E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

Fan Spinning at full power

Old Mar 7, 2018 | 11:13 AM
  #1  
Archie C320's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C320
Fan Spinning at full power

Merc C320 2008 - yesterday on the way home I have noticed that my engine fan was spinning at full power. Half way home i started to smell burning plastic getting more potent. The stench was terrible. Then i realised my beam lights not responding and my indicators are playing up also. This morning i've started the car and the beams were working fine so did the indicators but my windscreen wipers and spray was not responding. The fan was still spinning at full speed.

Did anyone experienced something like this or does anyone know the cause of the problem and the fix?

Regards

Archie
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2018 | 01:04 PM
  #2  
FlatlineEF9's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 26
From: Hawaii
1996 E320, 2018 Ducati Panigale V4S, 2012 1199 Panigale
Hi Archie,

No idea what it could be, but you may want to post your question in the correct forum. This is the w210 e class forum.
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2018 | 02:18 AM
  #3  
Polar Bear's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 143
W221 S600, W220 S55 AMG Kompressor, W124 300E, W140 S320, W210 E3204M W164 ML320 Bluetec
Originally Posted by Archie C320
Merc C320 2008 - yesterday on the way home I have noticed that my engine fan was spinning at full power. Half way home i started to smell burning plastic getting more potent. The stench was terrible. Then i realised my beam lights not responding and my indicators are playing up also. This morning i've started the car and the beams were working fine so did the indicators but my windscreen wipers and spray was not responding. The fan was still spinning at full speed.

Did anyone experienced something like this or does anyone know the cause of the problem and the fix?

Regards

Archie
I just went through a similar issue with my W210. I spent a considerable amount of time diagnosing it and finally got it fixed after many hours, and had to replace no parts (in my situation). However, I will say that these vehicles have rather complex cooling systems on them, so if the ECU or Climate Control unit does not receive a valid value from a sensor it needs to accurately calculate the fan speed to maintain the engine temperature within spec, it defaults to a "safe mode" of operation, which is if it runs the fan on high all the time, the chances of overheating your engine are extremely low, since the ECU assumes it is not getting an accurate value of the coolant temperature or A/C condenser temperature.

With all of the additional things you are seeing in addition to the fan issue, it sounds like a SAM issue as it controls the power to your wipers, fan controller, and many other things on your car. Also, be sure to check all of the fuses. Fuses labeled for a circuit that appears to have absolutely noting to do with your issue could indirectly impact the module causing the problem, so it takes little time and could be a simple, inexpensive fix.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:09 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE