CLK-Class (W209) 2003 on: CLK 270 CDI, CLK 200K, CLK 200 CGI, CLK 240, CLK 320, CLK 350, CLK 500, CLK 550 [Coupes & Cabriolets]

Common Problems with CLK500

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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 12:49 PM
  #1  
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2003 SL55, 2006 CLK500, 1998 Vette
Common Problems with CLK500

Good day everyone. My 2006 CLK500 warranty is about to expire in a month. The car really has no problems that I see. What are the most common issues with these cars and what should I have replaced under warranty before it expires?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 12:59 PM
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The only thing I have seen that tends to go out (some people may disagree) are the alternator, power steering pump, and make sure to check your tranny for any issues.
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 01:01 PM
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'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
Something common that I noticed was an issue his the electric headrests, the switch seems to fail on quite a few CLK's. A couple of TCU's as well.
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 01:22 PM
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Seats module, Maf sensor and valve gasket thats all i can think of it right now...

Andy
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 03:59 PM
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2005 CLK 500 Cabriolet
Dealer replaced the rear seal on my engine last time I was in.
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Old Jan 12, 2011 | 06:00 PM
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Stepper Motor as it relates to the A/C
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Old Jan 13, 2011 | 09:42 AM
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I've replaced under warranty:
  • AC Stepper Motor
  • Rear Seal
  • Valve Gaskets
  • Transmission Plug (harness going into the tranny leaks oil)
  • Seat Warmer
  • 3rd Brake light
  • Engine Motor Mounts
  • Tranny Mounts
  • Seat belt Mechanism (that pulls the seatbelt back in)
  • Removed that damn "SOS Malfunction" indicator
  • Various Suspension bushings
  • Headlight Xenon ballast
  • Windshield wiper adjustment
  • Sunroof adjustment
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Old Jan 13, 2011 | 01:00 PM
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i had to replace myself (no warranty)

driver side HID ballast
Amp (this was a PITA because only OEM will work because of the digital optical lines)
3rd brake lights *(cracked)
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Old Jan 13, 2011 | 01:07 PM
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04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
How much was the AMP to replace?
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Old Jan 14, 2011 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 2MCHCAR
I've replaced under warranty:
  • AC Stepper Motor how do u know that you need to change ?
  • Rear Seal what is this ?
  • Valve Gaskets
  • Transmission Plug (harness going into the tranny leaks oil)
  • Seat Warmer
  • 3rd Brake light
  • Engine Motor Mounts
  • Tranny Mounts
  • Seat belt Mechanism (that pulls the seatbelt back in)
  • Removed that damn "SOS Malfunction" indicator
  • Various Suspension bushings
  • Headlight Xenon ballast
  • Windshield wiper adjustment
  • Sunroof adjustment
Could you answer the questions above ? I plan to go to the shop on Monday to inspect everything.
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 01:30 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by M-bENZ
Could you answer the questions above ? I plan to go to the shop on Monday to inspect everything.
- Trans mounts: feels like trans is slipping and takes more revs to get the car to take off. Replaced on my CLK...under warranty thank goodness

- RMS - Rear Main Seal - seal around the flywheel end of the crank. Leaking oil out the rms means slippage

- MAF - mass airflow sensor - common problem area, yet havent had any issues with my clk

- radiator - make sure you have the Behr radiator vs. the Valeo. fluid contamination makes the tranny go boom.

- trans - make sure yours has had the fluid drained and replaced, every 40k. TSBs from the dealer indicate that you should drain/replace (not flush) trans fluid every 40k. when these cars were new, it was "lifetime" fluid. all i can say is do it. that leaky seal is cheap to replace. do that too. done on both my c sedan and clk

- power steering: seal/o-ring in the plastic resrvior fails, causing fluid level to drop. ultimate solution as I understand is to replace reservoir and seal. make sure to check the PS fluid (it is special MBZ hydraulic oil - $30/liter) as it is one of the only things NOT on a sensor in our cars

That's all I can think of...Wes?
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 02:14 AM
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Thanks billy but how about the AC stepper motor ? how do i know that i need to replace ?

