SBC malfunction = accident
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Poland
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SBC malfunction = accident
Good Afternoon all SBC users
In January my boss had an accident In his E 55 AMG. He drove approx 60 km/h and on the control panel He saw information that there is a brake problem and He Has to stop the car. Unforttunatly it was not possibile. The pedal went to the floor. He Stopped the car on the pavement. He was lucky that nobody was on it. HE broke two alloy Wheel.
He was not able to stop the vehicule…
THis is not the end of the story
Our company Has also E320 CDI eqipped with the same system
Some inetressant issues:
In June 2004 both cars had official SBC update.
In Decmeber 2004 only E320 had SBC update but It was unofficial during visit In sernice In another purpose.
Directly after accident of E55 the service made unofficial SBC update
In August ( E320 ) had 3 SBC sernice action. (2 official and one unofficial)
2 weeks later In the garaże the same information as In E55 AMG appear
Now another point of view.
For 2 years I worked as supplier quality auditor ISO TS 16949/2002 for one of the biggest Automotive company. I made quality analysis of this case.
"Unofficial recall campaign"
Such an attitude is totally not Ok with all automotive standards. I know that It is because of press coments e.t.c. but here the price is health and lives of DC users.
Regarding point 8.3.3 ISO TS
The customer should be ( take as must) immediately informed about wrong part or product. We can treat SBC as safety critical component so a failure may influence your life or health. SO DC can not wait till user will come to dealership for example to change tires and in meantime they will make SBC upgrade....And if the user will not change the tires or something alike...what will happen? He will have accident beacuse DC will not have the "black Public relations"
Point 8.5.2.4
The time for trials/analysis of "defected" part should be as short as possible, and the record if necessary should be presented to the customer.
I asked many times for analysys what was the root cause of my boss accident. They never replied. They said that everything is under control....So how can they release the car to the customer when they are not aware what is the root cause of the problem.
AS DC makes recalls they must be sure that the countermeasures are effective....We can observe the effectiveness- 3 times "SBC upgrade"
And also some accident happen after SBC upgrade
My opinion is that DC is not aware what the real root cause is. That is why you have to visit frequently your service to make anothe upgrade...
In my opinion the SBC was not tested enough. Some errors were made during launch of the product.
According to me the SBC is dangerous and the problem is not managed correctly by DC. It may happen in all E class. I wonder how many SBC upgrade will they prepare for users....
I Would like to ask everybody who had problems (emergency situation/ accident) to post an answer ot to email me. Maybe we can Exchange our idea and point sof view to have some New idea show to save us from this device (SBC)
I struggle with DC Since 9 months. And they send us very unpolite replies. They never want to tell what the Real root causa of the problem is.
We manager to collect lot of information but the more the Belter, so I Am searching more SBC „victims” to workout a common approach vs DC
Best regards
In January my boss had an accident In his E 55 AMG. He drove approx 60 km/h and on the control panel He saw information that there is a brake problem and He Has to stop the car. Unforttunatly it was not possibile. The pedal went to the floor. He Stopped the car on the pavement. He was lucky that nobody was on it. HE broke two alloy Wheel.
He was not able to stop the vehicule…
THis is not the end of the story
Our company Has also E320 CDI eqipped with the same system
Some inetressant issues:
In June 2004 both cars had official SBC update.
In Decmeber 2004 only E320 had SBC update but It was unofficial during visit In sernice In another purpose.
Directly after accident of E55 the service made unofficial SBC update
In August ( E320 ) had 3 SBC sernice action. (2 official and one unofficial)
2 weeks later In the garaże the same information as In E55 AMG appear
Now another point of view.
For 2 years I worked as supplier quality auditor ISO TS 16949/2002 for one of the biggest Automotive company. I made quality analysis of this case.
"Unofficial recall campaign"
Such an attitude is totally not Ok with all automotive standards. I know that It is because of press coments e.t.c. but here the price is health and lives of DC users.
