TBS

C200K - Brought in June 2002 Mileage 25000km to date

Two days ago, I noted that there is a click-clack sound coming from the centre console when I started the car. The sound will repeat itself for maybe a minute... then no more. When I restarted the engine there was no such sound.

However, this (click-clack) will repeat when I start the car after a long pause. Why ?

Tried removing the CD magazine - the sound still persist
Tried switching off Auto central lock - the sound still persist

Check the display- there is No Malfunction.

Apart from the repeating click-clack sound that goes off after a little, there appear to be nothing wrong with the car.

Can someone help?

jrct9454

If you mean by "center console" the center stack in the dash [radio, climate controls, etc], then this does ring a faint bell for me - it could be the climate control manipulating the air duct flaps, and doing it repeatedly instead of once and stopping. I thought I remembered reading about this problem somewhere - there might even be a TSB out on it. Check with your service center.

If you mean the center console area between the seats, then I have no idea what's going on, though once again, because of the ducts leading to the rear of the console and the storage area itself, I would not be surprised if the climate control system were the guilty party.

TBS

Yes, the centre console is the area where the radio, cassette player and other buttons are. Observed that the sound always click-clack 8 times within 1 minute. That's it. It then goes away. The same sound will repeat itself 8 times again when I restart the car. Funny... consistently 8 times and then go away.

BTW what is TSB?

jrct9454

Start then with the climate control system - may be the servos that set the air flaps in the system.

Technical Service Bulletin - a broadcast solution to a known problem to all authorized dealer service departments. It means there may be a known fix to the problem. Check with your dealer.

Petmerctech

This is a common problem. The actuator arm for the footwell flaps is broken and the motor that drives it just spins around inside it. You need to have the actuator arm replaced.

TBS

Thank you jrct9454 and Petmerctech for your feedback. Hope the replacement part will not cost a bomb.

Petmerctech

The replacement part will not cost a bomb, but the labor will. The dash will need to be removed to replace it. Are you out of warranty?

TBS

Just to update the forum. Sent my car to MBenz workshop and they had to replaced a broken operating lever. The labour cost is expensive because the whole dash board had to be removed to establish the real problem. The operating lever was cheap. Finally, no clicking sound anymore. Thank you very much for the advices rendered.

fanito

Aren't common problems (or well-known problems) should be paid by MBUSA due to poor quality items even if you are out of warranty? we are not talking kia or daewoo here. I think the C-class has a lot of those "common problems" and sucks

patrick_y

I agree, I think it's the servos in the air duct system. The ones in the E Class (W210) and S Class (W140) are especially loud. Haven't heard it from my C yet.

I have to say that I agree with fanito here, these C Classes seem to have a rather large share of small electronic jitters. However, let's look at it this way. What can you buy that handles like this car, has an audio system like this car, and will mechanically last as long as this car, for this kind of price? Not much, just a Subaru, BMWs have small electrical problems as well. Lexus IS is a good competitor though.