P0012 - Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Did you reset/clear the codes AFTER replacement?
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Joined: Aug 2004
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350
Replaced the magnet/solenoid about 2 weeks ago, reset via STAR, and ran the camshaft position test in STAR. So far no CEL, and surprisingly the car runs better. Guess I didn't realize that the somewhat rough idle and a touch of hesitation every once and a while were from the magnet/solenoid being faulty. Checked the part number on the other 3, and they are the same old part, so may have to change out those with the revised parts at some point. Overall a cheap and easy fix to a minor annoyance.
, one question I have is do I need to do the reset in STAR, or will it work when I just replace the magnets and clear the codes?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Good luck Mike! Just replace the magnets, then clear the codes with an OBD2 scanner. No STAR required!
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,089
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350
I really thought I had read this thread carefully and understood what was needed, so I was pretty confident taking this on last night. Unfortunatly, it didn't go quite as planned, so I thought i'd give a list of tools that should be on hand if you are about to try and tackle this project. 
1. E8 (external torx socket)
2. T30 socket, screwdriver, in as many variations as humanly possible
3. 6mm 12point wrench
4. Various extentions
5. Tool pickup magnet
6. Magnetic tray to hold screws and bolts
I started this project out with just a socket set that does E-Torx, a screwdiver, and a couple of misc tools. I was able to do the passenger side pretty easily, but still haven't been able to get the driver's side done. I also had the distinct pleasure of making three trips to Lowes, luckily there is one right next to my hotel. Maybe I can tackle that tonight. The problem is getting the power steering reservoir out of the way. So far it's really eaten my lunch.
1. E8 (external torx socket)
2. T30 socket, screwdriver, in as many variations as humanly possible
3. 6mm 12point wrench
4. Various extentions
5. Tool pickup magnet
6. Magnetic tray to hold screws and bolts
I started this project out with just a socket set that does E-Torx, a screwdiver, and a couple of misc tools. I was able to do the passenger side pretty easily, but still haven't been able to get the driver's side done. I also had the distinct pleasure of making three trips to Lowes, luckily there is one right next to my hotel. Maybe I can tackle that tonight. The problem is getting the power steering reservoir out of the way. So far it's really eaten my lunch.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
Mike,
I haven't had the pleasure of replacing the one's on the driver's side, YET
The one's on the passenger side are a cake walk, the one's on the driver's side though, look to be a little tough. Indigo_kid gave us all the secret to dealing with the one's on the driver's side w/o taking everything apart. Hope the other's go well for you. Again, good luck.
I haven't had the pleasure of replacing the one's on the driver's side, YET
The one's on the passenger side are a cake walk, the one's on the driver's side though, look to be a little tough. Indigo_kid gave us all the secret to dealing with the one's on the driver's side w/o taking everything apart. Hope the other's go well for you. Again, good luck.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
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From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
mskembo, YOU DON'T NEED TO REMOVE the PS fluid reservoir to replace the camshaft adjuster magnets. Just use 1/4" size 12-point closed-end wrench. I have done this. Much simpler go this route than having to remove the PS reservoir and all that...
Last edited by pcy; Apr 8, 2011 at 01:57 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Austin, TX
07 C230 (sold) 2009 E63 AMG (SOLD), 2015 E 63 AMG S
I currently have the P0022 bank 2, after reading throughly my first move is to replace the magnets THEN clear the error codes. Hopefully this will resolve my problems, as which sometimes they can be very noticeable.
Problems go as following; Traveling at regular speed 60-75mph then error code pops up, car goes into limp mode not responding to my throttle and very deep tone in exhaust. After turning car off anf then back on the car shakes a bit but then fixes itself.
I havent ran my car hard for the past week, so the code hasnt poped up. Will order the magnets and let you guys know.
Problems go as following; Traveling at regular speed 60-75mph then error code pops up, car goes into limp mode not responding to my throttle and very deep tone in exhaust. After turning car off anf then back on the car shakes a bit but then fixes itself.
I havent ran my car hard for the past week, so the code hasnt poped up. Will order the magnets and let you guys know.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 38
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From: Grayson, GA
W211 E55, W211 E500 estate, A124 E320
for all of you guys getting the "retard" code, your cars or going to need balance shafts, its about a 4000 dollar job. The metal is wearing off the sprocket and causing the camshafts to retard timing to stay running smoothly. 
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
All P0012's codes referenced in this thread ARE 100% magnet/solenoid related, and NOT balance shaft.
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Aventura, Fl
2006 C230, 2006 BMW M3, bye bye C55:(
And this is the exact problem my car has been having lately.
Good to know.
Can you tell me which posts to review for advice and directions on how to replace the magnets?
Good to know.
Can you tell me which posts to review for advice and directions on how to replace the magnets?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
P0025 is Bank 2 Position B. Bank 1 is passenger side, Bank 2 is drivers side, A position is Intake Cam, and B is Exhaust Cam. So, yours is Drivers side exhaust cam, so #1 in your drawing.
Since these are known to be a problem and are cheap and easy to replace, I again STRONGLY recommend anyone with magnet issues on the M272, to just replace them all, to eliminate issues with the others later down the road.
Since these are known to be a problem and are cheap and easy to replace, I again STRONGLY recommend anyone with magnet issues on the M272, to just replace them all, to eliminate issues with the others later down the road.
Last edited by johnand; Aug 31, 2011 at 04:38 PM.
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From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
^ +1.
M272 engines are notorious for this issue. It's a matter of the time before the error comes up. Those magnets have been updated and the new version magnets don't seem to have the problem [with the original magnets].
I had this issue and I replaced the magnets about 10 months ago and no problems since then.
M272 engines are notorious for this issue. It's a matter of the time before the error comes up. Those magnets have been updated and the new version magnets don't seem to have the problem [with the original magnets].
I had this issue and I replaced the magnets about 10 months ago and no problems since then.
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 267
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From: Aventura, Fl
2006 C230, 2006 BMW M3, bye bye C55:(
P0025 is Bank 2 Position B. Bank 1 is passenger side, Bank 2 is drivers side, A position is Intake Cam, and B is Exhaust Cam. So, yours is Drivers side exhaust cam, so #1 in your drawing.
Since these are known to be a problem and are cheap and easy to replace, I again STRONGLY recommend anyone with magnet issues on the M272, to just replace them all, to eliminate issues with the others later down the road.
Since these are known to be a problem and are cheap and easy to replace, I again STRONGLY recommend anyone with magnet issues on the M272, to just replace them all, to eliminate issues with the others later down the road.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 24
From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Aventura, Fl
2006 C230, 2006 BMW M3, bye bye C55:(
Out of sheer curiosity, why dont we just clean them up and put them back in? Like clean it with crc and put them back in.
A mechanic friend of mine thinks it would resolve the problem without replacing them
A mechanic friend of mine thinks it would resolve the problem without replacing them
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
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From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
If those magnets are expensive, that's what I would've tried first. Since those magnets are [relatively] inexpensive, I'd rather replace them and move on with life.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,403
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From: Camas, WA
2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
+1. Also MB superseded that part because they were causing problems. Why bother with the hassle for a $20 part?
