troubleshooting resources "********source" content
 

Prior to purchasing a 240d (1983), I have owned Volkswagens almost exclusively, along with a couple Volvos. For the Volkswagens, there is the Bentley manual. These manuals are superb in terms of troubleshooting and diagnostics. For the 240d, I can find next to nothing on terms of diagnostics and troubleshooting. The Haynes manual is almost laughable and the FSM is well, the FSM.
I value the the various online discussion forums, but would really like to find a clear, concise compendium of troubleshooting regarding these cars
I want to know if anyone has purchased :
Mercedes Diesel Engine Advanced Fault Diagnostic Manual by Kent Bergsma

And if so is it well thought out and well written?
It seems he has several mini-manuals regarding different car systems and this is a collection of those.

MB gives it to you for free. Click on:

StarTek

click on MB workshop resources and scroll down to you get to the manual for the W123:).

This is how other Folks have done stuff:
Repair Links
DIY Links by Parts Category - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum

PeachPartsWiki: Do It Yourself Articles - Mercedes Vehicles

Jim, is StarTek any different from the FSM which the OP already has?

Sixto
87 300D

The epc is an electronic parts catalog, right?

It must be late. I did not even see where he said FSM until after I read it again.

I think the startek information is the same as the FSM. Personally, I find it pretty useful:).

I find the Mercedes manual useful for completing tasks, with important details sometimes missing. I am looking for a troubleshooting guide which points to which diagnostics or tasks to be performed for a given car system given symptoms exhibited. so about this Bergsma guy...?

EVERYTHING printed by THAT website, is printed copies from the FSM... really.
I'd like to know what's bad about the fsm in your opinion? aside from the scarcity of the printed copies, and the poor quality of the cd copies' images... they are very very very informative manuals for the repair and maintenance of the mb vehicle.

Unlike you, I have not personally viewed all of the subject publications. The ones that I have viewed looked nothing like the FSM. Or any other FSM. (Maybe I have not seen the FSM, whatever that means.)


The general lack of troubleshooting information would be at the top of my list.

I believe that the FSM is a great resource for a person with experience. Without a working knowledge of the car systems that it describes procedures for, it is merely really good instructions. As far as I have seen, there is no troubleshooting format. The Bentley manuals, at least for mk1+mk2 VW's provide excellent troubleshooting and diagnostic steps. Thanks for characterizing Bergsma's writing; I'll keep looking for a manual geared towards the home mechanic.

You'd probably be hard pressed to find anything better than the collective brain available on this forum. Perhaps not as systematic or as well organized as some manuals but all that is outweighed by the fact that this brain is alive and responds to input.

I know, of course, but the very idea of dissecting a living brain:eek:

He's done a good job in explaining the basics of troubleshooting and repairing in simple language, far better than the FSM. Most of what he publishes are simple maintenance tasks and he doesn't have any specifications or detailed info.

However, for a person who is new to such a vehicle, his manuals, although pricey, can be helpful.

I bought one for use with disassembly and repair of the seats. It was a decent resource.

For those with more experience on the vehicle, the manuals will probably not provide any info that is not already understood.

I don't believe anybody mentioned the Haynes manual. It is pretty good and has diagnostic information. I normally use it and refer to my factory manual if more detail is needed.

"The Haynes manual is almost laughable"

The OP did and apparently is not impressed. I agree with Brian. I own a couple of Kent's manuals and if you are new to these cars he explains stuff pretty well. He even has some free information on his site. It is where I first learned about the faulty wiring to the rear window switches on the 124. His manuals are more detailed than the FSM IMHO.