Regarding point 8.3.3 ISO TS
The customer should be ( take as must) immediately informed about wrong part or product. We can treat SBC as safety critical component so a failure may influence your life or health. SO DC can not wait till user will come to dealership for example to change tires and in meantime they will make SBC upgrade....And if the user will not change the tires or something alike...what will happen? He will have accident beacuse DC will not have the "black Public relations"
Point 8.5.2.4
The time for trials/analysis of "defected" part should be as short as possible, and the record if necessary should be presented to the customer.
I asked many times for analysys what was the root cause of my boss accident. They never replied. They said that everything is under control....So how can they release the car to the customer when they are not aware what is the root cause of the problem.
AS DC makes recalls they must be sure that the countermeasures are effective....We can observe the effectiveness- 3 times "SBC upgrade"
And also some accident happen after SBC upgrade
My opinion is that DC is not aware what the real root cause is. That is why you have to visit frequently your service to make anothe upgrade...
In my opinion the SBC was not tested enough. Some errors were made during launch of the product.
According to me the SBC is dangerous and the problem is not managed correctly by DC. It may happen in all E class. I wonder how many SBC upgrade will they prepare for users....
I Would like to ask everybody who had problems (emergency situation/ accident) to post an answer ot to email me. Maybe we can Exchange our idea and point sof view to have some New idea show to save us from this device (SBC)
I struggle with DC Since 9 months. And they send us very unpolite replies. They never want to tell what the Real root causa of the problem is.
We manager to collect lot of information but the more the Belter, so I Am searching more SBC „victims” to workout a common approach vs DC
Best regards
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 E500 / 2001 C240
My SBC has actually saved me a few times.. I am glad that I have not had a problem. I am also dissapointed that pressure has made them discontinue it..
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: FL410
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by ATS
My SBC has actually saved me a few times.. I am glad that I have not had a problem. I am also dissapointed that pressure has made them discontinue it..
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
In my not so humble opinion, MBUSA is really slow about recalls. In fact, they will try to stonewall customers for as long as they can. The M112 V6 and M113 V8's were produced with poorly designed harmonic balancers that would come apart and do quite a bit of damage. MBUSA refused to admit they had a problem despite clear evidence otherwise. After threats of lawsuits and after complaints to the Feds, they began to pay for repairs but never did admit to having a problem.
There were many iterations of the harmonic balancer until they finally seemed to have got it right.
The problem with the SBC cable connector should have been a recall from the very beginning but they made it a campaign that was only installed when someone took their car to a dealer for something else. Thanks to Konigstiger, I took my car in as soon as I heard about it. I believe that the SBC cable connector coming loose is the root cause of many unexplained SBC problems along with dealer screwups doing incorrect brake fluid changes.
In my experience, BMW have more design problems but they are also better about fixing them. BMW treats you less like a naive rich owner and more like an enthusiest. At least they used to. Maybe now it's no different then Mercedes.
There were many iterations of the harmonic balancer until they finally seemed to have got it right.
The problem with the SBC cable connector should have been a recall from the very beginning but they made it a campaign that was only installed when someone took their car to a dealer for something else. Thanks to Konigstiger, I took my car in as soon as I heard about it. I believe that the SBC cable connector coming loose is the root cause of many unexplained SBC problems along with dealer screwups doing incorrect brake fluid changes.
In my experience, BMW have more design problems but they are also better about fixing them. BMW treats you less like a naive rich owner and more like an enthusiest. At least they used to. Maybe now it's no different then Mercedes.
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: FL410
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by BudC
In my not so humble opinion, MBUSA is really slow about recalls. In fact, they will try to stonewall customers for as long as they can. The M112 V6 and M113 V8's were produced with poorly designed harmonic balancers that would come apart and do quite a bit of damage. MBUSA refused to admit they had a problem despite clear evidence otherwise. After threats of lawsuits and after complaints to the Feds, they began to pay for repairs but never did admit to having a problem.
There were many iterations of the harmonic balancer until they finally seemed to have got it right.
