New C230 but with a few minor probs
 

I just got a 1998 C230 and love it to death. However it does have a few problems

1.Trunk release next to the shift knob is broken...is it replacable...[this is a minor issue]

2. Driver side seat adjustment- Every once in a while it stops working...any easy fixes for it, or does it need to be replaced?

3. For some reason if the a/c is on and the engine is idling, the engine will start to click. It will stop once the a/c is turned off, I have a feeling its from the kompressor...any ideas?

4. The LCD Display for the A/c goes crazy, but once you tap it, it works fine, any fixes for this also?

5. The CD changer for some reason keeps jamming whever I put in 1 magazine. When I put in the other magazine that I have, it cycles through all the CD's and then says NO CD, and goes back to radio.

These are all minor problems, I hope

Help me out if you can


Robin

If you search you will find some answers on some of these. I can tell you about the ones I know. There is a common problem with a relay that causes the seats to itermittantly stop working. However, the symptom is that it affects both seats. If you have one working and one not then it would not be the relay.

As for the AC display, I found the best fix is tap on the glass pretty hard with your finger. This works much better than just pressing here or there. Also mine acts up less now that the weather is cooler. Only real fix I know of is change out the unit, about 450.00 I think.

Mike

thanks mpolli,

I did do a search for the seat, the seat is only automatic on the driver side, the passenger side is manual, but when i did a search, i was still unsure about which relay it was.

The problem with the cd changer, i can not find a definate answer also.

The climate control display problem is probably caused by a ribbon cable inside the unit that has come up a little causing it to get loose. Open it up and you'll easily see the large ribbon cable going to the display section. Push it down all the way.
Good Luck, Dan

Had the same problem when i bought my CD player ( used ).
Took it out, dropped it off at my friendly M-B dealer, who sent it to his " regular audio man ".
Two weeks & $ 200.00 bucks later it worked just fine.
Apparently it was " mishandled " in transit from the seller to me. :(

hrm, debating on whether to just get a ipod/itrip if it costs that much, i really don't use cd's that much...kind of wish it could play mp3 cd's.

I have seen many theories about the display. Since I have not opened it up I cannot say for sure, but it definitely acts like the polymeric (rubber) connectors (conductive rubber connectors commonly used on LCD displays) are not getting good contact all the time. (press on the bezel or glass and it will make the problem come and go). These are sandwiched between the PCB and the LCD. Could be a little tricky to fix which is why I have left mine alone. I don't know of anyone who has actually taken one apart to fix it. My tapping trick works pretty well for me so for me that is that. As for the relay, you can remove the whole carpet piece from the trunk. This is also handy for cleaning. Just grab it and pull it out. Then you will see this lone relay over on the passenger side behind the rear seat. That is the one that needs its pins resoldered. You will have to find your local McGiver if you don't know how to solder (or just buy a new one).

Mike

Engine clicking w/ AC
 

Hey, Robin,

I have the year previous to yours and am very pleased with it. See my thread "In praise of older W202s" in the Featured Cars section. When I first bought it and signed up here, one of the posters -- Michael Kerley, I think -- commented that it was "the world's most luxurious compact car."

I have had almost no troubles with mine after a year and some 12K miles. However, I did have to replace the a/c compressor last July. It was clicking/rattling, much as you describe. It still cooled. A poster here suggested it also might be that the mounts for the compressor unit simply needed to be replaced or tightened, so you should check that too. But my regular Benz mechanic, who worked on my W126 for several years and always tried to *save* me money, diagnosed the compressor as on its way out. It was the original factory unit, and had been giving excellent service for 59K miles over 7.5 years -- in other words, lots of city driving -- in vicious NO heat.

So I had him replace it, with a new unit, not a rebuilt, since he felt the rebuilts didn't last very long. The tab came to just under $1000 for parts and labor combined. Ouch, I know, but I need my A/C, and the unit should last for years and years more.

Otherwise, the car is solid, supple but firm-riding, easy to service -- and you've let somebody else take the depreciation hit, so you're ahead. Fix the minor things and drive the little beast like you stole it.

Well, My father is a mercedes technician, but He is 300mi away, so I figured i can get some of the stuff done my self, but it looks like i'll be bothering him soon then ;-)

To take the front driver door panel off a matter of taking off a screw, or does something else need to be done?

You have to remove the little ABS badge, there is a screw under there. Also pry off the door handle cover and there is a screw or 2 under there. I took a wooden paint stir stick and sanded the end to a chisle edge and used that to pry the cover off without marring the vinyl. The dealer book says to use a special plastic tool but this worked perfectly for me. Also remove the littlke trim piece around the door latch held with one small phillips screw. Thats how I remember it from last year.

Mike

Thanks mike, My dad left the seat control hanging out and I thought I would put it back in, but I wasn't sure on how to take off the panel, I'll try it today and see how it goes.