SBC Warranty Extended to 25 Years!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 08-28-2018, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Moving the car around is still a valid test.

Does it look like a recent install? I'm wondering if there is a car side problem / version coding issue making it go red.

Long peddle travel would be normal otherwise the back up system would be engaging in regular operation.

How did this compare to a regular system that lost power assist? ( RE: like moving a non SBC car around that isn't running. )

Still worth scanning for codes as a data point.

There are a lot of emotional threads around concerning the SBC, real data is needed.

The SBC module could have been installed by someone that did not know what they were doing, and maybe the system just needs to be bled. It looks like fresh brake fluid around the fittings. The pedal travel is abnormal in my opinion, but it does stop with little pedal force. I only felt the brakes the few feet I drove it, so I have no idea how it would feel/stop on the road. I could still scan for codes......Rich

shertex · #2 08-29-2018, 06:32 AM

I fail to see how this extended warranty is "insanity." This is a special case and a bit of a PR nightmare for MB. Seems like a nice goodwill gesture.

However I do agree with what someone said somewhere that there won't be many of these systems for MB to deal with at the 25 year mark. I can assure them, though, that, barring my totaling my car, they will have to deal with MINE.

97 SL320 · #3 08-29-2018, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

I fail to see how this extended warranty is "insanity." This is a special case and a bit of a PR nightmare for MB. Seems like a nice goodwill gesture.

I have never seen an auto maker warranty anything for 25 years / unlimited miles. Regular braking systems are not warranted this long making this insanity.

Any of the bad PR is generated by those with little real data , emotional responses and the inability to deal with loss of power assist.

Perception is everything, I remember in the 70's / 80's when GM lost a law suit because Chevy engines went into Buicks ( there was lots of engine swapping so there were probably many other suits. )

https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/15/archives/article-4-no-title-engine-swaps-innocent-to-gm-but-sinful-to.html

https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/28/us/jury-orders-gm-to-pay-10000-in-switch-of-engines.html

People are expecting aircraft levels of reliability with minimal to no maintenance. The SBC's cycle count attempts to accomplish this but drivers resist replacing a part when it times out. Or even worse, lumping a brake light switch failure into the cycle count lock out.

With cars being much more reliable than in the 70's and 80's , fewer people experience the loss of power steering / power braking and are unable to cope with this in more modern cars.

I'm involved in a repair of a full sized pickup truck where most of the electrical system shuts off due to an electrical fault. The driver ( 30 something ) claims the steering " locks up and can't be turned " when the engine stalls. This truck has electric power steering and ,while the steering is stiff, it can still be steered just not with one finger.

I'd be willing to speculate that those claiming " total loss of brakes " are normally driving with tips of toes and push the peddle the normal distance but no farther during a SBC failure. RE: They are selecting braking force by peddle distance not foot pressure.

ROLLGUY · #4 08-29-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

.................................... I can assure them, though, that, barring my totaling my car, they will have to deal with MINE.

Mine as well. I have at least three cars with SBC that I am "responsible" for, so I am sure the dealer will see one or more of them for SBC work before the year 2028.

markg612 · #5 08-31-2018, 12:33 AM

Actual letter from MB attached in my post in this thread. . .

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/394770-sbc-warrany-extension-part-2-a.html