New E270 and my discoveries...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 20
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2005 E500 Wagon, 1982 500SL Euro
New E270 and my discoveries...
I just sold my 91 300D with 365,000 miles on it. It was still perfect when I sold it. I wanted a newer car with a better ride and more speed. I’m stationed in Germany.
I picked up a 2001 E270 automatic wagon for very little money. It had issues that needed to be sorted.
1.) Passenger seat airbag sensor failure.
2.) Low engine temp.
3.) Three alternators in 6 months.
4.) AC fan surges on highest setting.
5.) Rear brakes need replacing.
Im pretty good with mechanical and electrical stuff.
What I want to share with you may be common knowledge on this forum so please forgive my excitement.
I *believe* I discovered the source of the alternators failing. While figuring out all of the new buttons in the car, I came across a unique one next to the cigarette lighter. Thru some searching I found it to be the electric pre-heater "off switch" for the passenger compartment. If the outside temp is below 8c and the engine temp is below 70c, the electric pre-heater will kick on. Not sure how many AMPS it draws, but I suspect its quite a bit. I knew the thermostat was bad since the engine wouldnt rise above 50-60 deg. So I surmise that the cause of the alternator failures was due to the pre-heater running constantly all winter long since the engine temp couldnt achieve 70 c.
My mechanic said the surging of the fan was a failing resistor near or on the fan. Said it was 140 euro to replace it.
Brakes and thermostat are a breeze to fix. Should be only a broken wire for the airbag sensor on passenger seat.
Now for the non-mechanical part....
What an awesome car to drive! It shifts beautifully and has tons of torque. What a difference 10 years makes.
I have been considering having my ECU remapped once the other items are done. (I know I need to search the forums here for opinions on that...Feel free to advise.)
Just wanted to share my newbie stuff...
I picked up a 2001 E270 automatic wagon for very little money. It had issues that needed to be sorted.
1.) Passenger seat airbag sensor failure.
2.) Low engine temp.
3.) Three alternators in 6 months.
4.) AC fan surges on highest setting.
5.) Rear brakes need replacing.
Im pretty good with mechanical and electrical stuff.
What I want to share with you may be common knowledge on this forum so please forgive my excitement.
I *believe* I discovered the source of the alternators failing. While figuring out all of the new buttons in the car, I came across a unique one next to the cigarette lighter. Thru some searching I found it to be the electric pre-heater "off switch" for the passenger compartment. If the outside temp is below 8c and the engine temp is below 70c, the electric pre-heater will kick on. Not sure how many AMPS it draws, but I suspect its quite a bit. I knew the thermostat was bad since the engine wouldnt rise above 50-60 deg. So I surmise that the cause of the alternator failures was due to the pre-heater running constantly all winter long since the engine temp couldnt achieve 70 c.
My mechanic said the surging of the fan was a failing resistor near or on the fan. Said it was 140 euro to replace it.
Brakes and thermostat are a breeze to fix. Should be only a broken wire for the airbag sensor on passenger seat.
Now for the non-mechanical part....
What an awesome car to drive! It shifts beautifully and has tons of torque. What a difference 10 years makes.
I have been considering having my ECU remapped once the other items are done. (I know I need to search the forums here for opinions on that...Feel free to advise.)
Just wanted to share my newbie stuff...
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: the Netherlands
'01 W210 E320 CDI
The electric pre-heater is standard on all CDI's. You can turn it off by pressing the switch, when the light inside the switch is ON the pre-heater is OFF!
Disable the EGR and the engine will run even smoother with slightly more boost;
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...sable-mod.html
Disable the EGR and the engine will run even smoother with slightly more boost;
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...sable-mod.html
