torenzicht

I'm posting a new thread on this as numerous searches only turned up one post with no replies.

I have a brand new C32 (2003) and when I was test driving it (and another brand new C32 on the lot), I noticed that the trip computer remaining mile range was over 2000 miles! Now, if my car had that kind of gas mileage, I would be thrilled, but it obviously does not. Note that both brand new C32 vehicles had this problem. The salesman advised that it was probably just a computer glitch that would correct itself. Well, it didn't, so I took the car back in and they have been fooling with it since. They've reprogrammed the computer on my car (and the other one) with the C32 2003 ROM - no luck, same problem. This last trip in, they reprogrammed it with the C32 2002 ROM and the service manager assured me that it was fixed. Guess what, no luck...

They then said that they needed to replace the instrument cluster so they made me bring my car in and leave it overnight (legal issues with ordering a new cluster with the appropriate mileage pre-programmed apparently). They then called me today and advised that the part was indefinitely back ordered and they didn't have any idea when they would get one.

I've noticed in the past week or so that the temperature guage (outside air temp) will occasionally read 175F and then jump back down to 98F. In addition, the car has the "convenience feature" where the steering wheel can raise when you get out of the car and then automatically lower when you get back in. About 10% of the time (very intermittent), the wheel either doesn't go down at all or only goes part of the way, forcing me to hit my memory button to bring it the rest of the way.

Now, having read this, please go look at your car's range indicator and see what it says. If your's is correct or incorrect, please post here to let us know. If you're smarter than anyone at Mercedes (the dealer claims the "home office" doesn't have any ideas, here or in Germany) and you have some idea as to what might be going on or what a potential fix would be, please advise.

And if you have this problem, don't go running to the dealer, as I'm sure you'll get the same run around I did.

To make matters worse, someone ran into my damned loaner car TODAY! ARGGGGG.

Brian

Shine

OK, a few "wrong information" reported here in any Mercedes
models
What ever wrong gas remain, wrong mileage......maybe
The dealer replace the post sam board beside the trunk, all
signals are processed there and distribute to cluster meters.

Luckily, most of those poor cars' wrong information disappeared.
For unlucky few, there could be real sensor problem/failure
which report the wrong status in the beginning, it takes time
to find out the exactly problem sensors.

Bux

ever since the c32 has come out i haven't seen or had a computer problem but now all of a sudden 2 new posters post the same problem..

auxo

Hello,

I have an 03 (01/03 production) C32 and I have the same problem. When I have a full tank, the range reads 2300+ miles. At first I though it would go away, but I have 2100 miles on the car now and still the same. The way I see it, since its not causing me any problems I'll just ignore it. I had a 2002 C240 before this, and every time I took it to the dealer for a minor problem (stereo, ESP) it came back without being fixed (although the dealer noted they replaced parts).

Cheers!

TomGuy

I had a similiar problem with the temperature sensor. Mine always read 140 degrees all the time. I just took it into the dealer, and they said the sensor was defective. They replaced it and ever since it's been fine.

BobH

I checked my range reading last night on the way home. It's still working perfectly (told me I had a 162 mile range). I used it on a trip awhile ago and it was pretty accurate

I have an early 2002 C32, build date Sept. 2001.

--Bob

JRF

My C32 is fine but I did have an instrument cluster replacement on a C240. Multiple issues with SOS and sunroof. Finally after all boards replaced cluster was next. It gets pulled, goes to MB and then a new one comes back and goes in. MB takes care of the mileage swap - which is electronic afterall. Car will show no sign of having a new instrument cluster.

If it was me - I would try disconnecting the battery and resetting the whole electrical system.

If that does not work, reset the trip odometer with the extra long reset (it oddly effects some functions of the CPU - just push and hold it for a full 45+ seconds). MB repair had me do this on a C240 - I did not make it up.

Then I would screw with the Kilometer/Miles setting. The CPU will need to do a slightly different calculcation for range in Kilometers. Switch it back and forth and see if that does not get you out of the whole it is in.

MB needs to start reviewing their parts suppliers. The rate of complaints is rising and that is not a good sign. With that said my C32 (20 months old / 7k miles) and C320 wagon (15 months old / 6k miles) wagon sholdier on.

Taucher

Mine is fine, both temp and milage remaining. Milage remaining usually starts out at about 340 miles, of course I only get bout 240 miles per tankful. I have an 2002, build date of july 2001.

torenzicht

Somewhat disturbing - one of their sales pitches was how people drive these things well beyond 150k miles... I haven't even hit 700 and I've already been in the dealer 3 times!!!

I'll try the battery cable removal/reset technique and see what happens - the dealer still has no idea when they'll be able to get a new instrument cluster...

The range thing doesn't bother me nearly as much as the steering wheel memory (or lack thereof!)...

Thanks.

codyrobert

I've recently purchased a new 03 C32. The only problem I have with it is the range. Whenever I fill up, it reads about 2200 miles. At half tank its about 700. At 1/4 tank its around 200 miles. It then clicks off miles real fast, and when the fuel light comes on, it reads about 20 miles......Has been consistent for the 6 tanks I've run through it. THe ave mileage however, reads as expected at about 17 mpg.

rosegrad

mine has the same problems.... both the range (2000 miles when full) and my steering wheel fails to remember it's driving position some times. will address during next service visit.

even at $50k, you can't escape silly-assed problems!

cityhunter

My range is wrong too.. and mine is a 2003 with only 133KM on the car...

Marko

I have an'03 and fortunately haven't had a problem at all with it. I couldn't be happier.

Although.....I have noticed the 'lurch' on a few rare ocassions.

As someone pointed out, even at our cars' prices there will still be a few problems now and then. This happens at every level with cars such as ours.

My buddy just bought an '03 Lotus, upgrading from his '02. You want to talk about some problems and complete frustration with their service!?

c32brabus

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT ONLY WITH THE SEAT. IT DOESN'T GO TO ITS MEMORY POSITION SO I HAVE TO HOLD THE MEM. BUTTON FOR IT TO BE CORRECTED. AT TIMES THE SAME HAPPENS WITH THE MIRRORS.

torenzicht

Got a call from the local service manager today. He advised that Mercedes has acknowledged as of today that there is indeed a software problem with some portion (didn't say how many) of the 2003 C32s. Apparently, it will be a software "fix", but it is likely to require a cluster replacement.

The parts are still backordered though... Ho hum....

auxo

Torenzicht,

Would you please update us when you get your problems fixed?

Thanks in advance.

torenzicht

Still waiting for the parts - I'll let you know the outcome...

torenzicht

Well, my local dealer gave me a call the other day and advised that they had the new console for my car in (so much for having to order it while they had my car - i.e. to keep track of mileage). Anyway, after a day without my C32, the range computer is now fixed and I haven't had any problems with the steering wheel memory since.

Appears to be fixed - Mercedes has acknowledged that they do have a problem, so if your range computer reports 2000 miles range on a full tank, call your service guy and complain.

auxo

Thanks for the update. I guess I will get it fixed too since MB acknowledges the problem (as soon as I get my car back from Evosport...

Thanks again!

auxo

After the information I got from this thread, I finally took my car in to the dealer for this problem.

I was expecting a new cluster, but to my surprise the fix only involved some code input via Star Diagnose System. Now my range computer works fine.