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Mercedes-Benz C230 Problems and Repairs

218 messages,  Last post on Jan 29, 2013 at 7:02 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Auto Repair, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 8 of 22

#69 of 218 mercedes C230 1998 by ucheo

Aug 17, 2009 (1:04 pm)

Electrical problem
1998 Mercedes Benz C230 Two Wheel Drive Automatic
 
my car had an accident,
after woking on it it developed problems like
1. current seizing which makes the car not to turn on
2. bad gear selection
3.mechanics said it could be pis problem or key line problem which they said key must come with a brainbox and ignition
 
pls i am really confused and need a solution to the problem cos they car is parked down
 
thank you so much

#70 of 218 Re: Air conditioning - intermittent air flow [swycallis] by barrym

Sep 22, 2009 (8:59 am)

Replying to: swycallis (Jun 06, 2009 9:09 pm)
Steve:
This problem sounds similar to what I'm experiencing. When we pull up to a stop the temperature of the a/c air rises (probably to outside ambient.). When we drive down the road a/c seems to run ok. From your message, I suspect a bad interior air filter. But I don't know where it is (our battery is in the trunk). Any ideas?
TNX.
Barry

#71 of 218 c class wring harness by mickey40

Sep 23, 2009 (12:45 pm)

do any one know where i can find one that dont cost a arm and leg

#72 of 218 C230 will NOT start!! Help! by motheroftwo

Sep 23, 2009 (10:05 pm)

I have a 2003 C230 Kompressor. In the past 3 weeks (it hasn't started) I've changed the alternator (three times due to faulty rebuilt alternators and bad voltage regulator), so, new alternator, new voltage regulator, new battery (fully charged) and 3 weeks later my car STILL will not start. It cranks over once and that's it. I don't know where the starter is located to see if maybe that is the problem. Any ideas before I take it to the stealer???

#73 of 218 Re: C230 will NOT start!! Help! [motheroftwo] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 24, 2009 (7:40 am)

Replying to: motheroftwo (Sep 23, 2009 10:05 pm)
Okay first off you have to clarify your terms. For most of us:
 
"crank" means turning the engine over with the starter, not the actual running of the engine.
 
"start" means the actual running of the engine.
 
So, to clarify, you are saying that your engine doesn't crank fast enough, or cranks very little--it isn't being turned over by the starter motor?
 
Or are you saying it cranks and cranks and cranks but will not start?

#74 of 218 Re: C230 will NOT start!! Help! [Mr_Shiftright] by motheroftwo

Sep 24, 2009 (10:21 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 24, 2009 7:40 am)
It cranks very little. It doesn't crank over and over nor does it make any clicking sounds. When I turn the key for about a second it sounds like it's trying to start and then nothing. The car was running fine until 3 weeks ago when the new alternator was put in, turns out it was a faulty alternator, which had to be replaced and somehow my battery drained during the process, so it also has a new battery which is fully charged.

#75 of 218 Re: C230 will NOT start!! Help! [motheroftwo] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 24, 2009 (1:40 pm)

Replying to: motheroftwo (Sep 24, 2009 10:21 am)
Well okay, what I would do is jump start the car, and then test to see if the alternator is at least charging, using a simple voltmeter on the battery terminals. If it's charging, then I'd test the battery with a load test. A drained battery is often killed if it goes completely dead and even a good alternator cannot bring it back to life.
 
The starter is the last thing I'd suspect.
 
Usually a tip off to a bad starter is when you jump start the car, and even with assistance from another car, the engine barely cranks and the battery cables become too hot to touch after only a few cranks. That means the starter is dragging.
 
By all means, after testing the alternator and load-testing the battery (if it's more than 3 years old, it is suspect just from old age, and over 5 years old, definitely suspect), then make sure your battery cables are clean AND secure on both ends (that is, in all 4 places where the cables attach to something).
 
The basis for any accurate diagnosis is NEVER assume that because something is new or rebuilt, that it is good.
 

#76 of 218 Re: C230 will NOT start!! Help! [Mr_Shiftright] by motheroftwo

Sep 24, 2009 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 24, 2009 1:40 pm)
We've tried to jump start the car with two different vehicles, it BARELY cranks. We have had the battery tested twice since we got the new alternator, they keep telling me it's a good battery. I called a local MB mechanic and tried to explain the problem, he told me to lock and unlock my car 3 times to reset the car. Needless to say, it didn't work. That's the only information he gave me and told me to bring it in. I've checked all fuses, wires, no corrosion, the battery cables are clean and on tight. I have NO idea where to look now.

#77 of 218 Re: C230 will NOT start!! Help! [motheroftwo] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 24, 2009 (2:03 pm)

Replying to: motheroftwo (Sep 24, 2009 1:59 pm)
Well you can still be fooled if someone is using cheap jumper cables. Best thing to do is put a fresh battery directly in, as one last test. If it still cranked slowly, and the cables got hot real fast, then I'd go with the starter theory.
 
OR---your engine could be starting to seize.
 
Has anyone been using copious amounts of starting ether/fluid?
 
That's bind your engine (temporarily, don't freak out).
 
Starting ether is a solvent that washes all the oil off the cylinders.

#78 of 218 Re: C-230 Kompressor: 3 mechanics can't tell what's wrong [plachapelle] by paulxk1

Sep 24, 2009 (5:41 pm)

Replying to: plachapelle (May 05, 2008 10:27 am)
Change the mechanics, they are nil!
 
It is a rather common problem with the merc auto gear boxes. Most likely the conductor plate needs changing ($1,000); if you are lucky it may be just the sensor or some contamination from the radiator (may be established in the inspection).
 
Good luck

Messages Page 8 of 22

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