-15 and now nothing works! (W220)

midlife · 09-02-2009, 02:57 PM

I stay on the outskirts of Aberdeen and it has been so cold the last two days (-15 in some cases). Since then the central locking has stopped working, the soft closure doors are not working and the boot (trunk) release won't open. The boot won't even open manually as it feels locked.
Can anyone tell me if all of these faults are related could this just be down to the cold or does it sound like some fuses have gone. I think the fuse for the central locking is under the rear seat so any advice on how you get the rear seat out would be appreciated

Cheers

verytalldave · 09-02-2009, 03:13 PM

While -15 is damn cold I admit, its nothing when compared to north Scandinavia and Canada/Alaska where -25 is common. And I would guess cars there still function as they should.
So I would guess its something other than temperature related.
But that is just a guess. I would ask other owners of similar vehicles in your immediate vicinity whether they have experienced similar problems, and then go from there with that knowledge.
It can sometimes be very difficult to pin down a fault to a specific reason.

SilverSaloon · 09-02-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlife

I stay on the outskirts of Aberdeen and it has been so cold the last two days (-15 in some cases). Since then the central locking has stopped working, the soft closure doors are not working and the boot (trunk) release won't open. The boot won't even open manually as it feels locked.
Can anyone tell me if all of these faults are related could this just be down to the cold or does it sound like some fuses have gone. I think the fuse for the central locking is under the rear seat so any advice on how you get the rear seat out would be appreciated

Cheers

sounds like a fuse to me.... have a look in the handbook where the main fusebox is. i doubt its under the seats...

grober · 09-02-2009, 07:24 PM

Can you get into the car to start it? -15C will finish off any battery that's on its last legs anyway. Does your car have the 2 batteries setup? One under the bonnet for the starter motor and one under the rear seat/in the boot for the rest of the electronics?

Diesel Benz · 09-02-2009, 07:51 PM

I'm not familiar with the W220 but aren't those things that don't work now all operated by the same device under the rear seat?

Isn't there a door at the front of the rear seat where you can access the fuse box without removing the seat (just remember something like this, I have never opened the fuse box on this model).

mr. shr · 09-02-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midlife

I think the fuse for the central locking is under the rear seat so any advice on how you get the rear seat out would be appreciated

Cheers

The W220 does have two fuse boxes, one under the hood and one under rear seats, BUT you do not need to remove the seat bench.

The rear fuse box is located behind the rear passenger footwell light (driver's side). Just pull the light lense out and you'll see the fuses and relays behind it.

EDIT:
Looks like Diesel Benz beat me to it. :-)

Rory · 09-02-2009, 09:27 PM

Duplicate post

Rory · 09-02-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verytalldave

While -15 is damn cold I admit, its nothing when compared to north Scandinavia and Canada/Alaska where -25 is common. And I would guess cars there still function as they should.

Not so sure about that - colleague lives in Finland and he used to have a Land Rover and wanted to have central locking fitted but I clearly remember him saying that you can't just fit "ordinary" central locking systems to cars in Finland.

midlife · 09-02-2009, 09:51 PM

well I got in to the rear fuse box and found the problem (a broken fuse which controls the boot release, central locking and the rear head rests)
All you have to do is pull away the cover below the rear seat and you have access)
I'll put a new one in tomorrow and see what happens. There was no sign of damp/water damage so I've no idea at this point. I'll post up the fault if I find out what it was
Thanks for the replys

stainless · 11-02-2009, 08:50 PM

this is a common problem on the w220.it is the yellow 20amp fuse under the seat that always goes during any kind of frost.i go through a fuse every day here in glasgow during really cold spells,as does 2 mates with the w220 who live local....never happens when there is no frost.

MBManInKen · 12-02-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. shr

The W220 does have two fuse boxes, one under the hood and one under rear seats, BUT you do not need to remove the seat bench.

I notice the solution to the OP's problem has already been provided, but I'd like to add a small correction: there are 3 fuse boxes: two under the bonnet (one left, one right) and one under the rear seat.

mr. shr · 12-02-2009, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBManInKen

I notice the solution to the OP's problem has already been provided, but I'd like to add a small correction: there are 3 fuse boxes: two under the bonnet (one left, one right) and one under the rear seat.

Yes quite right, I forgot about the second one under the bonnet.
Well spotted.

09-02-2009, 02:57 PM	#1
midlife Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 57	-15 and now nothing works! (W220) I stay on the outskirts of Aberdeen and it has been so cold the last two days (-15 in some cases). Since then the central locking has stopped working, the soft closure doors are not working and the boot (trunk) release won't open. The boot won't even open manually as it feels locked. Can anyone tell me if all of these faults are related could this just be down to the cold or does it sound like some fuses have gone. I think the fuse for the central locking is under the rear seat so any advice on how you get the rear seat out would be appreciated Cheers

09-02-2009, 07:24 PM	#4
grober Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Perth SCOTLAND Car: E220 COUPE Posts: 8,056	Can you get into the car to start it? -15C will finish off any battery that's on its last legs anyway. Does your car have the 2 batteries setup? One under the bonnet for the starter motor and one under the rear seat/in the boot for the rest of the electronics? __________________ Cheers Graeme E220 COUPE auto 96 Last of the Ol 124s Last edited by grober; 09-02-2009 at 07:28 PM.

09-02-2009, 09:27 PM	#7
Rory Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cheshire, UK Car: C270 Estate Posts: 3,691	Duplicate post Last edited by Rory; 09-02-2009 at 09:33 PM.

09-02-2009, 03:13 PM	#2
verytalldave Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bromley, Kent Car: W203 C200K Cubanite Posts: 3,223	While -15 is damn cold I admit, its nothing when compared to north Scandinavia and Canada/Alaska where -25 is common. And I would guess cars there still function as they should. So I would guess its something other than temperature related. But that is just a guess. I would ask other owners of similar vehicles in your immediate vicinity whether they have experienced similar problems, and then go from there with that knowledge. It can sometimes be very difficult to pin down a fault to a specific reason.

09-02-2009, 07:51 PM	#5
Diesel Benz Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Europe Car: 221.122 & 212.025 & 204.089 Posts: 2,595	I'm not familiar with the W220 but aren't those things that don't work now all operated by the same device under the rear seat? Isn't there a door at the front of the rear seat where you can access the fuse box without removing the seat (just remember something like this, I have never opened the fuse box on this model).

09-02-2009, 09:51 PM	#9
midlife Member Threadstarter Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 57	well I got in to the rear fuse box and found the problem (a broken fuse which controls the boot release, central locking and the rear head rests) All you have to do is pull away the cover below the rear seat and you have access) I'll put a new one in tomorrow and see what happens. There was no sign of damp/water damage so I've no idea at this point. I'll post up the fault if I find out what it was Thanks for the replys

11-02-2009, 08:50 PM	#10
stainless New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3	this is a common problem on the w220.it is the yellow 20amp fuse under the seat that always goes during any kind of frost.i go through a fuse every day here in glasgow during really cold spells,as does 2 mates with the w220 who live local....never happens when there is no frost.

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