C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

E Brake Off, Light On?

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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 01:07 AM
  #1  
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2005 MB C230 Kompressor
E Brake Off, Light On?

My 05 C230 K.Sometime when i start the car it says the e brake is on but its not and where not on a hill or nothing.....when to dealer didnt help any ideas?
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 02:54 PM
  #2  
ffejalink's Avatar
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'14 A6 3.0 TFSI
Mine does the same thing. I usually don't notice until the car starts beeping at me and the display becomes red. I just pull the release handle and keep going. Doesn't happen often enough or bother me enough to worry about it (not to mention I'm out of warranty coverage and it's not worth the money to fix the problem).
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 03:28 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Well, in my old car (Mazda MX-6) this was an indicator that my brake fluid was low, but I can't tell you if it's the same with the Benz.

When you say the dealer didn't help, did they check the brake fluid for you and/or pads? If they did and still couldn't figure out the problem, it sounds electrical (which I'm finding is one of the perks and at the same time a drawback for having a German engineered car - i.e., the electronics are pretty darn complicated compared to a JDM).
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 05:56 PM
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1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
this has happened occassionally, and been posted on this forum at least twice before in the past 2 years....

when you get in or out of your car, sometimes your left foot brushes the E-brake pedal. These things are really sensitive. And although the E-brake pedal is not pushed in, the light comes on anyway. When I first heard this, I went and tried it on a 2003 C320 Wagon, 2003 C320 Sport Coupé, 2004 C240, and a 2004.5 C320 Sport Sedan. It happened (not all the time) on all 4 cars, and just by barely touching the E-brake. Sometimes I had to try it 5-6 times, before that happened, but what I'm saying is that, that may be the cause. Only remedy: be careful getting in & out of your car, and if the light comes on, just pull on the E-brake release, and that should solve the problem.

If that is not the case, then you're screwed, and your dealership is full of morons.
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 06:10 PM
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Saprissa
your dealership is full of morons.
Carlos, not very many stealerships that aren't full of them.
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 06:20 PM
  #6  
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i wouldn't say ALL of them.
Believe me, I've ran into some really really good MB Techs along the way.

what I mean by morons, are those who look at your car, and do not give any alternatives as to why one's car is not functioning properly and turn you away, without one bit of help. Not saying they need to fix it right away, but good MBUSA customer service, would note the problem, investigate, taking up to higher levels, find a solution, get back to you, call your car in for service, and get it fixed (either warranty or paid service).

Believe it or not, there are still some good Techs & SA's out there at the dealerships who do go out of their way to help and keep you happy ! I guess I've been lucky and have some of the best here in San Diego. Most people know their SA's by name, but how many people can say they know one or two of the Techs by name ??!!

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 06:47 PM
  #7  
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
Originally Posted by Saprissa
i wouldn't say ALL of them.
Believe me, I've ran into some really really good MB Techs along the way.

what I mean by morons, are those who look at your car, and do not give any alternatives as to why one's car is not functioning properly and turn you away, without one bit of help. Not saying they need to fix it right away, but good MBUSA customer service, would note the problem, investigate, taking up to higher levels, find a solution, get back to you, call your car in for service, and get it fixed (either warranty or paid service).

Believe it or not, there are still some good Techs & SA's out there at the dealerships who do go out of their way to help and keep you happy ! I guess I've been lucky and have some of the best here in San Diego. Most people know their SA's by name, but how many people can say they know one or two of the Techs by name ??!!

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
Tru-dat. I have a couple good SA's I deal with (two different dealerships), but I think a lot of people on these boards are much more knowledgable than the solutions I've heard from MB service.

You're fortunate enough to have gotten good service. For the most part, their service is average.
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 06:55 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by drexappeal
but I think a lot of people on these boards are much more knowledgable than the solutions I've heard from MB service.
yeah, it is a bit unfortunate...
but that's what we are here for: help each other out.

There used to be a few really good MB Techs that frequented this forum and gave very good solutions and suggestions to problems people had; but, the abuse got completely out of hand, and I never see them post anymore.

Originally Posted by MBUSA503
when {sic: went} to dealer didnt help any ideas?
People should hold their SA's and Techs more accountable. I mean if my E-brake problem wasn't addressed, I wouldn't just walk away from the dealership, and oh well ho-hum. There are higher channels you can go through, and maybe going up to the head Tech or the Dealership Manager might be the solution. I don't think they would just blatantly say: "nothing is wrong with your car, go away." If there is a problem, then it should be addressed, until some sort of resolution results.
I find it hard to believe that a dealership would turn away a customer with all the avenues of recourse available to him/her.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Saprissa
Most people know their SA's by name, but how many people can say they know one or two of the Techs by name ??!!
SA = Dave
Tech = Tom, David & and some newbie kid

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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 07:30 PM
  #10  
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Originally Posted by amdeutsch
SA = Dave
Tech = Tom, David & and some newbie kid


give the man a lollipop !!
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Old Aug 24, 2005 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Saprissa

give the man a lollipop !!


I just have one of those, now chilled, Bitburgers.
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Old Feb 20, 2006 | 08:34 PM
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2003 C230 Coupe (6MT)
I had the same problem. Actually switched dealers because of it. Had it in for service three times before calling it quits and trying someone new. The orginal dealer kept changing electrical parts (the brake switch under the dash) even though I told them I thought the e-brake cable needed lubrication. Turns out I was right. Dealer #2 found the problem in the back of the car. There's a metal box under the back seat where the brake cable splits from one to two (to head left and right to the two rear wheels). This needs to be lubricated during regular service and had tons of rust and "gunk" built up inside, such that the second dealer ended up replacing the whole assembly including the cable to make the thing work properly. It's been almost 10K miles and no issues so far.

To replace the parts the dealer needed to remove the back seat, however I was told that there was an access pannel under the car for regular service.

Hope this helps...

....dale
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