mjr24

The goddamn car will not start. I drove it all day fine, and I just went to start it and it started...but the ABC, electronic stablility and a ton of other warning lights came on. I turned it off to reset it...and now it won't start...the key won't friggin even turn. I am so sick of this car.....problems have been constant since I bought it. I was going to buy a new SL or SL55, but not after this car. I will buy a 6 series or something like that.

vraa

What year is your car?

mjr24

2002. I had the stupid thing towed to the dealer at 4am.

Kev04C320

sounds like an alternator problem

BenzKid24

my s500 did the same thing and it was the Alt.
ez fix!

AMG2GO

EZ for members on this forum... not so easy for some dealers apparently.

leggs

Same thing happend to mine and it's an 04 with less than 6k miles. Do you think not driving the car often enough contributed to this problem, or is it just a factory defect?

mjr24

I drive my car alot, so I don't think it is that. I am waiting on what the dealer says, should know something Monday. All I know is I am fed up with this car.

BklynBenz

same thing on my 03, turned out to be the alternator

mjr24

Well....service rep just called and said they are replacing the key and the whole electronic ignition switch. Hope this does it...

mjr24

Talked to service rep today...said they were programming the key....didnt sound too convinced they fixed the problem. I told him...check the alternator!

vraa

I've always felt bad for the mechanics that just get told what to do, especially from the middle execs at the dealer who are some of the most incompetent fools ever.

I hope your issue gets resolved mjr. Mercedes needs to turn out their service record.

mjr24

Ugh....now they are replacing the shifter assembly...doesn't look good when they just start replacing random parts hoping that will fix it.

techbike

May I suggest posting a query in the tech section of mercedesforum.com

I love THIS forum but the techies at that site are actually SA at dealerships all over the country. One very helpful SA is "Sleepwalker" who will even look up SBs and part #s for you. He helped me troubleshoot a suspension problem.

Vendetta

In short, they don't know what they don't know. Doesn't exactly instill confidence, does it.

But look at the bright side - you're getting all these new components. You are under warranty, right?

-V

BklynBenz

good idea, the guys over there do know their ****. also anyone can look up the SB's and recalls for their cars at alldata.

heres all the Automotive Recall and Technical Service Bulletin Titles for 2002 Mercedes Benz CL 500 (215.375) V8-5.0L (113.960):

