C220 CDI Safe Mode

[davebox]

After purchasing my C220 CDI six months ago, it has put itself into safe/limp mode four times. the first time it did this I promptly booked the car into Merc's but the result was that they could not find any reports logged into the computer so could not do anything about it. Since then the car has repeated this fault three more times, the last time being in the early hours of Friday morning. I phoned the recovery agents but they will only recover the car to the dealer. I declined this as I was thankfully only a couple of miles from home. The dealer has the car booked in now for the eighth march but I suspect they will not find the fault as it does not register on the cars computer. (The fault clears if you turn off the ignition, leave for a minute or so then re-start). Has anyone else suffered a problem of this sort? I find it hard to believe that I have the only car of thousands that has this problem and if Mercs do not find it this time round I will contemplate changing it.

 

[Blobcat]

Depends a little on what you mean by 'safe mode' if you mean lack of power and not able to pull past 3,000 rpm then the 'MAS' sensor is a likely culprit. There were no error codes logged when my 'MAS' sensor started to fail so it may be worth asking if they have looked at it. BTW which MB dealer are you using in South Wales?

 

[jberks]

Agreed, the most likely contender is the MAS. I would have expected any fault that tripped safe mode to be logged though. If the ECU goes into safe mode, that implies it knows why and will log that fact. Are you sure it is actually going into safe mode, or is it just randomly down on power? I suspect the ECU isn't aware of the problem and you have a power loss issue.

 

[tinytim]

E280 '01 into safe mode

Chaps,

I've had the car go into safe or limp mode - it wouldn't go above 2nd gear. this occurred whilst driving home after having had LPG fitted. The engine light had been on before then, but had not affected performance. MB sent someone out as the car had had all its services at main dealers till then. The engineer plugged in the STAR diagnostics software which did indeed recognise that the network of computers had shut down. However there were no faults logged, nor, even more worryingly were there any details about the car itself in the network - serial no's, etc. He was a little concerned, but a reset and firmware upgrade seemed to sort it. The engine returned to normal.

The engine light appeared again a couple of days later but cleared itself a few days after that, and I've had not faults since.

Makes one a bit nervous though!

Graham

 

[davebox]

The dealer I use is SG of Pentwyn Rd, Cardiff. To be fair I have only bought the car from them and as yet have had no need for service other than the one time the car went in for this problem before. I was advised by Mercedes Recovery and the dealer that the problem described was the cars limp mode so have to go along with this. What got my back itching was when I phoned the recovery number the fault was active but still not registering on the computer, If I could have taken it direct to the dealer (even though I understand that fitters are not on site 24hours) then the fault would/should have been easier to detect. If my Vauxhall had given me this trouble the garage would have had the car back into the workshop and I would not have accepted anthing other than the problem be found. I would expect a service level to be higher from a prestige motor company and we will have to wait for the outcome. Thank you for your replies and I will be discussing with Mercedes the possibility of changing the MAS sensor. (Or at the very least, taking a close look).

For those that know more than myself: The car only does this from a fresh startup. It drives very smooth but lacks power. ie put your foor down, the car gradualy makes its way through the box but SSLLOOOWWW
If this is not limp mode, any thoughts please? The more I'm armed with, the better for discussion with dealer.


A dealer supplied the car and I could have used any number of local car supermarkets. I expect better, from Merc's. Any fault can happen to any car, hell, my Astra had two sets of rear brake calliper's. - but vauxhall sorted it and the car has given me no further trouble in the four and a half years I have owned it. Come on Merc's, you can and should do better.

 

[jberks]

I am told they stick in 2nd so it may not be safe mode. It could really be anything from a loose turbo pipe onwards. If its happening more frequently but intermittent, you could ask that the service manager takes the car on for a week or so. I have never done this with a dealer but have with the indie with good results. 2-3 days in I get a call to say it did it to them so they know what I'm on about and its in the workshop. Another call later in the day to say all sorted.

There also used to be a box they could plug in and leave in the car collecting data for obscure faults. I don't know if such a thing exists for a merc though. I agree if they can't diagnose it, they should start replacing likely suspects anyway.

I have a similar issue coming up. The auto wipers on my E have nodded off on 3 occasions. A quick switch off and on sorts it but I know what the answer will be before I ask. "No faults found". I intend to insist that they replace something, be it a relay, switch or sensor.

 

[davebox]

Definitely not stuck in gear. It does clime through the box but faster than it should i.e.. changes before 2k revs even if my right foot is planted firmly on the pedal. If they do not find it I'll ask about them keeping the car for a while (It was their own vehicle before I bought it so I can only assume that the fault never occurred to the accountant that ran it - or so I was led to believe from the salesman). I have noticed that the MAS sensor is mentioned in the service book. The car was serviced before I had it, however, the only thing changed was the oil and filter. (sub standard service if you ask me). A mate just had his serviced with extra being charged for the pollen filter and other basic items, along with an MOT - cost £600.00
I'm beginning to regret buying the car - shame because I like it.

I hope you have a better level of service from your dealer, If they cannot find the problem with the wiper I would consider contacting Mercedes customer care, I will be if needed.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi dave,

I would take the car into SG Cardiff and sit down with the service manager. If they wish to keep your business then they should sort out the issue.
I use SG in Swansea and have had very good service, I always give them feedback and if not completly satisfied have taken the car straight back.
Give them a chance I've done 86K in mine and after initial 'burn in' issues I an overjoyed with it

 

[davebox]

Hi dave,
I would take the car into SG Cardiff and sit down with the service manager.

