204 electrical gremlins

[rdmstewa]

Hi Folks

I've just bought (for the missus) a 2013 C180 estate showing just shy of 60k. But we've got a few problems - 1. It's quite difficult to disengage the parking brake. The brake comes off easily enough but the dash warning light doesn't go out, so the system thinks the brake is still on. We get the warning message. We have to muck about with the brake release. 2. When that happens the steering goes stiff and the Power Steering warning visit workshop message comes up. 3. Then, having narrowly avoid totalling a traffic light the ABS (nearside) warning flashes up and goes off - the steering comes back and the brake warning light goes out. Then all is OK for a bit. Sometimes none of this happens. Sometimes the brake warning comes back on when the car is on the move and we might get the other palaver. Or we might not. 4. The stop start doesn't work.
I half suspect the battery (it's probably the original) even though the engine starts fine. Or could it be something else.
Has anyone experienced this?

 

[onefortheroad]

Have the rear shoes nipped up, also get under the dash where the handbrake workings are with a tin of penetrating oil , work the system as you spray the moving parts . This will help in releasing it , also you can hook your foot under the pedal and pull up.

Get a smart charger off eBay £15 or Lidl and charge the main battery . If it's the original, change it , winter's on the way .

 

[rdmstewa]

Thanks onefor theroad. Car's going into my local independent tomorrow to get the rear shoes nipped up. I'll also ask them to lube the mechanism.
But I'm curious to understand the interplay between the messages - how come the "brake on" (when it isn't) message can cause the PAS to stop working - which is quite frightening - and also throw the ABS warning, albeit only momentarily?

 

[Blobcat]

Could be a rogue reading coming from an ABS sensor. Live readings will highlight if there’s an issue.

 

[rdmstewa]

Thanks Blobcat. Let's see what the guys at GAC say tomorrow...

 

[onefortheroad]

Thanks Blobcat. Let's see what the guys at GAC say tomorrow...

I wouldn't think the 2 are related tbh. 1 is mechanical the other electrical. Mercs need to see 12.4 v to be happy . When the battery drops to 11.9 v etc . You have issues.

 

[rdmstewa]

Took it local MB independent - diagnosed duff parking brake pedal (had that before, seems quite common) and car also needed new auxiliary battery. Still not convinced that this has solved the intermittent PAS steering failures, so we'll have to see how it goes. What was wrong with a belt driven PAS pump, eh?