W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Brake SBC question

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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 01:31 PM
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Brake SBC question

I needed new brake pads and rotors, and the calipers were all chipped / scratched up so I took them all off and had them powder coated when I did the brakes. Put it all back together knowing I would have to use STAR to bleed them, so I had the car towed to a local shop which uses Mercedes master mechanics. They told me the SBC is blown, and I need a new one. It was fine before I took every thing apart, stopped great even with worn rotors and pads. They said they couldn't get the STAR to turn on the bleed function because the SBC wasn't working. I hear it turning over when the door is opened or the ignition is turned on. Anyone else have a situation like this? I am thinking the brakes just needed to be bleed and it will work fine again. thanks
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 03:03 PM
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Get more details from the mechanic. What are the exact messages from STAR? Make sure your mechanic is persistent enough to not necessarily believe the first thing the computer tells him.

When I was reactivating my SBC after doing my LSD install, STAR told me the SBC was faulty, but it turned out to just be a low voltage condition while it was running the test, because the car had been sitting for over a week. I started the car and let it idle for about 10 minutes, then re-ran the activation process and everything was fine.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 03:38 PM
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Thanks

He said the code was for a faulty SBC, he cleared the code and tried running the bleeding sequence again and the code popped up a second time. The car has been sitting for a couple months while I was rebuilding the calipers and having them powder coated. That is a good idea letting the car run, I hear the SBC draws a lot of power. Thanks for the idea, I will give it a shot and see.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 03:50 PM
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And remember that the SBC is run off the auxiliary battery, not the main one in the trunk. Check the voltage of that battery and see if it needs replacing before doing the whole SBC, if it comes to that.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 04:55 PM
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If it's a C249F code, that's the suicide counter in the SBC. I have a tool to reset it, but be warned that that's the SBC telling you that it's on its way out.

Did your cluster give you a big red STOP message? If it did what did it say?
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 06:20 PM
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thanks again

Originally Posted by skylinrcr01
If it's a C249F code, that's the suicide counter in the SBC. I have a tool to reset it, but be warned that that's the SBC telling you that it's on its way out.

Did your cluster give you a big red STOP message? If it did what did it say?


They didn't tell me what code they read, just it was a fault code for the SBC. Before I took it to them, the red light warning read "Decreased braking power depress pedal all the way to the floor" or something like that. Now it reads "STOP Reduced braking power Diagn./Rig test"


I don't know about the suicide counter, I inherited the car from an uncle who bought it new and barely drove it, and the 2 years I have had it, it sits in my garage mostly. thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by wpbmed
... Before I took it to them, the red light warning read "Decreased braking power depress pedal all the way to the floor" or something like that. Now it reads "STOP Reduced braking power Diagn./Rig test" ...
You failed to mention this in your first post. If you saw a red brake warning BEFORE you took it to the shop, they are likely correct. You may need a new SBC.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 06:32 PM
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thanks

Alright, I just figured the computer was sensing air in all four calipers and that was what the warning was for.


Of course, the SBC came with a 10 yr warranty which expired last month.


thanks for help I appreciate it.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 06:58 PM
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I noticed you're in wpb, which shop did you take it to? I need to get the accumulator on my SBC unit replaced
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by kleeb55
I noticed you're in wpb, which shop did you take it to? I need to get the accumulator on my SBC unit replaced
You can get the accumulator on eBay for $180. Your mech or dealer will probably try to charge upwards of $800. Just FYI. Also, it's not a bad DIY if you have DAS
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by skylinrcr01
You can get the accumulator on eBay for $180. Your mech or dealer will probably try to charge upwards of $800. Just FYI. Also, it's not a bad DIY if you have DAS
Yea the dealer quoted me $1400 and when I said no, they said they'll do it for $700 lol. Either way I always do my own work, I found the accumulator for $105 online and ordered it but I don't have access to DAS unfortunately.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by kleeb55
Yea the dealer quoted me $1400 and when I said no, they said they'll do it for $700 lol. Either way I always do my own work, I found the accumulator for $105 online and ordered it but I don't have access to DAS unfortunately.
Where did you find it for $105? I just bought one for $180 a few weeks ago. :/
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by skylinrcr01
Where did you find it for $105? I just bought one for $180 a few weeks ago. :/
Omg it's down to $96 now! I bought mine about a month ago.