The problem with the SBC cable connector should have been a recall from the very beginning but they made it a campaign that was only installed when someone took their car to a dealer for something else. Thanks to Konigstiger, I took my car in as soon as I heard about it. I believe that the SBC cable connector coming loose is the root cause of many unexplained SBC problems along with dealer screwups doing incorrect brake fluid changes.
In my experience, BMW have more design problems but they are also better about fixing them. BMW treats you less like a naive rich owner and more like an enthusiest. At least they used to. Maybe now it's no different then Mercedes.
There were many iterations of the harmonic balancer until they finally seemed to have got it right.
The problem with the SBC cable connector should have been a recall from the very beginning but they made it a campaign that was only installed when someone took their car to a dealer for something else. Thanks to Konigstiger, I took my car in as soon as I heard about it. I believe that the SBC cable connector coming loose is the root cause of many unexplained SBC problems along with dealer screwups doing incorrect brake fluid changes.
In my experience, BMW have more design problems but they are also better about fixing them. BMW treats you less like a naive rich owner and more like an enthusiest. At least they used to. Maybe now it's no different then Mercedes.
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by CE750
Bud, is there a visual difference in the SBC pump after the fix? If so, can you take a digital photo and post it?
Trending Topics
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: FL410
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by BudC
OK, I have a JPeg of it, how do I post it?
BUT FIRST.. make sure you resize the .jpg to no larger than 600x400, using your photoprocessing software..
if you need more help call me.. I'll PM you my phone number incase you need it.
#9
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Poland
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by CE750
Can you please post some of the email replies from DC for us?
Of course I will prepare till end of the week the summary.
Also, what year was the E55? and what country?
Of course I will prepare till end of the week the summary.
Also, what year was the E55? and what country?
Year 2003
Country Poland
best regards
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: FL410
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by kbond555
Year 2003
Country Poland
best regards
Country Poland
best regards
What is with the "unofficial" SBC updates? What was that all about? Who did the work, and what was it?
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by CE750
Bud, is there a visual difference in the SBC pump after the fix? If so, can you take a digital photo and post it?
Last edited by BudC; 12-14-2005 at 01:51 PM.
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: FL410
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Here are a series of photo's of my SBC which apparently need 0-recalls from the factory.
Anyone see anything different in mine from yours?
The harness that Bud replaced seems to look just like mine to me.
Anyone see anything different in mine from yours?
The harness that Bud replaced seems to look just like mine to me.
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
For those who haven't seen it, here are two SBC changes.
The flexible line update P-B-42.46/32 Retrofit Flex Lines and Return.
The other one is P-B-42.46/32B Dampner Valve Update for SBC System.
This was nice work by Phoenix Motor Company
The flexible line update P-B-42.46/32 Retrofit Flex Lines and Return.
The other one is P-B-42.46/32B Dampner Valve Update for SBC System.
This was nice work by Phoenix Motor Company
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: FL410
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by BudC
For those who haven't seen it, here are two SBC changes.
The flexible line update P-B-42.46/32 Retrofit Flex Lines and Return.
The other one is P-B-42.46/32B Dampner Valve Update for SBC System.
This was nice work by Phoenix Motor Company
The flexible line update P-B-42.46/32 Retrofit Flex Lines and Return.
The other one is P-B-42.46/32B Dampner Valve Update for SBC System.
This was nice work by Phoenix Motor Company
Now I'm confused..
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by CE750
What they should have done is design a better failsafe system... A hydraulic assist for the manual back up would have been my solution, rather than give up on leading edge safety technology, just because when it fails, it fails completely!
![hammer](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bonk.gif)
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by CE750
now that is odd? How is it that I don't have that modification, and yet my car needs no recalls? Could they have reengineered the mount for my car so it didnt' need the flexline?
Now I'm confused..
Now I'm confused..
Thanks to Konigtiger I've tried to stay ahead of the curve. That brake fluid change actually improved the ergonomics of the SBC brake system.
