KNOWN FAULTS · Mercedes-Benz
Known faults for the Mercedes-Benz SLK (R170).
2000–2004 · Petrol
Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.
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2 known faults with sources
Engines: SLK 200 / 230 Kompressor (Petrol) · SLK 320 (Petrol)
Applies if: Only platform 208 (CLK) or 170 (SLK) depending on the row, fitted with A/C or automatic climate control. Behr Hella Service bulletin of 24/07/2007: no engine restriction; check sensor and pressure, without attributing every compressor failure to this cause.
Air conditioning: incorrect pressure readingClimate control
- Engine / equipment
- Air conditioning in documented 170, 208 and W210 platforms.
- Period mentioned
- No year cutoff published; verify platform and A/C.
- Symptoms
- Compressor fails to engage or operates intermittently.
- Possible cause described
- Pressure sensor/switch may give incorrect values.
- Check for the garage
- Compare scan-tool and high-side gauge pressure; replace sensor if difference >2 bar.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
View full entryEngines: SLK 200 / 230 Kompressor (Petrol) · SLK 320 (Petrol)
Applies if: Only if fitted with the automatic gearbox described in the record.
13-pin connector leak on the 722.6 gearboxAutomatic gearbox
- Engine / equipment
- 722.6 five-speed automatic (5G-Tronic), not the 7G-Tronic: C-Class W203, E-Class W210 and W211, CLK, S-Class W220, ML W163, SLK, SL R230, Vito and Sprinter with this gearbox
- Period mentioned
- 1996–2013
- Symptoms
- Oil around the electrical connector on the side of the gearbox, harsh shifts or slipping, delayed engagement and limp mode: the car stays in one gear (usually 2nd and reverse after a restart) and the engine light comes on.
- Possible cause described
- The plastic adapter of the 13-pin connector has O-rings that harden and let oil out. Oil can wick up inside the wiring to the gearbox control unit and damage it. If the problem persists after replacing the connector, there may be oil in the harness, a damaged wire or a conductor plate fault.
- Check for the garage
- Read the gearbox control unit codes before switching off if possible (a restart can clear them). Look for oil at the connector and, with it unplugged, on its pins and at the control unit plug. According to the service bulletin, the connector should only be removed with gearbox oil below 50 °C to avoid damaging the conductor plate, and the harness must be routed without tension.
- Cost cited in the source
- Connector adapter: about $15–20 in parts (US prices quoted in the sources), plus the lost fluid; labour extra. If oil has reached the control unit, the repair is bigger.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.
Sources from the original database
Brake & Front End (ALLDATA): oil leak at the 722.6 connectorMercedesMedic: replacing the 722.6 13-pin connectorMercedesMedic: P0715 and P0720 codes and limp modeMBClub UK (forum): oil in the 722.6 harness on an ML55Bob Is The Oil Guy (forum): CLK320 in limp modeThe Transmission Shop: leaks and limp mode in Mercedes gearboxes
View full entryEngines for this model
- SLK 200 / 230 KompressorPetrol
- SLK 320Petrol