My Dealership experience
08-02-2014, 05:44 PM
#1
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'00 Mercedes 430/55 clk cabriolet
My Dealership experience
It all started 2 1/2 months ago...
My car showed symptoms of conductor plate failure by going into limp home mode (stuck in 2nd gear) occasionally.
I took it to my local Indie next to my work and they diagnosed oil in the loom meaning a new plate with updated seal was needed. They said oil had traveled along the loom but didn't look like it had reached my TCU.
I had a new conductor plate and seal fitted, but 2 days later it went into limp home mode again!
The Indie said that even though he cleaned the loom as best he could oil had seeped down and contaninated my TCU. He cleaned the TCU with electrical cleaner and toothbrush and plugged it back in, my car wouldn't start!.. Taking another look at the TCU he noticed small corrosion deposits and cleaned it again, this time the car didn't acknowledge the TCU and STAR said to replace TCU!
The garage foreman pulls out a small collection of Mercedes TCUs which he keeps around. A W220 S Class 500 the same year as my car is tried to see if it's his STAR machine or my car why my TCU cannot be detected. Amazingly the S class TCU starts and runs my car!
I order a new TCU from Mercedes who use my chassis number to confirm the right one. My car is pushed next door into my works gated car park while I wait for my new TCU which is plug and play the Mercedes parts department say.
New TCU arrives 5 days later, I plug it in as it's supposed to be plug n play, but nothing. My car doesn't turn over!
Going back to Mercedes they say the TCU needs coding but it has to be on the car to be done.
I call a Tow truck and for the same date book my car in with the dealership where I ordered my TCU close to my work. Days later my car is towed to the dealership. Mercedes say they need to scan the car for codes, I say just code the TCU. Mercedes say it's part of the diagnosis so I let them.
Next day the dealership call to say they can't work on my car because it's not in it's standard specification! I ask what they mean? They say you have added modifications to the engine which isn't in it's standard form!
...Now they knew about my engine conversion beforehand as I had told the service attendant about it to cover my bases so there's no confusion as to parts!..
I have to pay for an hours labour as well as take my car back on a trailer because they refused to do anything more to it!
I book my car in with another dealer near my house and have the car towed over, this time negating the matter of my conversion!
On the booked day hours later they call to say they cannot code my TCU and to take it back to the original Mercedes dealer I bought the part from for a refund as they think there is a problem with it. They cannot return parts they haven't ordered!
Frantic phone calls later the 2nd dealer near home says he'll order a new TCU but I still have to pay for it and get a refund from the 1st dealer under a faulty part warranty, which I agree.
New TCU comes in 5 days later but cannot be coded! Dealer says there has to be a problem with my car!
I give permission for them to further examine my electrical harness and they begin to tear the car down looking for breaks in the wiring or loose connections. A week later they have found nothing!
I remembered about the S Class TCU starting my car and mention this, I phone the Indie asking to borrow his TCU, which I take to the dealers.
A week later the dealer phones me to say a 3rd TCU has been ordered for my car as the previous ones were blank, the German factory has put their hand up to say that they have been having coding issues and didn't realise. Back in the day TCUs would have been factory coded, but now they download the coding from the factory uploading it into the car. My part number cannot do this and so when updates were done over the years my TCU wasn't included. My new TCU will have the same part number, but will have 26 added to the end of it signifying that it has been factory coded!
Unfortunately it will take 2 weeks as it's a special job to take a part off the shelf and have it coded with my vin!
2 weeks later I get a call to say my car is now running, but badly, it won't idle. The service leader thinks it has to do with my LPG system, he says he's done what he can and my car needs to be taken to a specialist in that field. My car has changed gear in a short car park drive and there are no concerning error codes.
A few days later I go down to the dealership to see for myself what the problem is.
My car starts but cuts out after a second, it smells like it's over fuelling and there's a rotten egg smell from the exhaust!
I realise that my LPG system is off and point that out. The service leader says maybe I have an air leak somewhere? He says he'll get someone to check it out tomorrow as the day is nearly over.
A few days later I haven't heard any news. I log on to MBWorld and do a search for my cars symptoms.
God bless you all that have contributed to this wonderful forum over the years!...
I call the dealership to ask if the MAS is ok as sometimes when they go there's no codes thrown.
The next day I get a call in the afternoon to say my car is all fixed, I needed a new MAS, they did another fault read and the MAS came up which hadn't before!
As I'm paying I ask what happened to good old fashioned fault diagnosis by elimination, all these problems should have been dealt with sooner. The service leader says there are no mechanics anymore and they have technicians who plug the cars in, read the fault codes, then replace that part!
If that's the case then thankyou all on the forum for helping me through the past few weeks, I've been reading up on all sorts of problems and solutions!
My car showed symptoms of conductor plate failure by going into limp home mode (stuck in 2nd gear) occasionally.
I took it to my local Indie next to my work and they diagnosed oil in the loom meaning a new plate with updated seal was needed. They said oil had traveled along the loom but didn't look like it had reached my TCU.
