2008 C-CLASS OWNERS: Scroll Wheel Malfunction
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2008 C300
2008 C-CLASS OWNERS: Scroll Wheel Malfunction
So it seems to be interesting that several owners of the then-redesigned 2008 C-Class are experiencing the same mysterious malfunction in the scroll wheel on their consoles right around 4 years - or when the car's warranty expires (if still under 40k miles). Obviously this is something no one - not even the guys at MB - could've foreseen 4 years ago, but I find it particularly odd that is seems to be happening juuuust out of warranty for just about everyone.
To be specific, the wheel doesn't totally lose function, it loses the inability to scroll, making it about 30% as useful/effective as it used to be (no more zooming in and out on the navi screen, and forget about trying to search for any music on long list or enter in address info in a reasonable manner).
Bottom Line - I would like to see if this is a really becoming that common of a production oversight (everyone with 2008 C-Class' will be starting to experience it now), and if there is anyone out there with any sort of expertise on something like this in terms of finding out whether we are out of luck or if there is a way to hold MB accountable on making this rather pricey (I was quoted $450) little fix. Thanks
To be specific, the wheel doesn't totally lose function, it loses the inability to scroll, making it about 30% as useful/effective as it used to be (no more zooming in and out on the navi screen, and forget about trying to search for any music on long list or enter in address info in a reasonable manner).
Bottom Line - I would like to see if this is a really becoming that common of a production oversight (everyone with 2008 C-Class' will be starting to experience it now), and if there is anyone out there with any sort of expertise on something like this in terms of finding out whether we are out of luck or if there is a way to hold MB accountable on making this rather pricey (I was quoted $450) little fix. Thanks
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
97 S600 coupe/gf 16 C300 Lux. Former: 08 GL450, 83 300D, 97 C230, 08 c300 luxury, 92 500SL, 93 400E
Mine's at 25k (production date 9/07), and has 4mos left on CPO warranty. Still working as of now. I live by the thing, so I'm getting concerned.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2008 C300
UPDATE TO THIS ISSUE
So, in an ambitious effort - and after getting a ridiculous quote from my mechanic on replacing the scroll wheel (or "Push Button" as it's technically called) - I decided to buy the part and install it myself. I'm out of warranty anyway, so I figured I might as well give it a try.
I found a pretty solid guide on "opening up" the console which was pretty simple, and I was able to easily just unplug my old Push Button and replace it with a new one I purchased through an OEM dealer. Perfect solution that saved me time and money, right?
WRONG! The new replacement part literally had the same functionality as my old "broken" one (no scrolling functionality, but up/down/left/right and push+select and the "back" and "clr" buttons work).
Fortunately, I look at it as a lesson learned at not too high a cost because A) I bought the part for $130 (vs the $500 quote I was given) and B) the mechanics I normally use originally had said they would just replace that part if I had them do it (so would've been the same result just at the expense of me leaving my car somewhere and potentially ~$400 more dollars later).
I'm not totally braindead when it comes to DIY stuff, but now I'm pretty stumped. I've matched the part# exactly (and trust me, there are about 4 or 5 different part #'s for the Push Button on a C-Class depending on what features your car has), and still no results. My intuition says that must mean there's a short in a wire going from the car's ECU to the Push Button plug instead of problem with the Push Button itself... I'm praying though there's some small step I'm overlooking...
Any knowledgeable advice from my fellow MB enthusiasts?
I found a pretty solid guide on "opening up" the console which was pretty simple, and I was able to easily just unplug my old Push Button and replace it with a new one I purchased through an OEM dealer. Perfect solution that saved me time and money, right?
WRONG! The new replacement part literally had the same functionality as my old "broken" one (no scrolling functionality, but up/down/left/right and push+select and the "back" and "clr" buttons work).
Fortunately, I look at it as a lesson learned at not too high a cost because A) I bought the part for $130 (vs the $500 quote I was given) and B) the mechanics I normally use originally had said they would just replace that part if I had them do it (so would've been the same result just at the expense of me leaving my car somewhere and potentially ~$400 more dollars later).
I'm not totally braindead when it comes to DIY stuff, but now I'm pretty stumped. I've matched the part# exactly (and trust me, there are about 4 or 5 different part #'s for the Push Button on a C-Class depending on what features your car has), and still no results. My intuition says that must mean there's a short in a wire going from the car's ECU to the Push Button plug instead of problem with the Push Button itself... I'm praying though there's some small step I'm overlooking...
Any knowledgeable advice from my fellow MB enthusiasts?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 681
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey/ Aviano Air Base, Italy
'08 c300 sport
Wow, my 2008 had this problem starting about 2 weeks ago. Been ignoring it since then cause I've been too busy to get it checked out at the dealership. Hopefully I can get it looked at at the nearest dealership even though they don't understand anything I say o_O
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
2008 C300
Please let me know what they say. I know they will likely say that you just need to the part replaced, but I can tell you firsthand that it might not solve the problem. And they will charge you at least $500 for the replacement ($500 was from my mechanic, not the dealership).
I know we all consciously sign our lives over to high costs when we buy MB, but when the part can be found for under $200 bucks (like I said I got mine for about $130), and the physical act of replacing it can be done by anyone (I was able to properly replace it), $500+ is not justified in my opinion.
I know we all consciously sign our lives over to high costs when we buy MB, but when the part can be found for under $200 bucks (like I said I got mine for about $130), and the physical act of replacing it can be done by anyone (I was able to properly replace it), $500+ is not justified in my opinion.
