Hi everyone!


Quick question re: error on the suction fan. Just completed scanning my car with Carly for Android and had an interesting error code pop up during the scan that won't retire/clear. It's Fault code 002518, and it defines the error as "Check component M4/7, Engine and AC suction fan. Positioner signals fault (Fault Y)". I checked the operation of the fan this morning and the fan is correctly actuating when AC is turned on and doesn't show any signs of failure from an eyeball estimate. I received one message one time during the initial scan on the dash, the "Coolant visit workshop", then nothing after clearing the errors.


I've read the tutorial on the functioning of the fan system and can't find anything in there referring to a positioner and why it'd trigger an error. Is it possible the control module is going south and maybe triggering an error on commanded vs. actual fan output, or possibly a fan motor showing some age & running slower then the callout from the module? I don't want to forklift the assembly if I don't have to, thought maybe someone had run into this one before.


Thanks!
Eric

 

Well.... it's nice to meet you Plutoe. You're assuming quite a lot here with no basic knowledge of myself or my capabilities. I DO have basic knowledge and experience in using scanners, automotive programming, and have been doing it for well over 15 years. Not that I need to list these but I've diagnosed, coded/programmed both OBDI & OBDII cars, diagnosed Ford EEC systems, as well as VW/Audi and Porsche (with Durametric, VCDS, HP Tuners, TunerCat and a few different handheld scan tools). I also run a national forum site specific to Holden cars imported to the US for use as police vehicles. In another venue you might call me Sysop, but I'm betraying how far I go back in the forum world. Unfortunately I've not had hands-on as of yet with STAR, but that's going to be shortly fixing itself methinks. The Carly scanner is just a cheap stop-gap.


My question was very simple relative to the system involved, and yes I can interpret error messages, do understand the theory and basic operation of the fan system and did take the time to research the available on-line tutorials, which is a darned sight more then most people do before they post. I had already read and printed a hard copy of the document you attached before I asked the question - and... it unfortunately has no information relative to my question. The word "positioner" isn't even mentioned in the document - which is why I asked in the first place. So, since you apparently didn't thoroughly read my question before replying let's try this again please.


Lastly, I see you're a neighbor of mine here in Central Florida. If you're in the Orlando area I'd invite you out to a nice Wednesday night European car group meet with an award-winning group of social car owners. Unfortunately our Mercedes master tech is AWOL from the meets right now or I'd have asked him directly... think he took a vacation. Guess life is good when you repair Mercedes


Thanks
Eric

 

Well now. One thing I've learned about Mercedes in the close to two years I've had my E320CDI is that you never assume anything with these cars due to a combination of both over-engineering and sometimes wonky design. I did cross-check my E320CDI fault codes publication from Mercedes out of an abundance of caution, and found a hit on this fault that translates to a P2518 if you see it on a OBDII reader (or on Star a "2518-0XX") and is more specifically explained in AD07.16-P-4000-35CA or CAD. And I've also got to give the Carly folks credit, the fault description is essentially word for word out of the official Mercedes list - they just present the code slightly differently and that threw me off. I just have to find the AD07 verbiage now to get the exact read on the expanded fault description.


Based on anecdotal evidence from other owners it looks like the fault could be related to either the fan control module, or possibly a wire coming out of the module losing continuity - people seem to have had both go bad (now that I'm searching the correct code and found a few forum references with this or similar problems). I'm just wondering how minor the fault is that will trip the code. From visual appearances the fan is working completely correctly - however the code won't reset. Looks like it's time for Star for confirmation.... sigh.... I can feel a new fan module in my near future!

 

Well.. regardless what Plutoe will tell you - you don't need SD nor DAS to check a wire continuity.
Having 2 options what could be bad, I prefer to start with easy one.
$2 tool for diagnosis

 

Hello mate good evening from Australia . I know this is a old post but I’m hoping you can shed some light on my problem which is exactly the same as yours I have the same fault code stored , my fan is working after testing on star , also live data shows the coolant temp to be good , but similar to you I get the thermometer pop up on the central dash , did you end up replacing the fan control module or was it something else cheers Alex

 

Hello mate good evening from Australia , I have exactly the same issue and fault code after plugging star in , can you shed any light on the issue I know it’s a good few years ago , but what solved it cheers Alex




QUOTE=elc32955;6769983]Hi everyone!


Quick question re: error on the suction fan. Just completed scanning my car with Carly for Android and had an interesting error code pop up during the scan that won't retire/clear. It's Fault code 002518, and it defines the error as "Check component M4/7, Engine and AC suction fan. Positioner signals fault (Fault Y)". I checked the operation of the fan this morning and the fan is correctly actuating when AC is turned on and doesn't show any signs of failure from an eyeball estimate. I received one message one time during the initial scan on the dash, the "Coolant visit workshop", then nothing after clearing the errors.





I've read the tutorial on the functioning of the fan system and can't find anything in there referring to a positioner and why it'd trigger an error. Is it possible the control module is going south and maybe triggering an error on commanded vs. actual fan output, or possibly a fan motor showing some age & running slower then the callout from the module? I don't want to forklift the assembly if I don't have to, thought maybe someone had run into this one before.


Thanks!
Eric[/QUOTE]