Warning Message...what does it mean? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Vladamir · #1 05-11-2008, 05:14 AM

Hi,

Not sure whether the following Merc was sold in the US, but its worth a try asking the question.

A friend of mine has a year 2001 G-Wagen with the 400CDi Diesel V8 engine and it has a totally random problem, ie: ever so often it will completely loose all power and shut down for no apparent reason.

The car will instantly restart and the following message comes up in the info display

"EL Power Control, Visit Workshop EPC"

Does anybody know what this means or does anybody know what is causing this mystery fault.

Our local Merc dealer has plugged the car to read fault codes etc but can't work out whats going on.

The cars had a new Mass Air Flow Meter fitted to see if this was the problem, but its not cured it.

Funnily enough the problem is familiar to me as its exactly the same symptoms as an Over Voltage Protection Relay fault that you commonly see on Mercedes models fitted with the M104 engine from the 1993-1998 period, ie car would randomly cut out and then restart after a couple of minutes.....the problem was due to a dry solder joint in the Over Voltage Protection relay.

With this in mind, does a G Wagen from 2001 have an over voltage protection relay? and if so could it be the problem or are the electronics from the 2001 period completely different, which I suspect they are.

Many thanks

TMAllison · #2 05-11-2008, 12:01 PM

Suspect you need a new K40 relay (replaced the old OVP). It powers the shut off valve on earlier diesels (in the US it was from 96-99 with the 606.9xx engine) and I'm assuming it has the same responsibility on CDI's too.

The printed circut board on the relay can develop minute cracks causing intermittent electrical problems as power is interrupted.

It is ~$80 here in the US. On the 606 engines it is located in the emmissions box on the right side of the engine compartment; front most unit. Approx 10 minutes to swap new for old.

Most of us here would die for a V8 CDI......