Andy
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by M-bENZ
Thanks billy but how about the AC stepper motor ? how do i know that i need to replace ?

Andy
When you hear loud "thunks" coming from behind the dashboard, when you startup your car.
I also forgot to mention the CPS, that goes out too. Your car will have trouble starting up and the engine will experience hesitation while driving.

Last edited by 2MCHCAR; Jan 15, 2011 at 12:16 PM.
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 01:13 PM
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CLK500
Hello guys, newbie here
Just bought 05 CLK500 w/ 47K miles and like it so far.

Just wondering, how many miles on your CLK's? Seems like it has many common problems.
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by tru350z
Hello guys, newbie here
Just bought 05 CLK500 w/ 47K miles and like it so far.

Just wondering, how many miles on your CLK's? Seems like it has many common problems.
Yes it does, you're doomed!

J/K, everything on the road has issues now and then, my Benz's are still the most reliable cars I've ever owned, keep them maintained, they'll be good to you.

Welcome to the board.
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 01:20 PM
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04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Kevwood
Yes it does, you're doomed!

J/K, everything on the road has issues now and then, my Benz's are still the most reliable cars I've ever owned, keep them maintained, they'll be good to you.

Welcome to the board.
Thank you.

Not to high jack your thread OP.

Just reading up on other stuff on CLK and came across w209world. Very good web site with info.
I may have issue with my tranny. Here is direct quote.

"The 7-speed automatic transmissions can have problems with internal component failure that cause rough shifting going up from first to second gear and going down from third to second or second to first gear. Mercedes released updated parts; the transmission will need to be removed and disassembled."

I wouldn't say real rough down shifting but i can feel down shifting from 2nd to 1st gear. Is that normal? Would it fix with tranny oil drain and refill?
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 02:02 PM
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From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
Yo have 7spd in your 05?
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by dynomite05
Yo have 7spd in your 05?
Isn't it standard on 05 CLK 500? I may have 6sp but i can feel down shifting from 2nd to 1st gear on braking.
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by tru350z
Hello guys, newbie here
Just bought 05 CLK500 w/ 47K miles and like it so far.

Just wondering, how many miles on your CLK's? Seems like it has many common problems.
61k at the clock right now the car is fine i just wana check up for everything while it still under warranty. I too have the 7 speeds.

Edit: You should have 7 spd from 05 + up.

Andy
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 02:10 PM
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04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
Originally Posted by tru350z
Isn't it standard on 05 CLK 500? I may have 6sp but i can feel down shifting from 2nd to 1st gear on braking.
Do you have a maintenance records for the car?
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 02:15 PM
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04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
Originally Posted by tru350z
Thank you.

Not to high jack your thread OP.

Just reading up on other stuff on CLK and came across w209world. Very good web site with info.
I may have issue with my tranny. Here is direct quote.

"The 7-speed automatic transmissions can have problems with internal component failure that cause rough shifting going up from first to second gear and going down from third to second or second to first gear. Mercedes released updated parts; the transmission will need to be removed and disassembled."

I wouldn't say real rough down shifting but i can feel down shifting from 2nd to 1st gear. Is that normal? Would it fix with tranny oil drain and refill?


That quote is only for the 07, 08, 09 550s.
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 02:27 PM
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CLK500
Originally Posted by dynomite05
Do you have a maintenance records for the car?
I don't have maint record. From my understanding it needs new tranny fluid.
It shifts up and drives fine but only on braking. I can feel gear down shifting applying engine brake.

I guess quote is for 07 and up 550's but i have similar issues, thought i should ask.

I couldn't find Tranny DIY thread yet. . .

Last edited by tru350z; Jan 15, 2011 at 02:29 PM.
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 03:14 PM
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From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
I believe a tranny flush is recommended every 30K miles, so you're probably due for one. Do you have a warranty on the car?
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Old Jan 15, 2011 | 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by dynomite05
I believe a tranny flush is recommended every 30K miles, so you're probably due for one. Do you have a warranty on the car?
Unfortunately no.
I didn't see tranny oil dip stick from engine bay when i change engine oil. Are the fill and drain hole in tranny pan?

BTW thanks for your help.
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