I had a new conductor plate and seal fitted, but 2 days later it went into limp home mode again!
The Indie said that even though he cleaned the loom as best he could oil had seeped down and contaninated my TCU. He cleaned the TCU with electrical cleaner and toothbrush and plugged it back in, my car wouldn't start!.. Taking another look at the TCU he noticed small corrosion deposits and cleaned it again, this time the car didn't acknowledge the TCU and STAR said to replace TCU!
The garage foreman pulls out a small collection of Mercedes TCUs which he keeps around. A W220 S Class 500 the same year as my car is tried to see if it's his STAR machine or my car why my TCU cannot be detected. Amazingly the S class TCU starts and runs my car!
I order a new TCU from Mercedes who use my chassis number to confirm the right one. My car is pushed next door into my works gated car park while I wait for my new TCU which is plug and play the Mercedes parts department say.
New TCU arrives 5 days later, I plug it in as it's supposed to be plug n play, but nothing. My car doesn't turn over!
Going back to Mercedes they say the TCU needs coding but it has to be on the car to be done.
I call a Tow truck and for the same date book my car in with the dealership where I ordered my TCU close to my work. Days later my car is towed to the dealership. Mercedes say they need to scan the car for codes, I say just code the TCU. Mercedes say it's part of the diagnosis so I let them.
Next day the dealership call to say they can't work on my car because it's not in it's standard specification! I ask what they mean? They say you have added modifications to the engine which isn't in it's standard form!
...Now they knew about my engine conversion beforehand as I had told the service attendant about it to cover my bases so there's no confusion as to parts!..
I have to pay for an hours labour as well as take my car back on a trailer because they refused to do anything more to it!
I book my car in with another dealer near my house and have the car towed over, this time negating the matter of my conversion!
On the booked day hours later they call to say they cannot code my TCU and to take it back to the original Mercedes dealer I bought the part from for a refund as they think there is a problem with it. They cannot return parts they haven't ordered!
Frantic phone calls later the 2nd dealer near home says he'll order a new TCU but I still have to pay for it and get a refund from the 1st dealer under a faulty part warranty, which I agree.
New TCU comes in 5 days later but cannot be coded! Dealer says there has to be a problem with my car!
I give permission for them to further examine my electrical harness and they begin to tear the car down looking for breaks in the wiring or loose connections. A week later they have found nothing!
I remembered about the S Class TCU starting my car and mention this, I phone the Indie asking to borrow his TCU, which I take to the dealers.
A week later the dealer phones me to say a 3rd TCU has been ordered for my car as the previous ones were blank, the German factory has put their hand up to say that they have been having coding issues and didn't realise. Back in the day TCUs would have been factory coded, but now they download the coding from the factory uploading it into the car. My part number cannot do this and so when updates were done over the years my TCU wasn't included. My new TCU will have the same part number, but will have 26 added to the end of it signifying that it has been factory coded!
Unfortunately it will take 2 weeks as it's a special job to take a part off the shelf and have it coded with my vin!
2 weeks later I get a call to say my car is now running, but badly, it won't idle. The service leader thinks it has to do with my LPG system, he says he's done what he can and my car needs to be taken to a specialist in that field. My car has changed gear in a short car park drive and there are no concerning error codes.
A few days later I go down to the dealership to see for myself what the problem is.
My car starts but cuts out after a second, it smells like it's over fuelling and there's a rotten egg smell from the exhaust!
I realise that my LPG system is off and point that out. The service leader says maybe I have an air leak somewhere? He says he'll get someone to check it out tomorrow as the day is nearly over.
A few days later I haven't heard any news. I log on to MBWorld and do a search for my cars symptoms.
God bless you all that have contributed to this wonderful forum over the years!...
I call the dealership to ask if the MAS is ok as sometimes when they go there's no codes thrown.
The next day I get a call in the afternoon to say my car is all fixed, I needed a new MAS, they did another fault read and the MAS came up which hadn't before!
As I'm paying I ask what happened to good old fashioned fault diagnosis by elimination, all these problems should have been dealt with sooner. The service leader says there are no mechanics anymore and they have technicians who plug the cars in, read the fault codes, then replace that part!
If that's the case then thankyou all on the forum for helping me through the past few weeks, I've been reading up on all sorts of problems and solutions!
08-03-2014, 06:39 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Honestly, that's about what I would expect from a dealership. That's not a knock on dealer wrenches. Every wrench who has touched my car has done a fantastic job, but they typically indentify and replace subsystems. That's a lot different than repairing cars, as it was done in the old days. If a subsystem is made up of three components, unless the electronic diagnosis clearly states which of the three parts is defective, the entire subsystem is replaced. If the car has been modified, many wrenches would prefer not to work on it (unless its strictly hourly). That's because their pay is basically based on the job, and it's a game of beat the clock. If they're paid to do a 4 hour service and they knock it out in 2.5 hours, they're paid for the whole 4 (meaning you pay for the whole 4) and they can start a new job. If they have to deviate from a standard job, learn what changes have been made, and determine if those changes may impact the failing subsystem, they can forget about beating the clock. The same is true if someone has previously tried to fix it. They have to look at whats been done, assess whether that has impacted anything else, and then move forward. Sorry to hear it took forever to get your car fixed and I can sympathize, the agg factor was probably mind numbing.