Service Bulletins
TSB Number & Issue Date TSB Title
P-72_29-37 NOV 04 Electrical - Seat/Mirror/Window Switch Lighting Fails
P-15_40-54 NOV 04 Charging System - Insufficient Charging
P-63_50-07 OCT 04 Body - Corrosion Between Roof and Quarter Panel Seam
P-27_00-47A OCT 04 A/T - 722.6 Oil Leaks From Electrical Connection
P-77_10-24 OCT 04 Body - Sliding Roof Water Leaks/Rattles
P-82_30-399 OCT 04 Windshield - Blistering Near Rain/Light Sensor
P-42_20-49 SEP 04 Brakes - Noise From Rear of Vehicle
P-33_15-12 SEP 04 Steering/Suspension - Knocking/Rumbling Noise on Bumps
P-82_85-345 SEP 04 COMAND(R) System - Turns ON/Operates By Itself
P-82_30-366 SEP 04 Wipers/Washers - Wipers Chatter/Noisy After Blade Change
P-77_20-25 SEP 04 Body - Sliding Roof Malfunctions/Code 414 Set
P-82_10-201B SEP 04 Lighting - Front Turn Signal Inoperative
P-82_00-260A AUG 04 Audio System - CD's Won't Play or Eject
P-83_00-70 AUG 04 A/C - Inoperative/Codes Set/AC OFF Lamp Illuminated
P-91_40-67A JUL 04 SRS - Warning Lamp ON/DTC's B9183/B91A3 Stored
P-68_50-24 JUN 04 Interior - Sunblind Chafe Guard/Loose
P-82_85-324A MAY 04 COMAND (R) System - Vehicle Battery Low/Dead
P-27_00-40A APR 04 A/T - Shift Concerns/No Codes Set
P-42_10-33B MAR 04 Brakes - Front Brakes Shudder
S-07_61-039A MAR 04 Engine Controls - DTC Trouble Shooting
P-00_45-77 FEB 04 Interior - Squeaking/Creaking Noise Kit
P-82_95-305 FEB 04 Emergency Contact/Alarm System - System 'Runaway'
P-33_15-10 FEB 04 Steering/Suspension - Alignment Requirements
S-01_30-15 FEB 04 Engine - Cylinder Wall Damage Assesment
S-49_10-08 FEB 04 Exhaust System - Rattling/Hissing/Humming Noises
P-40_10-43 JAN 04 Tires - Michelin Pilot Sport A/S(R) Tires Not Approved
P-54_65-104A JAN 04 Parking Assist System - Triggers for No Reason
P-47_10-27 JAN 04 Fuel System - Fuel Filler Cap Hard to Remove/Install
S-18_00-16A DEC 03 Gasoline Engine - Oil Sludging
P-68_49-20 NOV 03 Instruments - Inside Rearview Mirror Motor Deletion
S-54_21-101 OCT 03 Engine Controls - ECM Flash Process Change
P-82_85-288 SEP 03 COMAND(R) System - Unable to Enter New Destination
P-54_18-97 JUL 03 Electrical - Drivers' Door Electrical System Inoperative
P-07_07-34 JUL 03 Engine Controls - MIL ON/Multiple DTC's Set
P-82_85-264 JUL 03 Navigation System - Inoperative/Erroneous Guidance
P-82_10-266 JUL 03 Lighting - Right/Left Low Beam Out Message Displayed
P-14_30-15 JUL 03 Emissions - MIL ON/DTC P2003 Stored in Memory
P-27_60-37 MAY 03 Antitheft System - Cannot Shut Vehicle OFF
P-20_10-23 MAY 03 Cooling System - Water Pump Leakage
P-91_60-57A MAY 03 SRS System - Control Module Service Precautions
P-54_21-85 APR 03 Lighting - False Check Headlamp Message/DTC's Set
P-91_60-58 APR 03 SRS System - Post Collision Impact Sensor Replacement
P-54_65-86 APR 03 Parking Assist System - Apparent Erroneous Activation
P-82_70-222 MAR 03 Cell Phone - Phone Won't Fasten Into Cradle Holder
P-67_00-09 MAR 03 Body - Windshield/Rear Glass Body Seam Corrosion
P-54_30-82A FEB 03 Instruments - 'Display Defective Displayed
P-80_57-20 FEB 03 Audio System - RF Interference Explanation
P-54_21-67A FEB 03 Lighting - 'Check Left Low Beam' Message Displayed
P-54_30-76 JAN 03 Instruments - '00000' Displayed on Odometer
P-83_55-65 DEC 02 A/C - Compressor Cycles Frequently
P-82_62-169B OCT 02 Audio System - Various CD Player Malfunctions
S-82_70-135B OCT 02 Fiber Optics System - Configuration/Version Coding
S-82_85-205 SEP 02 COMAND(R) System - Various Malfunctions
P-82_85-197 AUG 02 Navigation System - Poor Performance
P-68_05-15 JUL 02 Accessories - Insufficient Garage Door Opener Range
P-72_30-27 FEB 02 Body - Door Closing Assist Inoperative
P-47_10-16A FEB 02 Instruments - Fuel Gauge Inaccuracy
P-83_00-61 FEB 02 Interior - Vinegar Like Smell in High Temperatures
P-82_30-178 FEB 02 Wipers/Washers - Wiper Blades Come loose
S-82_70-179A FEB 02 Cellular Phone - V60 Programming Instructions
P-07_60-16 JAN 02 Engine Controls - Rough Idle/Hesitation/DTC's Set
P-83_40-60 JAN 02 Automatic Temperature Control - Inoperative
P-32_50-09 DEC 01 Automatic Suspension - Irregular Level Control
P-80_57-14 NOV 01 Electronic Ignition Switch - Intermittent Coding
P-30_30-07 NOV 01 Cruise Control - Distronic Control Unit Replacement
P-80_30-13 NOV 01 Smart Key(R) - Download Time
P-40_10-39 NOV 01 Tires - Tire Pressure Control System Reactivation
P-32_50-5A OCT 01 Automatic Suspension - Operational Check
P-47_20-17 OCT 01 Fuel System - Hard Start After Fuel Filter Replacement
P-40_10-33A OCT 01 Tires - Approved Winter/Summer Tires
P-83_40-56 SEP 01 A/C - 'EC' Lamp ON/DTC 1256 Stored in Memory
P-82_85-170 SEP 01 COMAND(R) System - Incorrect ETA Calculation Displayed
P-82_85-171 SEP 01 COMAND(R) System - Instrument Display Not Centered
P-80_57-11 AUG 01 Ignition System - Electronic Ignition Switch Replacement
P-54_30-57 AUG 01 Instruments - Odometer Resetting
P-18_40-14 AUG 01 Engine Controls - Implausible Oil Level Messages
P-01_00-10 AUG 01 Alternator - Mounting Bolt Identification/Application
P-91_60-48 AUG 01 Air Bag System - Side Impact Sensor Replacement
P-99_00-265 JUL 01 Vehicle - Technical Information Update Announcement

vraa

Where did you get that list? From WIS or something?
I could never figure out how to run that stuff.

