Expat

I got to work and shut off the engine and there's a pump/fan/whining noise coming from the engine, I open the hood and the pump under the passenger side air intake hose (connects to something that's 4-6" in diameter & looks like an alternator/compressor) is running and making a catching/grinding noise.
The noise lasts until I pull the electrical connector, I need help, can someone tell me :
1) What the pump(?) I've unplugged is?
2) Do I need it?
3) Can I drive without it?
4) Any idea how much to repair?
I think it might be for the A/C but I've really no idea, it's definitely a pump of some sort as it connects to pipes.
Thanks
Ian

Trekman

secondary air pump, if you unplug it you will get a check engine light. just plug it back in if its still working. you will need to replace it soon, its about $400 for the pump $20 for a new relay. its not that hard to replace parts are just expensive

Expat

Thanks, so do I just let it run until the pump fails or unplug it each time I stop the car? Can I drive without it until I get the garage to replace it?
Thanks again
Ian

Trekman

yes just plug it back in, I drove mine for about a week with the motor dead. but yours is still working so it might run for a while.

wawy

Here is a thread with a lot of info on this problem if you're interested:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/134148-help-strange-sound-coming-part.html

Zeppelin

Leave it un-plugged. You will not get a check engine light if it is un-plugged. If the relay fails or you unplug the relay you will get a light. I left mine un-plugged for months without getting a CEL.

Expat

Thanks everyone for such fast and accurate help, the car goes to the garage on Friday, wish me luck

C32AMG/02

Mercedes will change the relay for the secondary air injection pump and flash the ECU with soft wear to support the new relay, at no charge to the customer. Even if you are not the original owner.

“ If any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer fails or is unable to perform this service without charge , please call 1 800 367 6372”

The air pump is an emission component. Service Campaign # 2006-030011, MB is responsible for this repair.

Expat

So the dealership just called, $1200 to replace the secondary air pump which has burnt out due to the relay failing, not covered under the campaign, not covered by emissions warranty!

amgmark

That is ridiculous.. The reason for the service campaign was to fix this problem because of your exact situation. I would call the service manager and raise serious hell..

You should probably call that number listed above and possibly find another dealer for a second opinion..

Good luck..

Expat

As it's a service campaign not a recall it only covers the relay, the garage are trying to help out, I'll post the details if they come through.

Expat

So the garage (Smythe European in San Jose CA) came through!
By requesting "Manufacturer's Assistance" it's all been repaired for free
It turns out you can request this if you have a repair that's not covered by warranty but from the sound of it you get (most likely) one use and so I'm done, you can request it multiple times but the probability goes down after your first successful one especially if it's $1K+
I thought everyone would like to know......

DL_AMG

It should be cover since is part of the campaign. MB can't get away with this. period.

Expat

Good luck, my service adviser was as surprised as we are that MB refused to cover it as part of the service campaign.

Moxxon

There is a recall on the relay switches because they know they fail and then ruin the pumps. Even out of warranty, MB should fix these problems without any hassle. Glad the "Manufacturer's Assistance" worked, whatever that entails.

This reminds me of the Valeo radiator problem. MBUSA should pay to replace Valeo radiators becauuse they have proven to be a problem in the '02 and '03 models. I wrote MBUSA and requested to have them reimburse me for the $700 I spent to replace my radiator and they totally blew me off. An MBUSA representative wrote me back and said my email was too technical to be addressed and that I should discuss this with my dealer. What a joke!