Is this the infamous SBC impending failure warning? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 01-14-2018, 06:06 PM

On my CDI, every time I turn on the ignition I get this warning. Does this mean an SBC unit replacement is in my future? If so, where can one be found that is the best value? Is rebuilt available or is new the only option? I dreaded this when I bought the car knowing that someday I would have to deal with it. I like everything about the CDI except this!

HarvAMG · #2 01-14-2018, 06:28 PM

Are they any stored codes? Something is triggering that warning.

ROLLGUY · #3 01-14-2018, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarvAMG

Are they any stored codes? Something is triggering that warning.

I have not checked for codes yet, so maybe it is just worn pads.

diesellover 92 · #4 01-14-2018, 07:16 PM

i know ill catch some flak for this, but when the time comes on my w211 i plan on getting the sbc reset tool.

ROLLGUY · #5 01-14-2018, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesellover 92

i know ill catch some flak for this, but when the time comes on my w211 i plan on getting the sbc reset tool.

What is this tool you speak of? I know the STAR (Xentry) will handle this, but is there something less expensive? I have the Icarsoft MB II, will that reset the SBC? I will only reset the SBC after replacing the unit, but don't want to have to tow my car to the dealer and pay big bucks to have them do it.

shertex · #6 01-14-2018, 08:01 PM

You can't reset the SBC counter with the ICarsoft unit. But there is some cheap unit out there that will do just that. It's marketed as solving a problem when in reality it's only masking it. Obviously the SBC unit will go beyond when we're told to replace it...but that's because there's a margin of safety built in. Extremely risky, in my opinion, simply to reset the actuation count. In effect what you're doing is preventing the car from telling you there's a problem when a problem arises.

Replacing the SBC unit is not a huge expense as car repairs go. I'm hoping to get to well over 200k before having to deal with mine.

diesellover 92 · #7 01-14-2018, 07:31 PM

also i dont think its your sbc, sbc warning is a bright red logo. Says reduced braking.

ROLLGUY · #8 01-14-2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesellover 92

also i dont think its your sbc, sbc warning is a bright red logo. Says reduced braking.

I thought this was the first warning, and later on the red warning comes with diminished or no braking. I hope it is just worn pads or something simple.

GregMN · #9 01-14-2018, 07:55 PM

No. I asked my MB service manager, that's not the one you speak of.

diesellover 92 · #10 01-14-2018, 08:09 PM

That tool is out there and once the reset has been done i don't think you can tell its been used. I'm in a few mercedes fb groups and they are used often. Like i said if the light came up on my mine i'll use the $40 tool to reset the counter until i figure out what i want to do.

shertex · #11 01-14-2018, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesellover 92

That tool is out there and once the reset has been done i don't think you can tell its been used. I'm in a few mercedes fb groups and they are used often. Like i said if the light came up on my mine i'll use the $40 tool to reset the counter until i figure out what i want to do.

Once the reset is done, how would you know when the unit actually NEEDED to be replaced? What criteria would you use to determine when to replace it?

ROLLGUY · #12 01-14-2018, 08:27 PM

SBC Break Failure

diesellover 92 · #13 01-14-2018, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Once the reset is done, how would you know when the unit actually NEEDED to be replaced? What criteria would you use to determine when to replace it?

I believe it still runs system checks in addition to the cycle counting. From what i have read, most of the time the brushes wear out on the motor The cycle counter and alert is more relating to the brush life, nothing internally is damaged. But this is a do at your own risk repair.

shertex · #14 01-14-2018, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesellover 92

I believe it still runs system checks in addition to the cycle counting. From what i have read, most of the time the brushes wear out on the motor The cycle counter and alert is more relating to the brush life, nothing internally is damaged. But this is a do at your own risk repair.

Yes, I've heard that a number of criteria are employed to determine when the first, i.e. the white, message is displayed. It's not solely dependent on actuation count...that's just one of several factors. For this reason, people are getting message with widely differing actuation counts.

But what I wonder is whether the message would ever appear if the actuation count was reset to zero.

FWIW my actuation count was about 468,000 when I checked it at 165,000 miles.

ROLLGUY · #15 01-14-2018, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Yes, I've heard that a number of criteria are employed to determine when the first, i.e. the white, message is displayed. It's not solely dependent on actuation count...that's just one of several factors. For this reason, people are getting message with widely differing actuation counts.

But what I wonder is whether the message would ever appear if the actuation count was reset to zero.

FWIW my actuation count was about 468,000 when I checked it at 165,000 miles.

Is there a way to find my actuation count with the MB II?