08-04-2014, 04:44 AM
#3
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'00 Mercedes 430/55 clk cabriolet
Marcus, what you said is SO true!
I didn't realise the inner workings of the workshop until you put it in perspective. I was very disappointed with the service given, I didn't even get a loan car! When I eventually asked for one I was told that I would have to be put on a list and the waiting time is 2 weeks, if you can believe that!
It goes to show you're better off with an Indie unless you absolutely need the dealership!
I didn't realise the inner workings of the workshop until you put it in perspective. I was very disappointed with the service given, I didn't even get a loan car! When I eventually asked for one I was told that I would have to be put on a list and the waiting time is 2 weeks, if you can believe that!
It goes to show you're better off with an Indie unless you absolutely need the dealership!
08-04-2014, 09:39 AM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Last and only time I took my car to dealer service for a slightly rough idle they told me I needed all new cats and 02 sensors for about $3200. There were no codes or lights displayed BTW. I said no thanks, and proceeded with my own diagnosis and troubleshooting. Ultimately I think it was a clogged vacuum passage from the intake manifold causing the issue. I even replaced the exhaust and sensors (with low mileage used parts) finding no change.
Needless to say, I will never go back to dealer service again. I really just wanted them to program my car so that the alarm beeps when locking and unlocking, which I did and paid the "diagnostic" fee of $150.
I think they had one guy look at it for 10 minutes and he said "throw a big bill at him and he will go away" because their computers would not tell them anything and they don't know how to diagnose properly as said before. I'm just wondering what they would have done after replacing all that stuff for $3200 and there was no difference. I would be stuck holding the bill and they would probably say it needed something else that it did not.
Needless to say, I will never go back to dealer service again. I really just wanted them to program my car so that the alarm beeps when locking and unlocking, which I did and paid the "diagnostic" fee of $150.
I think they had one guy look at it for 10 minutes and he said "throw a big bill at him and he will go away" because their computers would not tell them anything and they don't know how to diagnose properly as said before. I'm just wondering what they would have done after replacing all that stuff for $3200 and there was no difference. I would be stuck holding the bill and they would probably say it needed something else that it did not.
08-05-2014, 10:10 PM
#5
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2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
I just helped a buddy out recently with a ML 430, in limp mode.
I attacked the conductor plate and confirmed leaking interface connector.
no luck
Without star he had to go to an indy whom replaced the TCU which was flashed at the dealer prior to installing.
The prior TCU was from the wrong vehicle. He still had issues and ended up installing a shifter as well.
Shifting like a champ now.
I cant believe all the runaround received above most dealerships are a pleasure to visit. hmmm
Gator
I attacked the conductor plate and confirmed leaking interface connector.
no luck
Without star he had to go to an indy whom replaced the TCU which was flashed at the dealer prior to installing.
The prior TCU was from the wrong vehicle. He still had issues and ended up installing a shifter as well.
Shifting like a champ now.
I cant believe all the runaround received above most dealerships are a pleasure to visit. hmmm
Gator
Last edited by GatorMB; 08-05-2014 at 10:14 PM.
08-07-2014, 04:15 AM
#6
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'00 Mercedes 430/55 clk cabriolet
GatorMB
You and your friend were lucky. In fact I think it's luck of the draw who you get that services your car!
Years ago (I'm talking 7) there were old school techs who had the Savvy to diagnose the old way using modern tools to help them. My engine conversion was done by a Mercedes dealer. The techs saw it as a challenge as this hadn't been performed in the UK before!
Marcus pointed out the inner workings of the modern workshop have changed drastically. My lead serviceman had worked for Honda before switching to Mercedes not too long before I'm guessing as when I told him about the conductor plate issue and that it is an inherent older Mercedes problem, he said he knew nothing of conductor plates and that he'll ask one of the workshop technicians. He also seemed to know little about mechanics.
I still say you'd be better off with an indie. The indie I go to used to work for Mercedes years ago. Maybe that's where the old school techs went, they now own indie garages!
You and your friend were lucky. In fact I think it's luck of the draw who you get that services your car!
Years ago (I'm talking 7) there were old school techs who had the Savvy to diagnose the old way using modern tools to help them. My engine conversion was done by a Mercedes dealer. The techs saw it as a challenge as this hadn't been performed in the UK before!
Marcus pointed out the inner workings of the modern workshop have changed drastically. My lead serviceman had worked for Honda before switching to Mercedes not too long before I'm guessing as when I told him about the conductor plate issue and that it is an inherent older Mercedes problem, he said he knew nothing of conductor plates and that he'll ask one of the workshop technicians. He also seemed to know little about mechanics.
I still say you'd be better off with an indie. The indie I go to used to work for Mercedes years ago. Maybe that's where the old school techs went, they now own indie garages!
