Ecu Failure

[Dave Chaucer]

Can anyone help with this problem?

I had the ECU on my Mercedes C200 repaired. After driving the car just a short distance the ECU failed again.

I returned my ECU to the repairer who informed me that the ECU was working, as it should.

Unfortunately once the ECU was fitted back onto the vehicle the car does not work.

The ECU repairer then refused to accept that the ECU was not working, because his bench tests say it is working.

Therefore on 10 April 2008 the test ECU owned by the local Mercedes Benz dealer was fitted onto the vehicle and the car ran perfectly.

However when the repaired ECU was fitted onto the vehicle the car did not work.

The ECU repairman refuses to give me a refund unless I provide written evidence from an ECU repairer that the repaired ECU is faulty. He also needs to see a list the faults that the ECU contained.

The local Mercedes Benz dealer says that an ECU can pass a bench test but in the real world context will fail to work.

I would welcome any advice or support to help me convince the repairer that my ECU does not work on my car, despite his assertions that it does work.

Many Thanks

 

[Richard Moakes]

Sounds to me that you need documentary evidence from the Mercedes Dealer, that their test ECU allowed the car run perfectly, and your ECU appears to be non-functional.

If you can get that, then start with trading standards, and potentially engage a solicitor?

However, I would offer the repairer a chance to rectify the situation, in writing, and include the written evidence from MB to support your request. This will assist your case should it come to any form of arbitration. Remember evidence is golden, request the repairer details how the ECU has been tested, and includes test results to back-up his claims of a successful repair/test.

Good Luck,

 

[Richard Moakes]

On a more technical note, I wonder if you have a fault on the car which is damaging ECU's but not instantly, perhaps an intermittent wiring loom issue, or faulty coilpack etc...?

This MIGHT explain why the dealer ECU worked, but I wonder for how long?

 

[Dave Chaucer]

On a more technical note, I wonder if you have a fault on the car which is damaging ECU's but not instantly, perhaps an intermittent wiring loom issue, or faulty coilpack etc...?

This MIGHT explain why the dealer ECU worked, but I wonder for how long?

I sent the ECU repairer the evidence that I had the spark plugs, suppressor plugs, cable sleeves, cable plugs, ignition cables and ignition coils replaced.

On your first point regarding- "documentary evidence from the Mercedes Dealer".
The repairer appears not want that form of evidence. I even offered to take the car for an independent test to another garage. The repairer wrote to me saying that he requires written evidence from an ECU repairer that the repaired ECU is faulty and that he also needs a list of the faults. .

The Mercedes Dealer say that a bench test could demonstrate that there are indeed no faults during the bench test. But the reality is you cannot drive the results of a bench test to work or take your family shopping etc.

Although if you could it would certainly reduce your fuel consumption.

Many Thanks.

 

[Richard Moakes]

I sent the ECU repairer the evidence that I had the spark plugs, suppressor plugs, cable sleeves, cable plugs, ignition cables and ignition coils replaced.

On your first point regarding- "documentary evidence from the Mercedes Dealer".
The repairer appears not want that form of evidence. I even offered to take the car for an independent test to another garage. The repairer wrote to me saying that he requires written evidence from an ECU repairer that the repaired ECU is faulty and that he also needs a list of the faults. .

Many Thanks.

The repairer is in breach of the sale of goods act, the repair or goods must be of merchantable quality. It is not your responsibility to prove the exact nature of the fault, it simply does not work in your car, and you have proof from MB that is the case.

A compromise might be to agree with him that you will send the unit off for testing with another repairer, but agree up front that if faults are found, then he bears the cost of the tests. Mind you I would want all of that in writing before I spent any more money. You do take the risk that it will pass another bench test, and cost you money, but I am not sure what else to do?

If you do decide to follow such a course of action, under no circumstances allow the first repairer to know who the second repairer testing the unit is until you have a written report in your hands. I have experienced collusion between service centers in respect of Sony LCD televisions, who attempted to force a family member to accept a clearly faulty LCD television.

Good Luck, whatever happens, it sounds like you have a fight on your hands, but be assured, if you can gather evidence and stick to your guns, you will win in the end.