bernard farquar

I just got my car back from the specialty indy I use sometimes. I have had the white "brake system visit workshop" message, with no other symptoms. I replaced the brake switch, and had the system bled, as well as new pads front and rear installed.

The code they get is c249f, and the description is "fault code shows that operating time of a7/3 (hydraulic unit) is exceeded."

How much grief is a dealer going to give me about replacing this under warranty? Is this the slam-dunk "it's covered" failure?

I am trying to get my duck in a row before I start the process at the stealership.

konigstiger

http://www.revtronic.com/index.php?o...=97&Itemid=163 Dealer should replace unit at no cost referencing extended warranty https://mbworld.org/forums/3346369-post157.html

bernard farquar

Here is an update, for anyone who has this issue in the future. (and they will) I took my car into Phil Smart Mercedes, after having an independent garage pull the code. I was pleasantly surprised to encounter no resistance, no B.S. "other cause" for the code, and the unit was replaced for no charge. The new unit does look slightly different, as it has a cylinder coming out of the valve unit horizontally toward the rear of the car, just above the accumulator.

I said "I guess I'm good for another ten years" when we were doing the paperwork, and the service advisor told me that the new units are improved, and should last much longer. Does anyone know if there is any truth to that? Are the second generation replacements more robust than the originals? Anyone have a replacement fail yet?

gnma

Thanks for sharing. So if I understand correctly, you were fortunate enough to get a message which stated the SBC unit has exceeded its operating time, and you were wise enough to take it to the dealer and the unit was replaced free of charge.

It is interesting, and your story appears to be a rare case because I don't think the unfortunate owners here who have experienced total brake failure, ever received such a warning. I think u're very lucky.

I wonder what the $$$ will be once the warranty expires (starting next year I suppose for the '03's)....

bernard farquar

actually, what I got was the white message "Brake-service brake visit workshop" which is a pretty common message, and through searching this forum, I found that it could be a brake light switch (which I changed to no avail) or something more. Since I have a trust deficit with dealerships in general, I paid to have the code retrieved from a european specialty shop that has a star diagnostic system, and could pull the actual code, which was the above mentioned "time exceeded" code. I then took that information (that I paid 110.00 diagnostic time for) to the dealer.

I felt it better to arrive with the answer already in hand, so I had some ammunition if they decided to try to tell me it was not a covered failure.

vettdvr

So should I expect my SBC to fail again? The FSS has TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE STOP when mine failed the first time. The car was put on a flat bed wrecker. The dealer replaced the SBC system at 80,000 or so miles. Now at 117,00 will it fail again ? Should I expect to have to pay $$$$ for this to be replaced a 2nd time?

paulv

Hi vettdvr,

I'm wondering when the 10-yr warranty starts because I have another year to go before my E320 is 10 yrs old. Did your 10 yr warranty start when the SBC was changed out?

BTW, your cost symbol "$$$$" has the correct number of digit places that correspond to the final cost of SBC replacement!!

Regards,

paul...

bernard farquar

It is ten years from when the car was first delivered. Mine expires in November of this year, because my car was originally purchased in November of 2002.

paulv

That's what I thought but wasn't sure -- thx.

Regards,
paul...

konigstiger

Correct 10 years/unlimited mileage from initial factory warranty start date.

bernard farquar

So, has anyone had a replacement fail? Or are they in fact an improved design, as the service advisor stated?

navi243

I have just had the dreaded warning and I received C249F as the code from the dealer. The local Dealership was unwilling to fully assist me with this, and unwilling to initiate a claim with Mercedes USA. As they said I was 12 day past the 10 year mark.

By the time the dealer had availability (1 week after my call) to see my car I was 12 DAYS past the 10 year mark and the dealer basically told me I was screwed and the best they could do on a $3,039 repair was to give me a 20% discount. Also note that my light came on prior to the warranty expiring but I went out of town and have flight records to prove that I was out of town for for 2 weeks prior to the car being seen by Mercedes.

I have since initiated a claim with Mercedes Benz USA and am awaiting their response. Has anyone had success with Mercedes Benz USA stepping up to the plate?

vettdvr

Check fuel tank leakage and I think you will answer your own question.

mb_edh

My extended warranty expired on Sep of 2014 and my independent workshop said that the error code is to replace the SBC Brake hydraulic pump unit and my dealership says the warranty has expired. Has anyone had luck getting this replaced free of cost with warranty expiry? It costs close to $1900.

MBSL500

I have a brake fault code C249F on my 2003 SL500. Dealer says warranty is off and to bring in for a diagnosis. Is there other issues that don't cost $1900. for a fix? It seems there is a problem with the braking system from what I read on here. The MB dealer in Bedford, OH "Bedford MB", says there is not a recall or a problem with the braking system.

lanrceds

huhuhuhu,this website change this domain name，now this item address is http://www.mbstartool.com/wholesale/...te-online.html

Jackcloud

c249f can be solved using the dev mode and super mb star c3 only... i mean, only super mb star c3 with dev mode... here is the instruction helped me: http://blog.mbstartool.com/2015/11/2...id-login-info/

hope this helps you also.