Frank Wiesmann

In Germany, they are recalling all V6 and V8 models for this exact reason. It appears that some alternator switch is causing all sorts of electrical mayhem.

ghaffar23

I swear...my mom's 2004 CL600 quit on her out of NOWHERE in a weird fashion! She'd be driving and cut a corner, and it would random shut off! Power steering everything, engine cut-off...EVERYTHING! She thought maybe since it was on 1/4 tank of gas that would be the problem. However, the same thing happened again when my father drove the car with a full tank of gas.

Another interesting note...the air shocks had to be replaced as well (rear right). They only worked for a month when we first got the car, and that was the last time it worked.

As if that annoyance wasn't enough, the trunk closer wasn't working right, so that had to be fixed. After that, the driver's side door wouldn't suck in like its supposed to. Tried to get that fixed, but after a week in the shop, it still doesn't work. Sent it to another shop and they've had the car for two weeks now...it has been in the shop for almost a month total for the last three months. Keep in mind that this is a 2004 bought brand-new with less than 20K miles on the odometer. Unacceptable in a car of this caliber. I figured that they would get rid of these problems four years into the production. GUESS NOT!

Meanwhile, my mom is driving my E430, while I am stuck driving with a POS Camry! I couldn't let my mom drive 'classless' like that! These people (Plaza Motors ) call themselves "#1 Customer Service"...YEAH...right...

Vendetta

You're a good son, my friend! But.......

WHY the HELL aren't they giving your mom a loaner car? I've found that's a good way to light a fire under their asses - DEMAND a loaner. (It's BS that you should even have to ask, let alone demand, considering that you bought a $120,000+ vehicle from them!!!) They want their car back, you want yours back - makes for a faster turnaround at the service department.

"Unacceptible in a car of this calibre" is right. I hope you're documenting each visit to the service department, specifically the claims they make as to what the problems are and when they will be fixed. No marque is above the Lemon Law! And having a 2-ton mass of steel and glass lose power and steering while rounding a corner is something I would think the NHTSA would be interested in. I know sure as hell I wouldn't feel too safe taking any turns in that car for a VERY long time. A car like that is supposed to inspire confidence in it's ability, not white-knuckle the driver on every trip to the grocery store. Something to consider.

-V

ghaffar23

Oh no worries...I got that covered! Yup, it's been two weeks since this past Wed...STILL not finished! This is ridiculous...the CL is, in many ways, a picky and hot girlfriend: if something is not right, she'll act up, but when everything is right, she is the most enjoyable and pleasurable experience.

Chip

This is not good. One of the reasons I have a CL is long range travel. Something like this could really screw me up if it happened a long way from home. So far my car is bullit proof, but if it was dealership quessing a 1000 miles from home that would be the end of MB's for me.

mjr24

Well, problem finally solved. Key was replaced...stop switch replaced....ignition unit replaced. They had to replace the shifter because without being able to turn key, they could not get car out of park.
Of course...I get the car back, and the rear sunshade is stuck in the down position and now my passenger side Xenon takes a good 10 seconds to fire up now....both problems I did not have before the car went in.

Vendetta

I took my car for an oil change and to diagnose (not repair) the ABC issue.

3 days later, and one mile more on the odometer, I get the car back. The next day I notice that my windshield is cracked - I noticed it 'cause it spread to where I could see it. Called the dealership immediately but my SA was out Friday. That's one. Driving Friday night on the highway about 65MPH, I suddenly hear this terrible, loud "slapping" noise coming from the front of the car! I slow down and the noise goes away when the car comes to a stop. I look around and after a while, I notice that the plastic cowling under the oil pan was not secured (i.e. NO SCREWS!) and must have been scooping air at speed and smacking the asphalt. That's two. So I open the tool kit in the trunk to see if there are any spare screws (there aren't) and when I go to close the trunk lid, I notice that the spring cover for the left trunk hinge is gone. That's THREE! I get back in the car after "securing" the cowling literally with GARBAGE BAG TIES! and now MacGuyver here is totally pissed. I'm going back to the dealership today to sort this out. I'm just glad it's all BS stuff, nothing complicated. Even the glass is simple, if expensive.

"Service" is becoming a real misnomer for what we get at the dealerships.

-V

Vendetta

^^^

Amazing what just laying on the line with a quality SA at a good dealership can do. They're fixing everything, no charge.

-V