88 230E Failed NCT(MOT)

[Mikesmerc]

Hi all
my 230 failed its NCT this morning on three different faults. ABS light on, brakes still work and register fine on test machine. Is this a fail for an MOT over there?. Hand/foot brake weak, thats OK guilty. Stiff steering, when jacked up and the road wheel used to turn left to right. Isnt this supposed to be stiff with the steering damper attached?. When asked what is making it stiff he proceeded to tell me it could be the ball joints or any number of things but it steers fine from inside the car. I told him I would take the bulb out of the ABS the next time.
Totally cheesed off.
Regards
Mike

 

[mike65]

Bad luck! The ABS light might indicate a dodgy OVP relay. Is the car starting well? I changed the tie rods and ball joints on my car and its a cheap enough job. Get the bits from German Parts in Bray.

Mike.

 

[Mikesmerc]

God knows I have looked for it Mike, but cant seem to find it. My 90 560sec has it on the centre of the firewall with a flip cap containing a fuse(silver). Should I be looking for the same in my230 or is it one of the black ones with no fuse? Where is it in your 190 Mike?
Is that Otto german car parts?
Cheers
Mike
Yes it takes two turns of the key to start.

 

[mike65]

In my 190 its behind the battery (passenger side) inside the firewall besides the ECU. Its like your other car - silver with fuse on top. I'm pretty sure its in the same place on a 230 (if your is a w124).

Mike.

 

[Mikesmerc]

Thanks Mike,
Justin gave the same answer in a previous post "124 wont start", I must be going daft not to see it, will check tomorrow.
Regards
Mike

 

[230K]

I told him I would take the bulb out of the ABS the next time.

They check that the bulb lights when they turn on the ignition so you could still be caught out.
The handbrake shoes are easy to adjust try Haynes manual for 124 or 201.
Stiff steering is probably down to bottom balljoints

My 10p's worth

230K
PS Only buy genuine parts try 00442890689000 you could be surprised. Track rod for 124 £25

 

[mike65]

Why dont they put these things inside the glovebox?!

As for parts German Auto Parts in Bray they are quick and they use regular post rather than expensive couriers phone them on 01 282 9566

Mike.

 

[Mikesmerc]

Thanks for the tel Nos will give em a try. Are the shoes adjusted by removing one wheel stud and rotating the wheel until the adjuster can be seen by flashlite. My old 123 series was done this way and am wondering if the 124 are the same.
Thanks again
Mike

 

[Barnie]

Hi Mic
The method used to check the steering by your tester does not comply with the UK MOT test procedures.
In the UK the steering is required to be tested for FREE TURNING ABILITY by placing both front road wheels upon free moving swivel plates & then turning the steering wheel from lock to lock, noting any tightness or roughness whilst doing so. Checking by using the road wheel ,whilst jacked up & suspension hanging is NOT an acceptable method!!
Handbrake on 124 is adjusted by removing rear road wheel ,locating small hole in brake drum,& with the aid of a torch turn drum untill adjuster canbe seen, & turn then turn adjuster untill wheel locks, then apply park brake fully, to centralise brake shoes ,& then either slacken Or tighten adjuster as the case may be.
ABS light . UK test req's light to illuminate when ignition swiched on (for at least 30 secs)
REgards ,Barnie

 

[Mikesmerc]

Cheers Barnie,
handbrake adjustment very similar to 123 series which I am familiar with. Better get the ABS sorted as it has saved me once or twice from rearranging my motor. Found OVP relay where everyone said it was but it looked like everyother relay as it had a black plastic cover over it. Fuse not blown on it but I presume the relay itself could still be faulty. As for the NCT guy(prat), I am not going to touch anything to do with this so called fault even though he has marked on the report a fault with every moving part of the steering because he didnt know what was causing it, very usefull information if I was taking it to my local mechanic. Will put your MOT method to the NCT guys and see what they say.
Thanks All
Mike

 

[delsad]

Having the same problem with the ABS light on my 1986 230TE. Can't find the OVP relay to check this out. I'd love to pull the bulb on the dash but can't find a good explanation on how to get the instrument consol out. See my post on the ABS light for more details. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[woodturner-fran]

It's hardly worth while using a spurious ball joint. The one for my W210 is ?45 from a main dealer.

If this is a visual check, only change the ball joints the day before the test so that they still look new and the guy can see that you have done something.

Don't know what to say to you on the ABS light - might be worthwhile going to a main delare and getting them to read out the fault code, then going somewhere else to get it fixed. It may be that the fault is gone but the code hasn't been reset... I would try disconnecting the battery for an hour or so, then connecting it back up and seeing does that make any difference

Fran

 

[paulcallender]

Its difficult to assess the track rod and drag link ball joints, while they're on the car. The MoT tester will have done hundreds, so he (or she) will have the fine judgement to sense a worn component. I'd imagine your mechanic would also be able to sense this. If you're doing the fix yourself, I think you'll be able to feel the wear, once you have removed the offending part(s). I'd start on the track rods and drag link. You'll need a decent ball joint splitter, to avoid damaging the rubbers and thus, if you remove all the components and find only one worn, you only need to replace that one. In my experience, if the MoT tester sees a new part has been fitted, then they'll quickly tick the item as "passed".