E320 Stalls After Idling For 15 Minutes - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MarekW · #31 07-05-2003, 10:42 AM

I belive in you guys.

Please help

stevebfl · #32 07-05-2003, 11:42 AM

if the dealer says its an 80% chance and you have all the risk. You are in the wrong shop. A dealer/tech needs to stand behind such testing even though getting the odds any better than 80% is probably unrealistic.

Let me try to tell you why. First as I said there is no way to test the controller except as to end function. Just because the final output is wrong doesn't necessarily mean it is software or hardware related.

The way it works in the shop is that a tech using standard procedures and good logic starts to think he has a controller problem. he hypothisizes logical testing and in an hour or so he has the sheet you posted and the 80% answer. Now he could do a couple more hours testing and get the risk factor to 85%, now he could do 4-5 hours more testing (if he is smart enough and has the techniques) and he might achieve 88% risk factor. If you understand that labor has value (by the hour) then the smart tech does the least amount of testing that gives the highest initial risk factor. Then HE (the shop) takes the risk. He wins by charging more time than it takes and having judged the odds correctly. Since there is no amount of testing that assures the absolute answer some amount of this technique has to take place.

If the shop can't live with the level of risk they can establish then they shift the risk to you and the level of testing all of a sudden doesn't matter to the tech/shop.

I really don't know what to tell you if you can't find a shop that takes responsibility for their diagnostics. My main job in my shop with 8 technicians is establishing risk and taking it!! My techs can do so to a point but high dollar controllers always await my deciding when we are going to take the risk. I tell the customer that testing says this and I need that much approval. if I'm wrong we now have a "known good controller" for the next time. If I'm right the customer has spent the least amount necessary to get their problem repaired.

If they think at some point that they wish to use my data from testing to take the risk I bill for the testing and am done. NO warrantee till the job is complete. And no parts paid for that aren't needed!

MarekW · #33 07-05-2003, 12:06 PM

Steve

I like your approach how you deal with customers and how you take the risk if necessary.

They called me yesterday and said that possibly it is not the computer.

They partially disconnected the crank positioning sensor and the car runs better , they suspect it might be something wrong there.

Is it possible that my cranc positioniong sensor is the problem?

I am in a dificult situation because here we only have one MB dealer and I do not know any other mechanic that has the equipment to connect the round plug to my car for diagnostics.

MarekW · #34 07-06-2003, 02:55 PM

Is it possible that my problem has something to do with the lack of air bags in front ?

Thank you

MarekW · #35 07-07-2003, 08:24 PM

Please give me some answears

benzthere · #36 07-07-2003, 10:23 PM

I had a similar problem with my '98 E320. Search using my login name to find the thread about my stalling problem. It ended up being the knock sensor. I saw no DTCs with a simple scanner, but my mechanic caught it with his scanner after several visits. He also contacted a MB factory rep. about the problem. The MB rep. said that they are seeing more knock sensors fail on the older w210s.

I'm no mechanic, so I imagine I'm only confusing the issue for you.

MarekW · #37 07-07-2003, 11:44 PM

Thank you benzthere

I will mention this to the mechanics at the MB dealer.
Your car was driving but mine does not drive yet

stevebfl · #38 07-08-2003, 08:00 AM

Ya lost me, with the airbag question.

MarekW · #39 07-08-2003, 09:08 AM

There is no airbags in my car , would it have anything to do with my car not running or driving or it absolutely nothing to do with the air bags?

Does it sound like crank sensor problem?

Does it sound like knock sensor problem?

My car still does not drive and backfires stalls after pressing on gas

MarekW · #40 07-08-2003, 02:02 PM

Problem solved

You will not belive what was the problem.

They found moisture in the crankshaft positioning sensor, I am a happy camper.

The car is like new with only 13000 miles.

Thank you to everybody that helped or tried to help.
Greatly appreciated.

Hopfully one day I can help somone.