Car (96 E320) crapped out today. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #16 03-26-2008, 03:02 PM

Yeah nothing is going to be cheap at the dealer. But a new one is $55k, so its still cheaper than a new one.

#17 03-26-2008, 03:24 PM

There are dozens of shops in metro ATL to set you straight.

Taking a 12-year-old car to the dealer for service is a poor idea, IMO.

Mistress · #18 03-26-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunagen Labs

The neutral safety switch probably should be changed, but apparently that's not it. Also the shifter doesn't squeak, what would it mean if it did?

Current word is that cycle module went bad. Another 480 (280 part, 200 labor). That'll put this repair over a grand.

Now I'm seriously questioning keeping this car. It had a $1,000+ repair bill the end of '06, ran perfect until the spring perch broke in late August, fixed that and replaced the whole front suspension, ran perfect until now. So I guess if there's one or two major repairs a year, I'm still well under the cost of any remotely comparable car.

Still cheaper than a new car........

EricSilver · #19 03-26-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunagen Labs

The neutral safety switch probably should be changed, but apparently that's not it.

Current word is that cycle module went bad. Another 480 (280 part, 200 labor). That'll put this repair over a grand.

How do they know the neutral safety switch is not the cause? And why did they not determine the cycle module went bad in the first round of expensive repairs?

It's possible the dealer has no idea what is wrong, and is simply throwing expensive solutions at it until they find something that works. I bet they will try the NSW last, and that will be it.

Johnhef · #20 03-26-2008, 08:40 PM

What are they calling a "cycle module"?? Part #?

What about Jonathan (www.blueridgemb.com)? If I lived down there and needed my car fixed, I'd be taking it to him. I do wonder if he works on newer cars though.

Lunagen Labs · #21 03-26-2008, 09:06 PM

The service manager said the 'cycle module' is what feeds power to the ignition, but the ignition isn't getting any power.

I don't doubt that the battery cable corroded off, the car has seen a lot of salty roads. The brake switch isn't a big deal. I'd hope that if they put this module in and it doesn't fix it, they'd eat the cost and find the real problem.

I'm really curious to find out what really went wrong and why. If it's something that happened because of something they did, that's a whole new deal.

Ocean View · #22 03-27-2008, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunagen Labs

The neutral safety switch probably should be changed, but apparently that's not it. Also the shifter doesn't squeak, what would it mean if it did?

Current word is that cycle module went bad. Another 480 (280 part, 200 labor). That'll put this repair over a grand.

Now I'm seriously questioning keeping this car. It had a $1,000+ repair bill the end of '06, ran perfect until the spring perch broke in late August, fixed that and replaced the whole front suspension, ran perfect until now. So I guess if there's one or two major repairs a year, I'm still well under the cost of any remotely comparable car.

The squeek is a result of a worn out bushing at the tranmission.
If it wears out, it causes squeeking sound as it touches other metal.
I believe it also shorts out the neutral safety switch which will not let your car start.

Hopefully you will get your car fixed without costing too much.

Lunagen Labs · #23 03-27-2008, 07:20 PM

Gilly wins! Whatever the cycle module is, it wasn't the problem, so wasn't replaced. The ignition switch WAS bad and was replaced. Car seems fine now, after a grand. I can post what's on the invoice if anyone's curious.

My feelings about this dealer, RBM of Sandy Springs are kinda mixed at the moment.
+ Their people treated me really well, even though I certainly don't fit the image of most of their clientele.
+ When the car wasn't ready when they said it would be, they set me up with one of their nice C230 Sport loaner cars.
- After all the trouble washing the car caused, it's a mediocre wash job. Some spots and streaks, and some kind of super-bling tire shine slopped on.
- Dirty hand prints on the knee bolster under the driver's-side dash.
~ Very oddly, I think they changed the mechanical cooling fan. I can't be 100% sure, but it just doesn't look like I remember it. Maybe they accidentally broke it, and replaced it. Still, seems like they'd mention something like that.
~ It seems like they made the assumption that the problem was a part that's more expensive than the part that was actually bad. Can't really make a judgement on this one. Maybe that's just the order of things in the manual. Still, it seems like you'd start small and work up.