Replaced the serpentine belts on my SLK230.

I’ve been working on the Mercedes Benz SLK230 since I got it a week or so ago. I had an error code P1235 that was related to the supercharger. After reading the Internet forums it seemed that this was a common issue with this year model car.

I was able to locate a newer than mine K40 relay module and did the install. Only time will tell if it has made a difference I also went ahead and cleaned the Mass Air Flow sensor module MAF. Hopefully with these two fixes and tightening down all the air intake areas and vacuum hose probabilities the error code will not return.

Since I was working on the motor I decided to paint the front cover red. I bought one off a seller that wrecked their 1999 SLK 230. I also bought the K40 module, rear view mirror and pulley shock.

After the unsuccessful attempt in repairing the K40 module assembly I decided to replace the complete assembly. Even though the solder connections were solid the actual relays may be defective when in use. I located a used module from a donor 1999 SLK230 that had gotten into a front end wreck. I removed the original and installed the replacement module. I also went ahead and soldered the known area of solder connection problems.

The car has been running strong for approximately 700 miles with no CEL activation. I can conclude the 2nd K40 module is working properly.

The auto dim mirror has always been stuck at the 3/4 mark of the mirror. I checked out the new and used prices and they were way out there! The new mirrors were close to $400 and the used mirrors from dismantlers were around ranging in the $200-250 range. I don’t need the “auto” dim feature”, I can manually flip the mode with no problem. I actually prefer to get the manual version so I won’t have possibility of this happening again in the future. Especially with a used replacement.

I picked a manual version up and replaced mine with no problems at all. The mirror I was able to get did have a few cracks on the plastic housing but fixable with the use of 2-part epoxy.

The SLK 230 rear wheels were in super bad shape. It was at the point of being unsafe to drive.

I’ve been having strange issues with the SLK230 since the day I got it. I’ve known about the P1235 OBD2 error code since I scanned it in before I got the car. Doing some research on the various forums and internet help sites I determined one of the areas to look into was the K40 relay module. This module is has been known to have failed soldered connections after a period of time. I removed it from the motor cabin and took it apart. The typical connections that fail didn’t look so bad but I went ahead and removed the old solder and flowed new solder for each known failed connection.

Once I put everything back together I reset the errors and rode the car for a couple of hundred miles. All seem to work until I got a full tank of gas. The CEL came on again and the P1235 code was back. During this time of failure the supercharger would be acting up too. Sometimes it would come on and other times not.

Picked up another Mercedes convertible. This time it’s a 1999 SLK-230. I’ve gone through a few cars and I have to say it’s one of the cleanest vehicles I’ve ever gotten on a trade.

It had gone through interior detail for sure.

Got an extra hour worth of sleep. 

I checked out the local firewood sellers and found one close by that had a good price and also offered stacking as part of their services. I cleared out a section on the side of the house. The folks that stacked the wood did a good pack and when they stacked it they optimized the space that was available. I’ll be using this service in the future.

Getting ready to bust out of here! I’m having a cord of wood delivered tomorrow morning so I have to get the area ready.