[verus]

problems with elektricity and messages from comp

 

[verus]

I have w211 E320 avantgarde 2002-240 000 km- last 6 months i had a problems with computer(head unit)as I was thinking i bought new one(350€) also alternator(generator)(600€)-some new realays...new ESP (2000€)-all the time i see on display that something is wrong...change oil..change coolant..charging...visit workshop. Almost halv of car is new and problems are just coming and coming-i would like to say that no electric devices are in car.car is looking and have fabric things(no extra lamps or amplifiers-nothing) - i really dont know what kind of problem is it-I serve car just in mercedes originall workshop-they do not know either....this car suxxx-cost me 27 000€ and reparations cost under 2 years more than 10 000€...probably my last mercedes

 

[eric242340]

problems with elektricity and messages from comp

Do you think this is enough information for anyone to work on? What sort of problems? and what are the messages? Greater detail would help us to solve your electronic problems:thumbsup:

 

[verus]

Do you think this is enough information for anyone to work on? What sort of problems? and what are the messages? Greater detail would help us to solve your electronic problems:thumbsup:

i wrote it just few minutes ago please look again and answer me if you have an idea

 

[eric242340]

I have w211 E320 avantgarde 2002-240 000 km- last 6 months i had a problems with computer(head unit)as I was thinking i bought new one(350€) also alternator(generator)(600€)-some new realays...new ESP (2000€)-all the time i see on display that something is wrong...change oil..change coolant..charging...visit workshop. Almost halv of car is new and problems are just coming and coming-i would like to say that no electric devices are in car.car is looking and have fabric things(no extra lamps or amplifiers-nothing) - i really dont know what kind of problem is it-I serve car just in mercedes originall workshop-they do not know either....this car suxxx-cost me 27 000€ and reparations cost under 2 years more than 10 000€...probably my last mercedes

Sorry to hear this, it's a horror story. Can you tell me what messages you are getting on the car now? And please stop using the Dealer, they are either ripping you off or are completely incompetent, they should go back to working on Volvo, they obviously know nothing about german cars.

 

[verus]

Sorry to hear this, it's a horror story. Can you tell me what messages you are getting on the car now? And please stop using the Dealer, they are either ripping you off or are completely incompetent, they should go back to working on Volvo, they obviously know nothing about german cars.

its pure true-thay can not-now its 5 messages-red ligt batery symbol and visit workshop other msgs are white colour- reduce oil level(oil is new-mobile halfsyntetic)-brakes visit workshop(brakes are completely new-disks,sensors)-ESP not available-see owners manual(ESP is also new 1500€+500€cost changing of whole unit).coolant-visit workshop(coolant level is ok-coolant is new and engine works under normal temperatur).

 

[verus]

i really enjoy if i could call you if you have an idea where the problem is or can be-i am back here in 1 hour again-my wife called me for a lunch

 

[eric242340]

No problem, when you have the time list the messages and the repairs these guy's have done thanks:thumbsup:

 

[Frizzy]

its pure true-thay can not-now its 5 messages-red ligt batery symbol and visit workshop other msgs are white colour- reduce oil level(oil is new-mobile halfsyntetic)-brakes visit workshop(brakes are completely new-disks,sensors)-ESP not available-see owners manual(ESP is also new 1500€+500€cost changing of whole unit).coolant-visit workshop(coolant level is ok-coolant is new and engine works under normal temperatur).

red light batery symbol: If this appears shortly after you start the car, there is (usually) something wrong with the aux battery (replace it) or even the aux battery relay. Usually, if you have no other voltage errors but the red battery symbol, it is caused by a problem with the aux battery. The car does a self test of the aux battery when you start the car. the error is red, since it is considered a critical error by the car since a redundant electrical system is required to guarantee SBC brake operation. Since you have an older car, you might simply need a new aux battery. I'd check this first. Nice to know: The car alternator will not charge the aux battery if you main battery voltage (in the trunk) is below 13.5V. So if you have had a lot of issues with your main battery, the aux battery could also be affected by this as time passes by since the battery controller will never charge it.

reduce oil level(oil is new-mobile halfsyntetic): Ummm....There is too much oil, you need to drain some from the engine.

brakes visit workshop(brakes are completely new-disks,sensors): If the brakes are otherwise OK, this message is very often caused by a malfunctioning brake light switch. Low cost part, should be a possible DIY fix.

