "Unified" assembly. Way tougher than the original weak-assed design.

But not ALL replacement RCMs are built this way, at meets, we've compared them. So, order what I did (not sure I still have the receipt) or follow Rob's advice.

WHY do people doubt the most well-known longstanding expert? (That is, ROB not ME!)

 

Book the trip now, you obviously need to get up to speed on the car - and it really IS the best of the meets - and I've been to ES, the Dragon, The Snake, Woodward and Savanna.
Also, some of us meet in Branson the weekend before for two nights - just sayin'. We get rooms at a resort there (kinda expensive but it's only a few of us) if you are local, you have it made.

 

I am doubting him because the design by the factory part by Mercedes was not changed only the fuses are not the same exact color. Solder joint issues are still the same with new ones. That is the one he is selling.

The RCM you bought is an aftermarket one so they can design it any way they want!

 

Well this is the RCM in my spares box. Do not remember where I bought it.

 

That's a genuine Mercedes RCM. For the record Tighe is the RCM expert not Rob!!!!! He is the one that says he can't do much to repair the aftermarket RCM except the relays.