Hello everyone. My name is Manny.
I'm new to the forum. I've been hanging around just monitoring the board for a couple of weeks now. I own a 94 MB C280 and it's a pretty high maintenance car. if anyone could help? please? here's a summary of some things:
1. The SRS airbag light is on. Since the car is nearing 8 years old, do the airbags need to be replaced already?
2. The car seems to have problems with the gas areas. We have replaced the EGR valve 4 times since brand new. 2x gas pumps replaced.. once, starter replaced.... the idle is rough too...how do we get this to purr like new?
3. the glove compartment is stuck... sounded like something snapped... now it doesnt open. can it be opened without damage?
4. Recirculator is stuck... shop is asking for $1500 to replace the thing that opens and closes the recirculator... part is only less than $100 but they say the job is pretty laborious because the whole dash has to come off... any recommendations on this? This affects our Central locking system... apparently the whole system is controlled by some vacuum presure module in the back and the recirc thing is leaking and the vacuum module is constantly pumping.

ok.. i think this is enough for now... I have a lot more questions.. but it is much more for changing the look and performance of the car. Thanks in advance!!!

~manny

Hi, Manny:

On question 1, SRS light, your air bag shouldn't be bad. One of the threads I found using the search function, above, was http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/16306-srs-light-stays-1-minute-after-starting-car.html There were a number of others, so if this doesn't help, you might try the search yourself and see what you find.
On the Rough Idle, another search found that the OVP may be a problem. That thread is http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/16086-c280-nightmare.html . Again, there were more, so the answer might be burried in there as well.
Good luck!

Thanks for the reply john! I know I should look through the archives... but there's so much info....i dont know where to start. oh well... that's what my research skills are for right?

Infiniti,
Go with JCE, get the new overvolt relay. If yours has never been changed, then I am sure it is time (does your car take a while to start when warm on occasion?). Also, check your fuel filter for the rough idle. If it hasn't been replaced recently, replace it, it caused a rough idle in mine. Any other questions?

David,

the overvold relay has never been replaced on the car...I'll have them check it out. The fuel filter has been replaced several times already.. once when they changed our fuel pump.. and once when they replaced our starter... and yes.. i've been noticing that the car is taking much longer to start... and the starter really sounds different compared to the old starter. But I thought that it was just because they replaced the starter. Our original starter just gave out one day.. it would just click and click without the engine turning over... I knew it wasnt the battery because I just replaced the battery. They actually thought it was the fuel pump (second time)... but turned out that it wasnt... so they basically gave us a new fuel pump and replaced the starter without charge. anyway, thanks for the info... I'll check it out.

~manny

The vacuum pump in the rear (in the trunk) controls the central locking and all the vacuum pods of the heater system. Depending on the fact whether you have a passenger’s airbag and what the exact leak of your recirculation system is, you can access the valve itself through the glove compartment.
There is a lock in the glove compartment box, can you control it or not, does it make any difference in opening it or not? If anything inside the lid did snap, you will need a new innerhalf of the lid (no repair possible and costs involved 60 dutch guilder --> 20 US$). You might want to consider to break the handle or the outer skin (approx. 100 dutch guilder --> 45 US$) to get access again.

Removing and replacing the dash of a C class can be done in 3/4 of a day (6 hours) by one person only. I would be very glad if I was to do the repair for 1500 US$...it would even be worth to buy the return plane ticket for. TOO EXPENSIVE!

greetingz,

I am convinced that your starter problem is due to the overvolt relay, and maybe even the fuel pump relay (which is what I need pretty soon). Do you know where the OVP relay is?

Manny,
I would also suggest to look for another mechanic. It seems that your present mechanic don't know what he is doing. What area are you in? May be somebody in this site can get you in the right direction. I think is time to move on...

Manny,
Welcome to the greatest site of Mecedes Benz.

Clauser1

Thanks for the welcome!
 

Thank god I found this site! It's great to have a community of benz owners to chat about this and that...

Mbenz, I have some wires sticking out of my glove compartment and I sure would like to remove it.... (I left my portable CD player in there..) Yup... it doesnt open even if it is locked or what... Where can I order the cover (inner and outer part.. the cover and the locking mechanism)...for that low price? I think they will be charging me over 500 here.
about the recirculator solenoid thing... I figured that the cost was too much to just replace the darn thing. But the hum from the central locking vacuum pump does kinda get annoying after a while.. and I figure may cause premature wear to that component. Can that recirculator solenoid be accessed through anywhere like the glove box? How is it removed?

DavidCClasse... I dont know where the OVP or fuel pump relays are located. I might ask another mechanic to take a look at it... but where I'm at, service for mercedes benzes is not really top notch. I am in GUAM all the way across the Pacific Ocean... they closed the MB dealership here. And I dont know if anyone really knows how to work on these cars. There is one guy I know, but I havent brought my car in for any major problems to him yet. Anyway... I will try for all that I can since my resources are limited out here.
i swear. It's hard to get good service out here... I dont know why... we aren't a poor country...but i guess it's because of the small size of the island. oh well.. anyway... thanks for all your responses.

Infinit,
The Overvolt relay is:
Under the hood, facing the car, at the rear passenger side, under the black plastic panel. There should be a silver rectangular metal peice with a fuse on top of it, this is the OVP. Make sure that when you get the new one, you buy the updated part, just ask if you have any questions.
As for the fuel pump relay, I need to figure out where this is also. I have heard that is next to the OVP, but still cannot locate it. Perhaps someone else coudl help?

Infinit,

Does your dash have a passenger airbag or not? What colour is your interior?
I still have some dash lids lying around after I rebuild my car with an AMG interior...
I bought my new parts at the dutch MB dealer; the prices they charge are normally very fair.

The vacuum pump in the trunk of the car will stop intermittently (it has a feature to prevent from overheating).

If you can give me some more info (if possible with some digital pictures), I might be able to lead you through a DIY procedure for your vacuum problem...I might even consider to get me a return ticket and do the repair for you (1500 US$ will definitely verify the costs involved...way too expensive!)

http://members.tripodnet.nl/mbenz/12f15dc0.jpg

If you don't have the passenger airbag, you have a lot of space to get to the vacuum system near the recirculation valve.

greetingz,

David... thanks for the description... I'll look into it.

MBenz,
I just took the car to the dealership and the mechanic was nice enough to open up the compartment for me. it only needs an $18 part to be able to fix the thing. or I can go and look for the little arm that broke.
About the Vacuum pump..I know... I can hear it turning on and off... I do have the Passenger side airbag so it will be hell to get that out. I guess I'll just live with it.
I just looked at your car. NICE!!! What kit do you have on it? is that AMG? I wanted to know if I could convert my 94C280 to AMG... I'm putting on Lorinser lowering springs and sport shocks. If you dont mind me asking, how much would it cost to make it "look" AMG. I like exterior styling and square chrome or blackchrome mufflers. I also need some new rims for the thing! mine are turning a different color already!

OH and another thing... How much does it cost to replace the sunvisors? mine are broken from heat damage. and also my sunroof shade... and my roof and back deck too!!! it is so hot on guam that these stuff started to come off!!! know if I can get this replaced?