Category Archives: Daily Rants

Apple Music…

I’ve been a subscriber for the Apple Music service since it came out. I had never really use the service until recently. What a great freakin’ deal!! I can download music onto my device and play jams on my way to and from work. When I get tired of the download I can remove it and get something else. There is a huge library for my to choose from. 

I’m stoked about this service! 

SLK230 Stereo Rewire…

After messing with the stereo levels I wasn’t at all impressed with the level. I had the audio set at maximum of 35 and the sound was just average, though it wasn’t distorted.

Today I rewired the inputs by taking the RCA plugs and separating the positive and negative into discreet wiring to the aftermarket plug I purchased. The quality was much better and the annoying popping sound was gone when changing  in the radio panel. Since I was doing a rewire  went ahead and wired the car for a rear trunk sub woofer which meant fishing wire throughout  small confines and the precise trim fitting of a Mercedes Benz.

Since the trunk space is limited I had to use a small 12″ kicker subwoofer fitted into a small enclosure that the available space allowed. The amplifier is also a small footprint model made by Alpine. It is only a 500W model but that should be enough to at least indicate if I need to upgrade the equipment.

 

In search of… 

I’ve been checking out cars on Craigslist again.  I’m looking at Mustangs with V8 motors and manual shifting. Most of the mustangs i have seen are fairly beat up and appeared to have been raced. Most have dents and scratches or the paint and roof are losimg the clear coat. 

SLK230 Commuting…

Since I picked up the Mercedes Benz convertible I’ve been riding it daily. I haven’t  hopped on the Goldwing at all. The gas mileage seems to be decent. 

There are only a couple areas of traffic congestion where I miss riding the motorcycle but the benefits of being inside of a warm car during these winter months are greater

One thing I need to look into is the lack of having an auxiliary input. I like to listen to prerecorded podcast media and there is no way to plug in my media devices.  

I’ve made a few music CD’S to populate the multi CD carrier located in the back trunk but even that gets old with the limited amount of music you can store on six audio CD’s.  

SLK230 Status…

I’ve had the Mercedes Benz SLKw30 for almost a month now and I’ve fixed or taken care of things that were needed to to make it a daily driver. one of the first task was to have the rear tires replaced as the ones that came with the car were in very bad shape. especially the right rear tire, I could already see the tread coming through 2″ from the inner wall. I rode the car back home from Redwood City in this state. 

The next task at hand was to figure out why the CEL was illuminated and what OBD2 code was pending. The code that I read back from my scanner was the P1235 code, in the SK230 this was a common occurance and a lot of information was available on the forum help sections.The code had to do with the MAF sensor and it may have also played a part in the troublesome supercharger not kicking on. 

I’ve ridden the SLK for approximately 700 plus miles and no CEL. The car is running strong. I’m actually thinking about keeping it throughout the winter months. 

SLK230 working on it…

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.

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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.

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