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  #31  
Old 06-24-2003, 12:21 PM
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Thanks Mike

At this point the complete computer box is out of the car, that is how far we went looking. And yes, I agree, I prefer the repair that you have done...much superior.

Thanks again

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A mercedes is an inanimate object and therefore must respond to logic and reason.
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  #32  
Old 06-25-2003, 11:17 AM
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Location: Florida / N.H.
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<>

A True Classic case of Wire/Connectors being 80% of the major
problems with Electronic Controlled cars..and what crazy expense and diagnostic time can be spent in finding them..
Good Techs are Underpaid....
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  #33  
Old 06-25-2003, 12:08 PM
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Speaking of being paid, who is paying for all the shop time on this baby? Mithra, have they been charging you for all of this?
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  #34  
Old 06-25-2003, 12:20 PM
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Absolutely frustrating....

It would have been very easy to slag the tech for his ability or lack thereof, but having taken the time to understand and see what he went thru.... well, what can you say.

In retrospect, a major factor that may have prolonged the whole issue, was the fact that the car was not symptomatic during the first couple of visits when the tech was working on it. SteveBfl made this point earlier in the thread.

Suprisingly enough, I did not know this, because the car had been dropped off, and I was off tending to business. I assumed that the car continued to act up even after a cooldown period.

Once I was aware of this and brought the car in ""hot", then there were real time readings that at least got us going in the right direction.

The real break came on the last visit when the MAF voltages were different, even after MAF and ECU swaps, and that the higher voltage (1.8 vs 1.2) remained on the LH2SFI side.

During the last manifestation of the symptoms, the car acted vastly differently than the other times.....the economy meter swung wildly from side to side, the engine reacted as if the accelerator was being released and floored on an semi regular basis.

I have spent so much time in the shop with the tech, there was a standing joke that I was on the payroll. But I didn't mind being a gopher, and boy did I learn alot about the MB star diagnostics and the pinout box, how to use it and decipher MB's manuals.

Yes, I got dirty stripping harness as well, but that's why we love our Benz's, right?

I'm still having a hard time believing the wacky readings that this issue gave, and some of the absolutely nonsensical cause and effects that one component can do to effect the other components.

But, thinking about the 5 (I think) bare wires at the MAF connector shorting out with each other on some irregular basis based on whatever whim the vibrations of the car and engine would present....egad.

When I get the car back, I'll drive it for a while, ensure that it is cured of it's epileptic tendencies, and then the techs, service reps, and I will empty a bottle of champagne. (maybe 2, well, maybe...)
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A mercedes is an inanimate object and therefore must respond to logic and reason.
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  #35  
Old 06-25-2003, 12:46 PM
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Waiter, check please...

Actually, at this point in time, there has been no discussion of the bill. There had been a go ahead from......MB CANADA....(yes!!!, hurray!!!) to do the substitution thing.

That is the other reason that I have maintained a long term relationship with the dealer.

The first is customer service that is second to none. Each time the issue reared it's head and I was back, the dealership gave me a car (new demo), no questions asked, even though they know that I without fail, will put on 1500 to 2000 miles in a week.

On the long weekend in May, when the car acted up, I called to arrange for the float, the general manager took time out of his day to come and pick up my wife and bring her to her appointment (couple of hours out of his day on a Saturday).

Another reason that I have stuck with the dealer is the parts pricing......Do What!!??!!..... Any of the parts that were replaced, the service rep gave me the part number. The dealer's price to me was equivalent or lower than the price that I could get elsewhere (Sorry, Phil). And this was before MB stepped in.

The parts that are not needed will be removed, nor did I have to front for them, but I did keep track of the potential cost for each item.

There was also discussion about diagnostic time, and the dealership also indicated that they would be more than reasonable.

Overall, its hard for me to be the least bit negative about this dealership and MB.
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A mercedes is an inanimate object and therefore must respond to logic and reason.

Last edited by mithra; 07-01-2003 at 10:40 AM.
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  #36  
Old 07-01-2003, 10:52 AM
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Got her back...testing begins

The tech worked late friday and came in early Monday(yesterday) to finish the job after the parts arrived on Friday. I had 200 miles on the car by last night, and apparently all is well at this point. I kind of think that the techs and service reps will be glad to see this solved finally. I looked in the rear view mirror as I pulled out of the dealership and saw...4 techs, 2 service reps, and 1 GM standing and waving goodbye...I think they were cheering!

In all seriousness, it's unfortunate that it took so long to find the root cause (I hope), but I'll drive it for a couple or three weeks to make sure that it is fixed before I break out the champagne.

Thanks to all for comments, suggestions and support.
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Mithra

93 sl600
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A mercedes is an inanimate object and therefore must respond to logic and reason.
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  #37  
Old 07-05-2003, 11:34 PM
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Un F@&*ing believable...

I'm starting to get p*$$ed.

I've got just about 1000 miles on the MAF sensor harness repair, and had to get my friendly neighbourhood towing co. to float the car back to the dealer.

Gentlemen, I need your help. What component or device would cause this regular intermittent problem? And usually after a distance of about 800 to 1000 miles?

Same symptoms, I just don't know what to think anymore.

I'm starting to think that the car needs a remote detonator.
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Mithra

93 sl600
93 600sel

A mercedes is an inanimate object and therefore must respond to logic and reason.
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  #38  
Old 09-13-2003, 12:43 PM
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Update.....Situation Solved (for me).....

The car has been in the dealer's shop since my last post. It is still not running, no one... the dealer, MB Canada, and whomever else they have contacted, has been able to solve the problem.

I had a discussion with the dealership GM and suggested that "if MB Canada and his dealership" were comfortable with the state of affairs regarding their combined ability to repair their flagship car.............

The dealer purchased both of the 600s from us. We felt that if they can't fix the one car, they probably can't fix the other.

The dealer was doing "damage control" regarding his reputation.

We are exceedingly disappointed regarding the apparent inability of the dealership and MB Canada, and their associated tech support groups, to repair what was once considered one of the world's finest cars.

In any case, thanks for the help and support in the past, and we wish all members the best.
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Mithra

93 sl600
93 600sel

A mercedes is an inanimate object and therefore must respond to logic and reason.
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  #39  
Old 09-13-2003, 03:01 PM
it leaks, its german
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: raleigh nc
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I saw something very similar to this a few years back on a early 104 in a CE. The EGR valve was getting stuck open when the car did a extended run at highway speed. Slow down and BOOM! the thing would hardly run, huge internal vacumm leak. Cats glowing, etc... Once the manifold cooled and the EGR valve cooled it would snap shut and run perfect. This was a dumb luck diagnosis as the thing came in "hot" (to borrow your terms) and I happened to smack the valve with a hammer and it instanly straightened out. (jap sleds had a lot of issues with egr's, picked that one up piddeling on mazdas) I disconnected the valve, sent the guy out on a run with a vacum guage on the switchover valve (to double check the venting on decel) and ended up replacing the valve.

Of course the later 104's do the exact oposite and plug the egr tubes. LOL


Joe

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