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/0...G14-V3891.aspx

Sorry if I'm not supposed to post links but that's a great deal for anybody that is looking for one! I am in no way shape or form affiliated with that site, I just recently bought stuff from there, oh and shipping was quick as well.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by kleeb55
Omg it's down to $96 now! I bought mine about a month ago.

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/0...G14-V3891.aspx

Sorry if I'm not supposed to post links but that's a great deal for anybody that is looking for one! I am in no way shape or form affiliated with that site, I just recently bought stuff from there, oh and shipping was quick as well.
Man, now I feel like a chump. Well at least you got a good deal.
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Old Sep 7, 2016 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by skylinrcr01
Man, now I feel like a chump. Well at least you got a good deal.
Thanks! But don't sweat it, that has happened to me plenty of times haha
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Old Sep 8, 2016 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by kleeb55
I noticed you're in wpb, which shop did you take it to? I need to get the accumulator on my SBC unit replaced

Foreign Affairs at Military and Westgate, but you can get one online for less than a $100.00. I was reading online last night a lot of people have changed them out themselves without any issues. Screw out the old, screw in the new.
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 03:01 PM
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Answer

Update in case anyone else has same problem.


I borrowed a hand held scanner that is used for doing European brakes. I plugged it in and it told me the pump was deactivated. I reactivated pump by pressing "reactivate" and it worked just fine. I was told it was deactivated because it is Mercedes way of saving the pump from burning out. After sensing so much air throughout the whole system is deactivated itself. I used the "Bleed Brakes" process and after getting all the air out, the pump works perfect. I don't know why the independent guy and his fancy STAR scanner couldn't figure this out, or maybe they did and just saw money signs.
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 06:23 PM
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Oh wow well that's good to know, I don't think I'll be taking my car there then. I actually spoke to Frank about some pricing and was thinking about it. That's why I like to always do my own work, I've never taking any of my cars to a shop, but now with this one I might need to invest in a STAR set up.
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 07:11 PM
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Great price on the accumulator, you can change out that part by just unplugging the sbc and then plug back in when done
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Old Sep 15, 2016 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by wpbmed
Update in case anyone else has same problem.


I borrowed a hand held scanner that is used for doing European brakes. I plugged it in and it told me the pump was deactivated. I reactivated pump by pressing "reactivate" and it worked just fine. I was told it was deactivated because it is Mercedes way of saving the pump from burning out. After sensing so much air throughout the whole system is deactivated itself. I used the "Bleed Brakes" process and after getting all the air out, the pump works perfect. I don't know why the independent guy and his fancy STAR scanner couldn't figure this out, or maybe they did and just saw money signs.
Any idea which scanner that was?
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Old Sep 16, 2016 | 02:38 PM
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MaxiEST is the brand of the scanner. Small, no bigger than an old flip phone.

I would stay away from Foreign Affairs, I have heard more complaints about them screwing people. Call Avenue Imports at 561-588-6811 they can do all the same work for much cheaper, and are 100 percent honest.
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Old Sep 16, 2016 | 04:45 PM
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Wade at European specialist in Wellington is good too
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Old Sep 18, 2016 | 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Hulk
Great price on the accumulator, you can change out that part by just unplugging the sbc and then plug back in when done
So you mean that the accumulator can be removed after just unplugging the SBC? So no high pressure brakefluid spillage is to be concerned of? can you estimate the amount thats going to drain out?

Thanks
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Old Sep 18, 2016 | 03:41 PM
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Some will spill out, have a rag under the opening.

Open the hood close all doors and make car go into sleep mode, then unplug the sbc plug.
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Old Sep 18, 2016 | 03:47 PM
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Also take off slowly with a rag to release any pressure
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