ESP not available: This could be also the steering angle sensor/spring in the steering wheel (the dealership should be able to figure this one out and not just throw expensive parts at the car). You could also try to recalibrate the ESP, I think this is done by starting the engine and turning the steering wheel fully left, then fully to the right, then fully to the left. Someone please correct this if you have more information.

coolant-visit workshop: No experience with this one.

 

[eric242340]

red light batery symbol: If this appears shortly after you start the car, there is (usually) something wrong with the aux battery (replace it) or even the aux battery relay. Usually, if you have no other voltage errors but the red battery symbol, it is caused by a problem with the aux battery. The car does a self test of the aux battery when you start the car. the error is red, since it is considered a critical error by the car since a redundant electrical system is required to guarantee SBC brake operation. Since you have an older car, you might simply need a new aux battery. I'd check this first. Nice to know: The car alternator will not charge the aux battery if you main battery voltage (in the trunk) is below 13.5V. So if you have had a lot of issues with your main battery, the aux battery could also be affected by this as time passes by since the battery controller will never charge it.

reduce oil level(oil is new-mobile halfsyntetic): Ummm....There is too much oil, you need to drain some from the engine.

brakes visit workshop(brakes are completely new-disks,sensors): If the brakes are otherwise OK, this message is very often caused by a malfunctioning brake light switch. Low cost part, should be a possible DIY fix.

ESP not available: This could be also the steering angle sensor/spring in the steering wheel (the dealership should be able to figure this one out and not just throw expensive parts at the car). You could also try to recalibrate the ESP, I think this is done by starting the engine and turning the steering wheel fully left, then fully to the right, then fully to the left. Someone please correct this if you have more information.

coolant-visit workshop: No experience with this one.

Hi Frizzy and a good reply to his problems. But it needs to be taken step by step as the dealers are involved. In my opinion they messed up on this one. The bit about the ESP you posted is actually the method to reset the PML valve and yes it does affect the ESP system but it is a reset for the PML and not the ESP.

When the voltage drops on a dual battery system all sorts of weird warnings and lights come on. So we are initially looking at a low voltage problem and yes one of his batteries may have given up the ghost, (but how could the dealer of missed this)?

 

[verus]

Hi Frizzy and a good reply to his problems. But it needs to be taken step by step as the dealers are involved. In my opinion they messed up on this one. The bit about the ESP you posted is actually the method to reset the PML valve and yes it does affect the ESP system but it is a reset for the PML and not the ESP.

When the voltage drops on a dual battery system all sorts of weird warnings and lights come on. So we are initially looking at a low voltage problem and yes one of his batteries may have given up the ghost, (but how could the dealer of missed this)?

thank you guys for helping me-frizzy is located in scandinavia so he probably know what it can be with a dealers-generally swedish dealer Philipsson doesn´t care about it....they just told to me that I bought a car in Germany myself and not in sweden, so I am supposed to fix it as I wish...I just asked him if they are not buying MB in Germany too? my car had 150 000km for 2 years ago when I bought it in Germany and same car in sweden was almost 10 000€ more expensive-it is less today but but..why pay so much to them...

 

[eric242340]

I work with MB, BMW, Porsche and Volvo here in China. I have a friend from Sweden who works in Shenzhen, China with Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover. In this country you have to wear many hats and it's not back street garages. My company will turn over 60 million RMB this year.

MB Dealers are not Dealers, they are known as Stealers and it's the same the world over.

 

[verus]

I work with MB, BMW, Porsche and Volvo here in China. I have a friend from Sweden who works in Shenzhen, China with Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover. In this country you have to wear many hats and it's not back street garages. My company will turn over 60 million RMB this year.

MB Dealers are not Dealers, they are known as Stealers and it's the same the world over.

Very nice ERIC :thumbsup:

 

[verus]

The control panel is gone crazy.
it is malfunctioning.
get it resetted and things will go fine.

this week on thursday i am leaving my car at workshop and i am printing out all post for them-we will see whats happened:bowdown:

 

[verus]

The problem discussed by you contains very less info so alternatives or solutions to be found needs clarification.

display is showing malfunctions and car is working quit ok-i wrote more about problems on first side-or what kind of information you mean?

 

[Frizzy]

thank you guys for helping me-frizzy is located in scandinavia so he probably know what it can be with a dealers-generally swedish dealer Philipsson doesn´t care about it....they just told to me that I bought a car in Germany myself and not in sweden, so I am supposed to fix it as I wish...I just asked him if they are not buying MB in Germany too? my car had 150 000km for 2 years ago when I bought it in Germany and same car in sweden was almost 10 000€ more expensive-it is less today but but..why pay so much to them...

