Hello folks, I have often requested a general starting point for questions and research on the W220 S-Class, something akin to the
Encyclopaedia Germanica vol. 107 on the BenzWorld R/C 107 forum. Well, here it is. I don’t have all the answers, or even all the good sites, but I do have over 2500 links bookmarked that help me respond to questions on three different forums. Here are the best of them.
Feel free to suggest more posts that you think should be included, via email or private message. Also, while you cannot post in this thread, feel free to add any relevant additional information or updates in the threads to which the links below will take you.
Also:
The only official source of Mercedes technical information is
STAR TekInfo. The cost to sign up for one day and download the documents you need is minimal. There is also a wealth of technical information on how various Mercedes systems operate in
MBUSA Technical Training PDF files and at the TSB/Wiring Diagram link Pinkster provided us -
http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html
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If you do not find the answer you're looking for here, you may find it in
W220 S-Class Encyclopedia - especially if you are looking for engineering specifications.
Occasionally someone will ask for help in posting photos or other attachments. For help, see post 6,
Radiator Fan Smoking. To place a photo at the bottom of a post: post 7,
Leather Seats - Confused after reading - To post a photo within your text: post 3,
how to post with numerous pics
Brochures: There are electronic sales brochures on Mercedes models including the S-Class at
Mercedes Brochure Archive - the model years are European; for example, the U.S. 2006 S-Class was a W220, but the brochure shows the '06 being a W221.
Please read this over before posting new questions. We’ll ask. If it’s already covered, we’ll just refer you back to this. If it doesn’t quite answer your questions, you’ll have many good search terms for the forum’s search tool, and you won’t have to wait as long for an answer.
REPAIR OF MERCEDES ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS - Many expensive Mercedes electronic components can be repaired rather than replaced. See
M & B Specialist; some of the items include Engine Control Unit (ECU), Navigation Command Unit, Instrument Cluster, Throttle Body, Central Lock Vacuum Pump, CD Changer, Amplifier, A/C Control Unit, Gear Shifter, Seat "Brain," and Airmatic system components. See more in the equipment-specific posts below.
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TECHNICAL SUPPORT BULLETINS and WIRING DIAGRAMS - Pinkster has done us a tremendous service and posted a link to TSBs and wiring diagrams for most MB models, including the W220, at
Technical Service Bulletins and Wiring Diagrams - In addition to any information below, please use this resource as well. As a shortcut:
http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html Thanks, Dean!!!
HERE IS A BRIEF INDEX to help you locate topics and get to them quickly; Major headings are underlined; some topics are mentioned, but not all sub-topics are indexed. Clicking the links will take you to the post mentioned in the index.
Post 1 - Introduction and Index (You're here)
Post 2 – Reserved for expansion
Post 3 - Suspension, Part 1 - Airmatic -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
Airmatic
Post 4 – Suspension, Part 2 – Active Body Control (ABC) and items common to both -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
ABC (Active Body Control)
Both Airmatic and ABC
Post 5 - COMAND, Nav, Handsfree Phones -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
COMAND
Navigation
Nav inaccurate or antenna bad
Handsfree Phone
Post 6 – MP3/iPod integration, Audio Problems, Radios and Radio Codes, Antenna Systems -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
iPod integration
Audio problems:
---Radio, Radio Codes
Antenna system function for radio, cell phone, central locking, Tele-Aid
Post 7 - BODY, Part 1 - leaks, panel removal, Trunk won’t open, RESETS, filters, noises -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
Body:
-LEAKS
--Water in front or rear footwells; A/C fan turns but no air; or dashboard buttons do not work
-Body panel removals (with videos)
-RESETS of interior components (seats, warning lights, etc)
-Filter replacement
-Noises
Post 8 – Body, Part 2 – Steering Column, Lights, Mirrors -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
---Steering column
---The trunk won't open (battery charged and battery dead)
---Lights, mirrors
---Windshield wiper malfunctions
Post 9 - BODY - Part 3 - Soft Close, PSE Pump, Wipers, Miscellaneous -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
Soft Close:
--PSE Pump
--Lumbar Adjustment Problems
--Door Lock Mechanisms
--Trunk mechanisms
Windshield Wipers:
--Fail to park
--Blades chatter
--Replacement blades
--Washer Reservoir and Pump Problems
Miscellaneous:
--Making own control buttons
--Inoperative rear seat headrests
--Replacing rear seat belt
--DIY seat heaters
--R&R Exhaust system
--Repair cup holder, '00-'02 models
--Parking sensor replacement
Post 10 - Electrical Systems, Batteries, Fuses, Fuse Locations -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
Electrical systems:
---Alarm
---Charging system
----Voltage regulator replacement
---Battery
----Battery and alternator checks
----Excess (Quiescent) battery drain
----Jump Starting
---SRS
---Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)
---Switches
Programming HomeLink (garage door opener)
Extend the range of garage door opener
Fuse Locations, Electronic Fuses, Fuse diagrams
Post 11 – SAMs, Fiber Optics and CAN Busses, Keys and Remotes -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
SAMS, SAM functions and locations
Fibre Optics Systems
---About; differences; technical data
---What kind do I have?
