PSE - Removal, Refit and Check

[SpitzeStrom_Terp]

Bazzle, on your original post on this topic can you go ahead and add a paragraph explaining what the PSE is and what it does. (since this thread is stickied and may be read by alot of SLK/Benz "newbies" when they have a PSE issue.)

[homealone]

I had my PSE replaced a few years ago I was told to wrap it in a strong plastic bag another tip is to wrap tape or fix a grommet on all down wires/pipes to stop the water tracking down into the PSE which is the fault in the first place which was rectified by turning the PSE upside down in the later models. When I got my R171 the first thing I checked was the position of the PSE its not the same.

gary

[Bazzle]

Originally Posted by homealone

I had my PSE replaced a few years ago I was told to wrap it in a strong plastic bag another tip is to wrap tape or fix a grommet on all down wires/pipes to stop the water tracking down into the PSE which is the fault in the first place which was rectified by turning the PSE upside down in the later models. When I got my R171 the first thing I checked was the position of the PSE its not the same.

gary

1st page updated to show how to turn PSE over

Bazzle

[Shore]

The PSE in my GF's 98 slk230 had enough length to allow me to disconnect the vacuum lines and invert the PSE unit and re attach the vacuum lines without extending them them via the rubber slip hoe method.It is semi tight but no kinks or sharp bends.

But to be noted, my issue is/was with water coming down the lines as the foam had a damp spot and the bottom of the PSE literally had a small amount of water in it.Minimal damage to the board and WD40 and rags cleaned it up for the most part...BUT here in lies my true problem from the water.My white harness is the one to make the alarm go screwy.Inside the harness is the damage that caused my particular issue.I have cleaned it as best i can without literally pulling each pin and cleaning the light green corrosion off two pins....If it re-occurs i will put some dielectric grease on it...that in itself would have solved 99% of our issues.

One hint when putting the PSE assembly back together.The vaccum tubs can be a bit stubborn to line up correctly..I took the WD40 red tube and slid it in the pse vacuum head and then assembled the top portion of the unit...made it simple.

On a side note about the bag idea from MB....no way would I suggest encapsulating a hot/cold item in a plastic bag.When there is a hot/cold(as in this case electric) part it WILL create some amount of condensation.It will not need any water from outside as it will pull the mositure out of the air in the bag when it cools....where is that water going to go?..No where.
The simple fix to a working PSE is to just flip that PSE upside down and put the foam back on it.Sealing up the PSE or the Foam in a plastic bag seems like a problem waiting to happen.

This is really easier than it looks...

[guardgrey51]

Just had my first experience with my PSE and I did the same thing taking it out and using contact cleaner to dry the boards. Got it back in and everything was good. Drove it during the day and later I took it for a drive using the master lock key instead of the switchblade one. Now if I try to use the switchblade key it give me an start error message but does start without a problem using the master. I did have two occassions that afternoon when the alarm went off for now reason. Any ideas?

[cocktailsfirst]

Bazzle, as usual, your step by step helped out a great deal.
5 hours ofter a car wash the alarm started to go off. A quick check of the PSE showed signs of water and corrosion. After drying it out and cleaning the corrosion off, all is well in the world. I'll pull it out again this next weekend to track down the actual problem with the water. I keep the traps clean but who knows what's deep down in the pipes.
Thanks to all for their posts!
Mark

[Rocc_diesel]

My interior light would not go off and it rained earlier in the day. The next day I turned the PSE over and water slowly dripped outer after a few minutes. later my door locks didn't' want to work. That evening my lights were blinking. I shut them off with the remote. In 20 minutes my lights and alarm were sounding. Next day on my lunch break today tooke a look at the PSE and found some corrosion on the clips and pins. While I was checning things out my alarm started going off and on.

a week later and now it's almost working. Let it dry out for two days first because I had the time to. I cleaned up the board twice with rubbing alcohol. I put it in two days ago but the locks didn't work...For some reason it is working today... I notice last night while my PSE was out that all the features on the dome light worked properly but now that I put my PSE back in the interior light dimmer doesn't work Any Ideas?

[rick320]

Are MB TSB's similar to the TSB's on my Jeep? If I go into the dealership and complain of all the symptoms described in this thread, will the dealer charge me for the TSB on my out-of-wty SLK or are they treated as recalls/design defects? Thanks.

[Bazzle]

Some more pics here

Bazzle

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r170...ow-what-2.html

[Chris A]

Is there any way to find a schematic for the mainboard inside the PSE???