ERROR MESSAGES

[CLKpete]

Just wanted to offer some advices on error messages I experienced. I took my CLK in for an mot , that morning I noticed some odd error messages but went anyway as I had no idea why.
I left the car then received a call later asking me if I had a problem starting the car that morning , I had not. They went to move the car into the MOT spot and the battery was flat.
It failed MOT on the fault messages and they then spent £425 on a new 'module' plus labour, oh and including the MOT.
Some considerable time later the errors re-appeared one morning on putting the key in the ignition, I did not want to pay all over again . The car would not start. I charged the battery. Some error messages went, some did not.
I went tho a procedure relating to the key position holding the throttle down counting, next key position counting, then opening and closing the window, this was all on line. All errors gone.
This happened twice, both after having the car professionally cleaned, all windows and doors and boot open . Lovely inside and out (dog owner, he uses a rubber glove on the mats and boot, it removes all dog hair) Make sure your battery is charged or charging just in case it saves you a lot of money. But it is worth looking up on line for the strange re set procedure it really did work for me .

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

Unless I’m missing something you’ve been charged £425 for a new battery…

If you’re not going to using your car much, get a battery conditioner and connect it every time you park it up. It will pay for itself in no time.

 

[CLKpete]

Hello and welcome

Unless I’m missing something you’ve been charged £425 for a new battery…

If you’re not going to using your car much, get a battery conditioner and connect it every time you park it up. It will pay for itself in no time.

Hello and welcome

Unless I’m missing something you’ve been charged £425 for a new battery…

If you’re not going to using your car much, get a battery conditioner and connect it every time you park it up. It will pay for itself in no time.

I quote as written "It failed MOT on the fault messages and they then spent £425 on a new 'module' plus labour, oh and including the MOT." They charged the battery ! As we know they have a fixed charge for just looking at the electronics of £60 but that surely should have not indicated a faulty module if it was not !! And it was not due to leaving standing but discharge when it was cleaned, but may be that does indicate a battery issue. So new battery but it re occurred when next the 3 hr clean was completed. (once very 3 months as dog owner). I now insist the cleaner only opens doors etc as required ! Next time I may also change the battery brand. I did not pursue them when I realised the problem as it was months later when it re occurred.

 

[CLKpete]

Not that I want to mention that name but we also have a BMW X6 and it similarly suffered the same issue on a discharged battery , guess when on being cleaned (same cleaner) I just wanted to highlight my experience in this specific case, in case it helps.

 

[Botus]

the MOT is now supposed to not have any warning lights on the dash and complete self check for
ABS
Airbag
EML


if they charged 425 then they can give u the old part and explain why it was causing what light

 

[Blobcat]

Sounds like you’re not using you cars for long enough to keep the battery charged, which is why I recommended a battery conditioner.

Valeting does drain the battery as opening doors switches in the car systems. Also if you have electric seats etc then moving them to clean also takes the battery down. If the valeter likes to listen to your radio that will also drain the battery. This all leads back to a battery conditioner if you’re not doing regular 1/2hr plus drives.

 

[CLKpete]

the MOT is now supposed to not have any warning lights on the dash and complete self check for
ABS
Airbag
EML


if they charged 425 then they can give u the old part and explain why it was causing what light

Understood on lights up for MOT but unexplained occurrence that day. Understand on part and explanation but had to assume they were correct on that occasion.
Re occurrence months later raised the issue, to late to go back.
Just wanted to highlight to hose who do not know, like me, that just in case, check battery condition before heading to repair. Regardless they will not say 'have you checked your battery sir" They will put it on the diagnostic right up front and even if it tells them flat battery you will still get diagnostics charge.

 

[Botus]

it does sound kind of nasty.... but normally whilst all manner of hell is recorded in the cars modules re a low voltage situation, its rare to illuminate warning lights on the dash as a result.

on later cars its more likely, the low voltage encouraged a dying module to keel over and give up

Ask them if it was a SAM... these do like to take a bath on certain Mercedes models and get all tingly and excited as a result...

that said Merc electrics way back when, did more interesting stuff and needed more of a helping hand to get over themselves