Controller Area Networks (CAN Busses)
Keys
--Key problems, batteries, won't turn and more
--Electronic Ignition System (EIS) problems
--Getting into the trunk without a key or power
--antenna system for central locking (and other systems)
Post 12 – Engine -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
Engine:
---Acceleration problems
---CEL (Check Engine Light)
---Stalls (Crankshaft Position Sensor)
---Camshaft Position Sensor (and difference from Crankshaft Position Sensor)
---Throttle Position Sensor
---MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor
---MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor replacement
---EIS (Electronic Ignition System)
---Fans
---O2 sensor
---Replace fuel quantity sensor (gas tank)
---Valve cover gasket/breather cap seal replacement
---Engine mount replacement
---More
Post 13 - Transmission, Drive Train, Brakes, Steering, Wheels, Routine Service -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
-Transmission
---Leaks
---Dipstick
---Shifter stuck (especially in Park)
---Reset adaptive transmission
---Service
---4Matic transfer case service bulletin
---Discussion on 5-speed (722.6) and 7-speed (722.9) Transmissions
Drive Train & Brakes:
---Sources of vibration
---Fix for "70mph vibration"
---Flex discs (Important!!)
---Maintenance and Repair of Flex Discs and Propeller Shaft Components
---Service campaign to replace transfer case, some 4Matic vehicles
-Wheels
---Fitment
---Repairing Curb Rash
-Routine Service (A and B)
Post 14 - A/C & Heating, General MB Fault Codes, System Resets -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
Air Conditioning/Heating
---Noises
---Duovalve
---Sensors
---Thermostat
---Reading fault codes
---Resetting the system
---Replacing the compressor
General MB Fault Codes
Resets of nearly all systems
Post 15 - Instrument Cluster, Parts Sources, Manuals, EPC, Vehicle Documentation and DIY Repair Documentation -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
Instrument Cluster:
--Extended Warranty vs. Recall
--Repair vs replacement
--Removal
--Clock does not show the proper time
--Inaccurate outside air temperature
Parts Sources
Component Level Repair of many electrical parts
Manuals:
--Electronic Owners manual, COMAND manuals, and routine service items and intervals
--Approved fluids
--Voice Recognition
--Mercedes Electronic Parts catalogue (EPC)
--STAR TEC Information System (The Workshop Information System for techs)
--VIN decoders
--Vehicle Data Card and Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI)
Post 16 - Quality, Comparisons, Maintenance Costs, Buying Advice -
W220 S-CLASS ENCYCLOPEDIA - START HERE (major update Sep...
And please don't forget - if nothing works, Mercedes offers
Roadside Assistance. The service call responds to your location. To get it, use Tele-Aid, or EMBRACE, call 1-800-367-6372 (1-800 FOR Mercedes) or call your local dealer. While you will have to pay for parts, the service is free if your car is under warranty, and may be free if you have been having your car maintained by a dealership. See the
Error Page and add the numbers you may need to your mobile phone and car's directory.
ADDITIONS OF NEW AND UPDATED MATERIAL IS MARKED WITH * or ** BELOW
NOTE: Because of space limitations in each post, some items have been relocated as of April 30, 2013. The index has been updated and topics added to the post titles.
HINTS FOR FOLKS NEW TO FORUMS
Good information for new folks on any MB forum -
Some New Guy Help (I hope)
BACKUP FILE
As a hedge against future hacking, below is a pdf file that contains the URLs for links and videos. You may wish to download it. If links or videos in the thread are disabled, you can paste the URL into your browser window and get the information you need. I will update it periodically.