Trac: Hansen,

On the contrary, I did not get you wrong. I perfectly understood you. Truthfully, I was only sharing a philosophy with you. This also is not to put you down or smear your intelligence: your solution to the problem is wrong. The areas you pointed out have nothing to do with what's going on. I know because I am talking from experience. Fuel pump relay and OVP! The car will NOT start. A bad fuel pump relay will initiate pre-starting operations and the engine will not turn. A bad OVP and car will not start at all. Same with the crank sensor. The problem is from the wiring harness incorrectly laced and certain procedures omitted not any that you have listed. If he is not careful, he will damage the ignition system and that will be very costly; in addition to many other units. The throttle body with the cruise-control assembly is what I would be worried about because that is a lot of money and mightn't be worth replacing (depending on the condition of the vehicle). If the harness was correctly fitted, smooth drivability should have been restored but the opposite was the result. The case got worse. On the other hand, if all was done well and the problem mentioned remains, it should take him no more than 25 minutes with a screwdriver; no jacking up of anything and no wrenches would be used. The check engine light shouldn't be cleared for it will clear itself. But this is rarely the case. Frankly, the situation will not change till the wiring loom has been addressed. This is an advance repair and many factors have to be considered in this kind of a repair. I'm not quoting from anyone but from experience working on cars. Neither am I a novice.

Your background is good; however you don't have an automotive background. Systems engineering cannot cross-over to automotive. Believe me, the science is deep (not mainstream at all), advanced math and stringent tolerances (approaches etc). I have a strong mechanical and automotive background (I will skip the details). For this reason, the "googlers" find my responses puzzling. So, I have been trained and also educated. I still make use of an automotive engineer for certain repairs and sometimes a mechanic because it is what they do for a living plus shop management is at their disposal; the job is done in a short period of time than hours that I do not have. Areas of specialty is important; this is where a professional outperforms you.

Diagnosis: how do you diagnose a system that you don't fully understand? From the above (the post before your last reply), a lot was spoken; besides being disjointed. Before working on any car, knowledge of how the car "thinks" and a basic understanding of every single sensor in the engine bay. If you understand MB's fuel loop cycle, your blunt answer would to get another mechanic. Anybody can "fix" a car; it's easy (as long as you can turn a wrench). Diagnosing and working with understanding is another subject matter. The weeds are separated from the grass at this "junction."

There are knowledgeable mechanics in Africa. They are just expensive. Nigerians will not pay extra for what they deem worth. A professional is still a professional. I can tell you first hand that I know a Nigerian automotive engineer and he is very knowledgeable about German cars but he is expensive. He guarantees his services and uses only genuine OEM. There are others like him but everyone wants cheap services.

Let me advice you: the cam positioning sensor on many Mercedes should not be touched at all. If you test and it proves to have failed, advance repair is needed as soon as possible which will require the engine to be disassembled. This isn't prominent to the C Class you drive. Nevertheless, the rule still applies. This is with Mercedes.

Secondly, leave the OVP alone. There are certain tests for that. It is meant for qualified professionals to diagnose that. When you have an OVP problem, chances are you may never know it is the OVP. A car with OVP related problems will not be spending the night with its owner. Diagnosing is not easy in this situation and in my opinion, very clumsy (if service is to be excellent). Do not disturb it as well, it is very fragile and it is air sealed. The ECU's never go bad. As a systems engineer, you are familiar with PLC's and their inherent capabilities (that should say it all). Certain things will give itself up at the expense of the ECU.

On newer Benzes, hard-coding is requires for certain replacements.


Note: This is a scripted text. Your person was not debased. If the text does seem to appear otherwise from cordial, re-read it from a different perspective.

ziccoit:

@Trac, your post made me about to reconsider the thought of purchasing a mercedes benz- C180 W202 sport. Seems Nigeria is bereft of good MB handlers and if available not ubiquitous.

matson: After ready every single post on this thread, I finally concluded my purchase of a c240, 2003 model.

I'd like to know what I should expect, when to do my first service etc.

Already, I have a faulty alternator. What's d best replacement.

Trac:

Owning a car without thoughts of how it will be maintained is unwise. These cars are good and have a lot to be appreciated for. However, if availability of parts and questionable maintenance service is what the deal is, to what good is it?

My parents ended their ownership of MB's after 2003. Their philosophy is that if no one can service it, there is no point in ownership.

Though I have never seen a C180, I don't believe there is a sport variant.

ziccoit:

@Trac, your post made me about to reconsider the thought of purchasing a mercedes benz- C180 W202 sport. Seems Nigeria is bereft of good MB handlers and if available not ubiquitous.

