Faulty A160 dash

[Mercedes Benz UK]

Hi,

I'm having some problems with my wife's A160 and wondered if anyone has experienced similar.

Before I get into the problem I will say that the starter motor needs replacing, and last weekend I was unsuccessfully trying to start the car when the problem happened. Just as the starter motor stopped turning, the dash went crazy - all of the needles went to maximum and the digital readout displayed a load of garbage!

Now that the car is running again, the digital read out is fine, but the odometer and fuel gauge are reading higher speeds / more fuel than they should! The rev counter may also be showing the same problem but it's hard to tell. Even though the needle of the fuel gauge is near maximum, the reserve tank light is illuminated (which is correct - there is hardly any fuel in the tank).

Any suggestions for how I can get the needles back to displaying the correct data?

Thanks in advance.

[lofty]

I've not heard of this one before but i suspect it's a 'Star' Diagnostics re-set job, although that will cost it may well save your instrument cluster having to be replaced.

You could try disconnecting the battery for 30 mins or so it may correct the faults, it's certainly worked in other cases where things aren't working correctly .
Think what you do when you PC goes mad, shut it down re-boot that's the same for the ecu .
Good luck and feed back would be appreicated either way
Lofty

[Mercedes Benz UK]

My local indy suggested disconnecting the battery too, so I'm going to give it a shot and I'll report back later. Thanks for the help

[Mercedes Benz UK]

The starter motor barely turns the engine over at all now. Once I've rolled it down a hill to get started I'll update you, but after reconnecting, the fuel gauge certainly seemed fine when I turn the key in the ignition.

Thanks again

[lofty]

How old is your battery? 3-4 years and it needs replacing at least testing with a high rrate discharge meter , Halfords will do that for you on the spot.
A large number of problems on this car are caused by sub standard batteries, loads of short runs and the alternator cannot keep up with the discharge , take it off and give it a 24 hour trickle charge and see if that helps it may cure both faults .
Halfords stock a battery with a vent which is essential on this car which is suitable and it one hell of a lot cheaper the MB
My money is on, that both faults are being caused by the battery

No I don't have shares in Halfords, but I do look for good service where they treat you like a customer and not somebody who has just interupted the tea break!

Bert Rowe's-Mercedes-Benz 'A'-class information.battery, location , removal , replacement.
Sorry but my CD must go up so order yours within the next week and save £1

[Mercedes Benz UK]

I'll fill you in on some history of the car - I bought it for my wife about a month ago, to use as a runaround. It has only covered 41k miles and is in very good condition. When I bought it I hammered the seller's price down a bit because I was aware of the starter problem and a knocking sound which I assume is one of the droplinks. I am guessing the previous two owners used it to go shopping once a week because there are virtually no signs of wear and tear whatsoever.

At first, when the car had been standing, the starter turned over very slightly slower than expected, but the engine always fired up and worked as it should. If the car was driven for a while, stopped, then the engine re-started, the starter sounded like it would barely turn and frequently didn't start the engine.

Latterly, the starter barely turns even when the car has been standing - I don't know whether this is a bad starter or battery, but I think I'll give it a 24 trickle charge as you suggest, and if that fails take the battery for Halfords for them to test.

Watch this space for an update.

[lofty]

The only other thing I wouls check is the large earth connection onto the engine just below the battery box, but money is on the battery duff cell or undercharged..

[Mercedes Benz UK]

I purchased a new battery yesterday and it seems to have solved all of the problems. The old one had a charge indicator, which, despite 24 hours of charging, didn't change at all!

Thanks again for your help.

[lofty]

And they all lived happily ever after,


How many times have I said have you checked the battery to readers on forums.
The battrey on the a class is the most importasint thing without you wont start the car and if you have auto gearbox it will show all sorts of fauts if the power from the battery is down
I'll chance saying this again, I have a manual but i put the battery on trickle charge at least once every six monthsI also check the battery fluid level and to date have had no problems.
Duff battery Duff car, R men

[Mercedes Benz UK]

I can't believe I missed out the most basic thing and started assuming the worst! lol