52 reg c220 starter motor removal MUST READ

thus

Active Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
My car a c220 was taken to a garage. This garage was recommeded by a leading breakdown recovery firm.

After changing the starter the car would not start so they directed the starter, I was told by the garage that the program would settle, it just needed a little coaxing hence directing it straight to the power supply.

So I took it home (approx 2.5 miles) my car by the time I reached my house it had caught fire. The damage sustained was to the loom and the ECU total damage is approx 2500.

The garage is called RECON AUTOS and are on Grove Lane, Handsworth in Birmingham.

They have totally denied that they were responsible.

But I have had independent engineers out who have stated that the fire did commence in the starter motor area.

I have also noted that a large cable was left of the starter motor, the cable ends in a matchbox size plastic box with a filament running through it does anybody know where that attaches to or what its purpose is?

Thanks in advance
 
Last edited:

panason1c

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2004
Messages
1,927
Reaction score
7
Age
70
Location
Somerset, UK
Your Mercedes
Mercedes ML270CDI, VW Polo 1.9tdi, BMW K1200RS
RECON AUTOS? ....should be more like....'CON AUTOS',

"the program would settle, it just needed a little coaxing".............total rubbish!.........sounds like you've been conned alright!.
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
When SAM comes on line or one of the other indies,,they will know what it is,,,thanks for putting up the story,,will you get any redress from the garage or will the fight be too hard
 

Cole@MBS

Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Dec 1, 2008
Messages
13,702
Reaction score
950
Age
54
Location
Southampton
Website
www.mbssouthampton.co.uk
Your Mercedes
124 300 CE 24 Coupe, C220CDI, Porsche 911 4s, Dolomite sprint,
There is a ring on one end for the 13mm nut to the starter, the other end is straight to the battery
 
OP
T

thus

Active Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #5
Hi

Thanks

I've had a look and the ring in question comes of the loom from the top of the engine below the scuttle, this plastic matchbox size box with a filament I think comes from the alternator. Its attached to a 15 to 20 mm thick wire which comes out of a metal sleeving (Pipe)from underneath the car, connected to the body of the car at the back and underneath of starter any ideas would be grateful?

I have had a look at the document provided by Television on how to remove a starter and I am sure that this plastic box with a flange sits above the ring connection on the starter and I think is attached by a 15 mm nut above the 13mm nut?

But I can't make it out clearly from the pictures. Any ideas would be grateful?

Regards
 

Miffy

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2008
Messages
7,356
Reaction score
4
Location
Bromley, London
Your Mercedes
CLK 320 CAB Elegance C208
Hi

Thanks

I've had a look and the ring in question comes of the loom from the top of the engine below the scuttle, this plastic matchbox size box with a filament I think comes from the alternator. Its attached to a 15 to 20 mm thick wire which comes out of a metal sleeving (Pipe)from underneath the car, connected to the body of the car at the back and underneath of starter any ideas would be grateful?

I have had a look at the document provided by Television on how to remove a starter and I am sure that this plastic box with a flange sits above the ring connection on the starter and I think is attached by a 15 mm nut above the 13mm nut?

But I can't make it out clearly from the pictures. Any ideas would be grateful?

Regards

Why not take a few pictures of what your looking at, then others here may know 100% what your looking at?
 

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
This is something that I cannot answer as it needs hands on experience
 

Rory

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2005
Messages
5,016
Reaction score
233
Location
Cheshire, UK
Your Mercedes
2005 C270CDi Avantgarde Estate. Bought 2005, sold 2022.
I have also noted that a large cable was left of the starter motor, the cable ends in a matchbox size plastic box with a filament running through it does anybody know where that attaches to or what its purpose is?

Difficult to tell from your description but a filament implies a resistor - hard to imagine why that would be the case. Could it be a fuse?

You might be best claiming on your insurance and letting them sort out the legal aspects. You should be able to recover any premium increase and excess as part of the claim or else you could take action against the garage in the small claims court (it's an online thing now).
 
OP
T

thus

Active Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Hi

I have attached some pictures I think it is a large fuse(?) and it should be attached to the starter but wasn't- Has anyone got a idea on where it goes?

What are the implications of leaving this off whilst directing the starter?

Thanks
 

Attachments

  • 16092009.jpg
    16092009.jpg
    178.6 KB · Views: 142
  • 16092009(001).jpg
    16092009(001).jpg
    158.1 KB · Views: 107
  • 16092009(002).jpg
    16092009(002).jpg
    183.8 KB · Views: 111

television

Always remembered RIP
Joined
Mar 14, 2005
Messages
164,073
Reaction score
367
Age
89
Location
Daventry
Your Mercedes
2002 SL500, 216 CL500, all fully loaded
I can look at the diagrams later to see what it is
 
OP
T

thus

Active Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #14
I assume this attaches to the top of the starter (and also at the same point on the starter )there is an additional wire similar thickness with a flange at the end - I assume these two attach together at the same point at the top of the starter above the 13mm ring connection?

I cannot believe a recommended garage would make such a fundemental mistake!!!

Thanks for the help.
 
OP
T

thus

Active Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Hi

Can I ask you one more question -there is another thick cable similar to the main feed that ends in a flange but without the fuse (as in the main feed to the starter) do you know where that connects to?

Thanks
 

d:class automotive are specialists in automotive interiors and upholstery. From Mercedes and modern cars to custom and classics. Tel: 01483 722923 Email:info@dclass.co.ukWeb:www.dclass.co.uk
Top Bottom