I'm in the middle of a dealership service area horror story and need to find out of the 603.961 engine has a cam sensor. I've called another dealer and searched the online catalogs on Fastlane and a different internet merchant with no luck.

My car was supposed to be done today. When I called, they said the cam sensor was missing and could not finish the job until it was ordered and installed. It will be ordered today and arrive next Wed or Thurs.

I have the uneasy feeling (once again) I am being jerked around. Going on like 6 or 7 weeks now (lost count)...

__________________
Lance Allison
Lance@LanceAllison.com

Current:
11 MB S550 4Matic, 55k miles, Designo Black/Black
14 Ford F150 XLT Lariat Crew, 73k miles, 5.0
Coyote V8 4x4. Black/tan.
09 GMC Envoy Denali, 5.3 V8, 4x4 SWB. 38k miles,
Jewel Red/Med Gray.

Gone:
87 MB 300SDL, 320k miles, Astral Silver/Blue.
98 VW Jetta TDI, 488k miles, Classic Green/Gray.
85 Olds 98 Brougham FWD, 4.3 DIESEL V6, 80k
miles, 3x Gray.

MBCA Member, Chicago Region

Your car does not have a cam sensor to my knowledge. The only sensor of this type would be bolted to the side of the injection pump. That would be a rack position sensor.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

What is the PROBLEM with the car??? Why does the engine need this sensor, according to the dealer?? ON U.S. version engines there isn't any cam sensor!! There is a CRANK(flywheel) sensor.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

M.B. Doc --

The problem with the car is this...

The car has been in their shop for about 7 weeks now getting a top end rebuild. It was supposed to have been done LONG ago and they keep coming up with excuses.

The last update was the car should be done this Thurs (7/05 or 7/06). When I called, they said the CAM sensor was missing and they would need to order it. Wouldn't be in until next Wed or Thurs and the car may be done Fri or the first part of the following week.

I THINK they are trying to buy more time...what do you think?

__________________
Lance Allison
Lance@LanceAllison.com

Current:
11 MB S550 4Matic, 55k miles, Designo Black/Black
14 Ford F150 XLT Lariat Crew, 73k miles, 5.0
Coyote V8 4x4. Black/tan.
09 GMC Envoy Denali, 5.3 V8, 4x4 SWB. 38k miles,
Jewel Red/Med Gray.

Gone:
87 MB 300SDL, 320k miles, Astral Silver/Blue.
98 VW Jetta TDI, 488k miles, Classic Green/Gray.
85 Olds 98 Brougham FWD, 4.3 DIESEL V6, 80k
miles, 3x Gray.

MBCA Member, Chicago Region

A MB dealer in the US can get about anything overnite. I have gotten parts through my local dealer from Germany in the same week. Almost everything I order comes overnite even if it doesn't come from our local depot.

One of the most despicable practices I see is to make a customer wait so that they can get the extra 10% off that comes from waiting for a stock order.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician