Monty5150
New Member
Good evening all.
I have had a CLK500 for the last year, it was CAT C'd back in 2008 and put straight back on the road with all the correct paperwork. MOT'd & serviced by an Indy Merc garage 3 months ago, currently 86k on the clock. Last week whilst in the outside lane of the M25 the brakes completely failed, as in no resistance on the brake pedal and full travel to the floor. The BAS & ESP lights came on and i managed to get over to the hard shoulder & stop. Whilst being recovered the brakes went back to normal and the warning lights went off. The car is currently at the Indy & so far they have found nothing to cause the fault lights. They are keeping it for a few days and will run about in it to see if anything changes but as it stands all they can do is give it back to me. Understandably i don't trust it now.
I've done some research and know that it does not have the SBC system that has plagued other models and that there are a number of possible causes such as the brake pedal switch, battery, steering sensor etc. I have not tried swapping any parts yet although did try the steering lock left/right/left and restart fix which did not immediately extinguish the warning lights. I believe that another possible cause can be the master cylinder which it would seem has a circa 10 year life. Of possible relevance i had to carry out an emergency stop a few days before the failure.
I'm happy to try replacing parts etc but my issue is that if this is an intermittant fault how do i ascertain whether a replacement part has fixed it before i take it back on the road? I assume that replacing all possible parts will not be viable due to the value of the car. It was bought as a fun car and i have £6k invested in it but at present it's scrap as i won't take my family in it & will not sell it as it is. Short of breaking it for parts what are my options? I've wanted a V8 since i was old enough to appreciate one and after a short ownership it looks like my dream has come to an end. Any help gratefully appreciated.
I have had a CLK500 for the last year, it was CAT C'd back in 2008 and put straight back on the road with all the correct paperwork. MOT'd & serviced by an Indy Merc garage 3 months ago, currently 86k on the clock. Last week whilst in the outside lane of the M25 the brakes completely failed, as in no resistance on the brake pedal and full travel to the floor. The BAS & ESP lights came on and i managed to get over to the hard shoulder & stop. Whilst being recovered the brakes went back to normal and the warning lights went off. The car is currently at the Indy & so far they have found nothing to cause the fault lights. They are keeping it for a few days and will run about in it to see if anything changes but as it stands all they can do is give it back to me. Understandably i don't trust it now.
I've done some research and know that it does not have the SBC system that has plagued other models and that there are a number of possible causes such as the brake pedal switch, battery, steering sensor etc. I have not tried swapping any parts yet although did try the steering lock left/right/left and restart fix which did not immediately extinguish the warning lights. I believe that another possible cause can be the master cylinder which it would seem has a circa 10 year life. Of possible relevance i had to carry out an emergency stop a few days before the failure.
I'm happy to try replacing parts etc but my issue is that if this is an intermittant fault how do i ascertain whether a replacement part has fixed it before i take it back on the road? I assume that replacing all possible parts will not be viable due to the value of the car. It was bought as a fun car and i have £6k invested in it but at present it's scrap as i won't take my family in it & will not sell it as it is. Short of breaking it for parts what are my options? I've wanted a V8 since i was old enough to appreciate one and after a short ownership it looks like my dream has come to an end. Any help gratefully appreciated.