It's going in next Wednesday (another thing, no customer courtesy vehicle). It's being picked up (after me asking for this service) from my place of work. I'm not confident but will give them a chance. I'm cool for now

 

[jberks]

I hear a lot of stories of people not getting loan cars when they need them. I've never failed to get one, they sometime um and err a bit but they always find me something. I stipulate it when I book in. I've had an old A140 and I've had a brand new top spec E320cdi but I insist on a car no matter what. (worked to their benefit, 2 loans of a w211 and I bought one).

They have a forecourt full of cars, from used to demos and staff cars. If they don't have one, no problem, I'm sure ths service manager will enjoy his bus ride home! (I've taken his a couple of times too!) but I'm sure the sales team found him something to go home in.

 

[Blobcat]

I hear a lot of stories of people not getting loan cars when they need them. I've never failed to get one, they sometime um and err a bit but they always find me something. I stipulate it when I book in. I've had an old A140 and I've had a brand new top spec E320cdi but I insist on a car no matter what. (worked to their benefit, 2 loans of a w211 and I bought one).

They have a forecourt full of cars, from used to demos and staff cars. If they don't have one, no problem, I'm sure ths service manager will enjoy his bus ride home! (I've taken his a couple of times too!) but I'm sure the sales team found him something to go home in.

Agreed I have never had a problem getting a car, they would prefer not to hand one out but they always have. I had a Vaneo once and they could'nt appologies enough as it was all they had. I didn't mind as I enjoy trying them all out. Want to see if I can get a Brabus Smart for next service

 

[davebox]

They offered me a courtsey car but not for a month. A month away is just not acceptable, A week is good, A fortnight I can live with, but a month? Come on, SG should do more, Maybe my 19K car just is'nt worth the effort to them. A week today we will find out how much value they put on my custom, I was thinking of an ML next - Notice the word WAS. We will just have to wait.
On the brighter side though, When i booked the car in, they did agree to change the rear head rest that has rust bleeding through the chrome. And they are also going to change the rusted wheel nuts. (As If they have a choice)

 

[richip]

I've just resolved a similar problem with my w202 c220 cdi. I'd swapped most of the sensors (including MAS), high pressure fuel pump and various other items all to no avail. The problem turned out to be a leaking intercooler. I got a replacement for £125 and the car now runs perfectly. It's worth checking that the exhaust is not blocked as this can sometimes be the cause of intercooler problems.

 

[davebox]

Thanks all for the help/advice. Merc's had the car today but as of yet they have not found the time to correspond with me. The car was taken at 10 15 this morning and returned at 16 15. Driver new nothing other than the sticking door handle and wheel bolts had been sorted.

I'm waiting on my call in the morning. (and starting to get irritable) I called them at 17.40 but was told that the computer did not give any detailed info on what was done to the car and the main man had gone home.
The rusted head rest: I had a call yesterday to let me know they could not replace it as it was still in Germany.
Today I was told it had been replaced - had a look and it's been changed, have to now wonder what car it was taken from (maybe).

Will let you know the final outcome.:cry:

 

[davebox]

Merc's checked the intercooler and found no fault. I have to say though that the service manager phoned me today and was very helpful. Problem hopefully sorted and found to be an unknown error code in the system. Let's hope that the clearing of the computer has chased away my problems.
They also changed the head rest and cleaned the pass side door handle (It was staying out, Stuck - dirt or something)

So in short I'll be keeping my car, which I'm glad about as I like it a lot.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[opps-man]

I am having a similar problem, my C220CDI W202 is fine around town but if I go on the motorway and try to cruise at around 70mph, after a few miles I feel a kick on the accelerator and power loss limiting the engine to around 3000rpm. If I stop and turn off the ignition for a few seconds then everything is restored untill I try to cruise again. The only exception to this was last week when I was in a hurry to get home and booted the car all the way home without loss of power. Is this a symptom of the MAS unit and will it do any damage using the car with this fault?

 

[onetosee]

i have the same problem with my c220 cdi, it's been into the local garage but as with other members nothing is showing up on the computer. The fault with mine seems to be getting slightly worse as it just happens at any time when driving, and it can suddenly "change back to normal"whilst driving. Does anyone know a MBspecialist in the manchester area? help

 

[davebox]

Was told on phone that an old error dad been cleared. Asked for written report and this is the report I had back:
Check fault codes using star diagnosis. No faults shown, suggest could be sticking wastegate.
Lubricate wastegate on turbo.

This is starting to get my back up again. Either it's been found or it has not. I think I'll visit Merc's Monday afternoon, right after I have been to my uncle's funeral. That should put me in the right mood for an answer. :evil:

 

[onetosee]

a friend of mine had the same problem with his saab, he had the waste gate either changed or lubed and said the car was totally different. But i havent seen him for a couple of weeks to check his symptoms, hope it all goes ok

 

[mh81]

Hello All, Ive just bought a C220CDI 2002, its doing the same thing. Only when i put my foot down hard from standing start. The EPC light comes on and goes into Limp mode. Any one managed to get this fault fixed.