Even if your car is a private import, the dealers in my country (Norway) usually welcome the business anyhow. They make money no matter what, either from you, or in certain warranty cases they get the money refunded. However, with your private import, you have much fewer rights when it comes to country specific WARRANTY repairs and claims. As long as you're aware of this, and do not make wild claims for free repairs from the local dealer network, the dealers in Norway seem to be competent for the most part, and not unreasonable. Just don't go to the "wrong" place

It is impossible to say what happened to your E class from your forum posts alone. I'm not sure I understood the whole story--and you also see a lot of other posts asking for clarification. Why on earth would all those computers/controllers need to be replaced and who decided to replace them? Did you actually take your car to the national MB importer in Sweden and they, according to your posts, wanted to put all those new parts in? Was this done to fix the 5 error messages you listed?

I had many, many issues with my E-class, but my dealer has a very competent service department. All issues were actually fixed for free and in less than a day--but I did buy an officially imported car Anyhow, I have owned "gray" import cars as well, and this shouldn't make a real difference to the service level you receive.

Once you get this sorted, maybe try to find a good, independent garage in your area that specialize in Mercedes Benz. You car is pretty "old" anyways, so there shouldn't be any warranty concerns.

Also what eric242340 said about battery voltage is a good thing to keep in mind. All the computers and gizmo's on the 211's need a good power source and all sorts of weird issues may appear if the batteries aren't performing.

Did your official MB dealer actually put semi-synthetic oil in your engine? I find this unusual for an official dealership. Was fully synthetic too expensive?

 

[Frizzy]

The bit about the ESP you posted is actually the method to reset the PML valve and yes it does affect the ESP system but it is a reset for the PML and not the ESP.

When the voltage drops on a dual battery system all sorts of weird warnings and lights come on. So we are initially looking at a low voltage problem and yes one of his batteries may have given up the ghost, (but how could the dealer of missed this)?

Hi eric242340, just wondering: What is the PML/PML valve?

I also wonder how the dealer could have missed all these points on verus' car, even the seemingly simple ones. Why were so many controller/computer components replaced? Alternator... even issues after an oil change, etc. .. scary.

 

[eric242340]

Hi eric242340, just wondering: What is the PML/PML valve?

I also wonder how the dealer could have missed all these points on verus' car, even the seemingly simple ones. Why were so many controller/computer components replaced? Alternator... even issues after an oil change, etc. .. scary.

Speed sensitive power steering valve and it increases/decreases the fluid pressure going to the steering rack. For this to work properley the computer needs to record steering parameters - hence turning the steering from lock to lock sends the appropriate information for the computer to store.

When you have a low power situation computers can dump information and it needs to be put back. There are ways of restoring that info using the car and also by using DAS.

Why they changed so many parts? Is beyond me, simply a horror story ain't it.

It seems to me that all his problems have been caused by low voltage, so fix this problem and reset everything else.:thumbsup:

 

[verus]

Hi eric242340, just wondering: What is the PML/PML valve?

I also wonder how the dealer could have missed all these points on verus' car, even the seemingly simple ones. Why were so many controller/computer components replaced? Alternator... even issues after an oil change, etc. .. scary.

i will try the whole story: in november 2008 was very rainy and i got a water inside my car through the cabels.so inside a car was about 20 liters water-unit probaly broke down because its lying on the floor under drivers foots in water of course so display showed malfunctions-so first (350€for new unit for dealer) and some money for taking everything out and dryiing. after that 2weeks without problems. But same malfunctions shows car again after those 2weeks so dealer(in Karlstad-Sweden) was testing battery(big battery on backside of car and small one in front of a car-and whole electricity inside a car. batteries are 1,5years old and shows enough with power-alternator(generator) was broken-does not charging batteries enough(550€) -so this is new.2weeks no problems and then came ESP not available see owners manual and same malfunctions as before...dealer told me you know many those cars had this problem with ESP(whole unit costs 2000€)-i got a new unit and they resseted all malfunctions-for 3 weeks ago same malfunctions as before but not ESP-ESP is not working anyway because I try it on snow and no effect-wheels just turned around and whole car was staying on same place...malfunctions: coolant,oillevel,battery charging,...whats next

 

[verus]

Today is car again in workshop-I print out everything you wrote and told the dealer DO AS GUYS ARE WRITING OTHERWISE I AM GONNNA SHOOT YOU-they are doing some measuring today and they will change both batteries and charging realays...so we will see next week if car is working...yeaah something that i did not wrote before-radio is sometimes turning on and off...ond and off...(radio is AUDIO50 without AUX Input)