Camshaft sensor

[S500 Pete]

My S class is in for repair at the moment after it started running really rough and an amber engine light. Called in the AA as I was about 200 miles from home and they diagnosed a camshaft sensor error plus about 6 related errors. They have relayed it to a local repairer approved by the warranty company so waiting for the outcome.

One tip I have learned is that if you have a warranty don't break down at the weekend as they only seem to work Monday to Friday. Originally asked for it to be taken to my nearest main dealer and then had to redirect it once I had managed to contact the warranty company.

Hopefully a simple repair that gets done quickly.

 

[Wighty]

I always schedule my cars breakdowns for the summer and the front drive

 

[S500 Pete]

Latest on this is that it actually has an oil leak which has got in to the loom creating a number of problems. Still under investigation for a final resolution.

Seems odd that oil would cause electrical problems.

 

[S500 Pete]

Final resolution after about 10 days was that it is all sorted with the leak solved, the camshaft sensor replaced and the oil cleaned out of the section of the loom. All running sweet again paid for by the warranty. I normally never take warranties but in this case it was a good decision.

Prestige Motors at Thurrock even waived the £50 excess because it had taken longer than usual. There are not Merc specialists but did seem to know what they were talking about.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Latest on this is that it actually has an oil leak which has got in to the loom creating a number of problems. Still under investigation for a final resolution.

Seems odd that oil would cause electrical problems.

Oil in the loom can cause horrendous problems! It’s conductive and capillary action can wick it deep into the loom, so you can get shorts all over the place

 

[mattkh]

Oil in the loom can cause horrendous problems! It’s conductive

Oil on its own is not conductive.
Apparently it is tiny bits of metal and pollutants found in engine oil that lets conduction to happen in this case.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Oil on its own is not conductive.
Apparently it is tiny bits of metal and pollutants found in engine oil that lets conduction to happen in this case.

That’s the same as saying water isn’t conductive. It isn’t in its totally pure state, but you wouldn’t want someone dropping a toaster in the bath with you eh? Yes, in most cases it is the various contaminants that provide conduction.