After looking at what they did, you would want to make sure that whoever does the flex change knows what he's doing.
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by mleskovar
That would make it a complete 'old technology' system to back up the SBC
I'm still waiting to be convinced as to what are the "added features" of SBC that make it worthwhile.
![hammer](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/bonk.gif)
We've all gotten along for quite a while without individual wheel braking. We've even got along for quite a while w/o ABS.
I even got along with a 1963 Buick with dynaflow transmission and drum brakes and came off Pikes Peak with that sucker. Would I do it again, no way!
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
ML 320 CDI
I think the guy who started this post talks out of his ***!
How many people know anyone who has actually has SBC failiure? Theres not many.
I still say that SBC is great, I find it works superbly and sooner or later every car will have a similar system. How unreliable is it compared to a conventional system? I've had total brake failiure before on another car but I have nothing but praise for this system.
Just my humble opinoin.
How many people know anyone who has actually has SBC failiure? Theres not many.
I still say that SBC is great, I find it works superbly and sooner or later every car will have a similar system. How unreliable is it compared to a conventional system? I've had total brake failiure before on another car but I have nothing but praise for this system.
Just my humble opinoin.
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#21
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
7 Posts
04 E320 4 Matic, 95 Audi S6, 99 Carrera 4 Cabrio, 12 Fiat 500 Sport, 00 BMW R1200C 10, BMW R1200R
Originally Posted by BudC
This is the fix for people who complained about SBC noise. I didn't have that problem but I wanted to get a free brake fluid change so I asked PMC to do this change. I suspect there aren't many people who have had this done. This is the so-called Dampner change.
Thanks to Konigtiger I've tried to stay ahead of the curve. That brake fluid change actually improved the ergonomics of the SBC brake system.
After looking at what they did, you would want to make sure that whoever does the flex change knows what he's doing.
Thanks to Konigtiger I've tried to stay ahead of the curve. That brake fluid change actually improved the ergonomics of the SBC brake system.
After looking at what they did, you would want to make sure that whoever does the flex change knows what he's doing.
I am still wondering if I want the flex lines changed. They found that this was really not necessary to get rid of the noise and they did not update that fix on the new cars. That is why you don’t have them CE750.
As per the original picture from Bud; I don't really see what the fix is. Is it that zip tie on the cable harness?
I have to bundle up a list of things to have done for the next time I go in to the dealer:
New SBC recall
Pull about .25 of a quart of oil to send in for testing (after I drive 4k miles more).
Make my car beep when I lock it.
Have them stamp and fill out my service booklet, just because.
And this is a new one! My passenger side wood panel got a hairline crack on the wood varnish right underneath the seat adjuster switch. This happened when it was -17 F outside. This is why I don't have a wooden steering wheel. I have found that most of the wood panels will crack out here. It is hard to notice, but if it is covered, then I want it fixed!
As you can see these are really important things! I really think that I got a good W211 (so far).
Steve
#22
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Poland
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by CE750
There is your answer... the 2003 has the older SBC..
What is with the "unofficial" SBC updates? What was that all about? Who did the work, and what was it?
What is with the "unofficial" SBC updates? What was that all about? Who did the work, and what was it?
That you go to your dealership for example for changing tyres or changing oil and in the meantime they make SBC upgrade.
#24
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Originally Posted by SAguirre
I am still wondering if I want the flex lines changed. They found that this was really not necessary to get rid of the noise and they did not update that fix on the new cars. That is why you don’t have them CE750.
As per the original picture from Bud; I don't really see what the fix is. Is it that zip tie on the cable harness? Steve
As per the original picture from Bud; I don't really see what the fix is. Is it that zip tie on the cable harness? Steve
I really don't know what they did on the cable change. It might be out of sight. Maybe someone with an older car could compare the picture with their car to see if they notice any difference.
#25
Out Of Control!!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: North Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 15,903
Received 4,435 Likes
on
3,152 Posts
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by CE750
The harness that Bud replaced seems to look just like mine to me.