Trac:
Take it to your mechanic and request a P.P.I (post-purchase-inspection). A competent mechanic will do the job for you. The best replacement for the alternator is the one made by Mercedes Benz. It should have the star logo on it.

Trac:

Owning a car without thoughts of how it will be maintained is unwise. These cars are good and have a lot to be appreciated for. However, if availability of parts and questionable maintenance service is what the deal is, to what good is it?

My parents ended their ownership of MB's after 2003. Their philosophy is that if no one can service it, there is no point in ownership.

Though I have never seen a C180, I don't believe there is a sport variant.

smartchoice: w202's are lovely rides maintenance minimal so WTH! ? find a place in ASIA, German rides not meant for the fainthearted.

ziccoit:




@smartchoice na fight? Ok. Compare the two comments above and tell me which is matured and informative? By their talks you shall know them.

ziccoit:

@Trac, there is sport trim. Watch this video;

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=GgJWwBTNeGo&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGgJWwBTNeGo

ziccoit:

@Trac, your post made me about to reconsider the thought of purchasing a mercedes benz- C180 W202 sport. Seems Nigeria is bereft of good MB handlers and if available not ubiquitous.

matson: The alternator checked out fine. Had to refill the refrigerant for the AC too, and was shocked to see "Battery Under Voltage, Turn consumers off" warning. This was when AUTO button of the air con is pressed. Had to manually adjust the fan speed and everything seems to work out just fine.

I'd like to know what the normal operating temperature for this car is, cos it runs at 98^F with out the air con and around 120^F with the Air con.

Need to get coolant as well, any suggestions on the best brand/preferred available in Abuja?

smartchoice: which merc model is this?

ziccoit:

Baddest German machine.

aikerism: I bought a w202 c200 elegance last december,and the ride is serving me till today, no problems n its very very quick off the blocks. My respect stands for this germans! My qualms right now is dat I have noticed increased noise in d cabin when I put the pedal to d metal, it will be running smoothly but when I go lower n it raises the speed, the noise drowns my music and I need to take my feet off the accelerator a bit to hear my self.it wasn't like this before... What can I do to correct this? This is d car in question... My 2nd wife




Still waiting for any solution from the Guru's in da house. MB for ever!

smartchoice: The Name please?

playboy19:

Thats the 2014 Mercedes Benz S-Class

smartchoice: which merc model is this?

kuntash:

Just as I explained in my last post, the module that kicks the fan and regulates its speed is right in front of the driver's side of the front Tyre. about 5 separate wires socket hooking onto the module.

jahjehova:
my broda. Gud am. I'd also appreciate the service manual. Plz send to deleonipede@gmail.com. D one I av is german. I want 2 avoid any roadside mecho visit. Tanx bro.

jahjehova: @all: Pls I need help

I travelled to abuja where I changed my brakepads 4 d four wheels. As I was coming back, I noticed d brake pedal vibrated as I steped on it. Immediately, the ETS & ABS lights came on, The speedometer failed, cruise control dosent work anymore. Scary part is dat d lights turn off attimes but then come back on.

One mecho says its d master brake. NUEL autos say its d wheel speed sensor. Please any idea from the house?

I help ASAP. Cant imagine driving without traction control and ABS.

Service manual and owners manual also needed. Mine is german. Tanx.

I can be reached at
08060509817
deleonipede@gmail.com

pafestula: Hello my fellow Mercedes Benz users, am
also a freak to German Technologies, am
one of the fans to the manliness, I av
successfully used 2 Mercedes Benz in the
past... 190 E, 2001 model C Class, and
presently using 2009 E350, which I fondly
calls "WIZARD". With my outstanding
performances and output with Mecedes
Benz, one of my friend who is Jap auto
freak
is planning to join the Benz crew, which
he
is planning to give 1998 C Class 4
Cylinders (NIG USED) a
trial.
The questions now are:-
1. The one is planning to get has done
260,000 mileage... Any wrong signal with
that?
2. What are the possible pros and cons to
experience along the line with this
mileage?
3. The benz is well maintained by the
owner,
and he said N650k last price, though the
A/c
is working fine, auto transmission is still
good, the car has good regular service
history, pls NL is 650k good for the car?..
Please I want your views on this
questions,
before the payment next week, he took
me
to see the car, I dont want him to regret,
or
say I advised him wrongly. Thanks.. Keep
the
comments coming please.