S213 Alarm Siren E-class

[Janchee]

Car is in at Mercedes today and they've rung to say the Alarm siren has come up faulty on the system. They've also 'tested' it and it didn't sound... Quoted a crazy 383.70 to replace it.

Anyone saw this part go on the model before? Also had another door LED fail. (6th LED to fail on the car now)

Asked for Mercedes Goodwill, nothing. Can't see the point in keeping a full MB service history nowadays, their goodwill is literally zero. I expect some things to go wrong on a vehicle, but I've spent over 1500 on replacing parts for just one year of ownership. It might just be a Friday car.

It's got one free service left by MB (service plan), due Dec. Will include transmission service. Question is, do I buy the official warranty for 1 year (700) and get rid after, or take the hit now and trade-it in for something else?

 

[Blobcat]

If you've lost the love, you've lost the love
I'd not bother with them replacing the siren, I'd have it apart and find the corroded battery - or just buy the part and replace it yourself.
I'd keep the servicing at MB if it's already paid but thank them for the advisories and get them done elsewhere.

 

[ajlsl600]

Crap design .familiar story.batt inside siren rots leaks on pcb siren screwed. Last one I changed was £98.00 some have managed to open and fit external batt.but most time pcb is screwed. I just removed and forgot about it on next car.

 

[EmilysDad]

..... Last one I changed was £98.00 some have managed to open and fit external batt.but most time pcb is screwed. ....

So MB are charging some for a simple replacement siren!

 

[mioba]

The siren is also the brains of the alarm. Usually located under the wheel arch.
More than half of that price is labour.
Buy the siren. DIY (usually wheel removing to access arch) or take it to another garage to fit.
You might use MB for servicing for say mobilo. But for anything else find yourself a reputable indy (where codes need reading), local garage (purely mechanical work)

 

[EmilysDad]

The siren is also the brains of the alarm. ....

AIUI it's just a battery backed up siren.

When the siren on my R Class was silent, the alarm on the car still worked ie the indicators still flashed when they should have but there was no noise.

If MB are charging£380-odd and the siren has gone up a bit since Andy bought his, then they're charging well over an hour to swap the siren over

 

[AMGeed]

As above, a siren replacement is an easy DIY job. The siren is around £110 now.
Probably take you about an hour as a first time diy.

 

[Janchee]

I can fit myself, however, I believe the item needs coding now? Is that right?

 

[Janchee]

New, the part is about £150. For any future readers (W213). Part number A2138201101

 

[Blobcat]

Quite a few on eBay for various prices... just search the A2138201101

 

[ajlsl600]

AIUI it's just a battery backed up siren.

When the siren on my R Class was silent, the alarm on the car still worked ie the indicators still flashed when they should have but there was no noise.

If MB are charging£380-odd and the siren has gone up a bit since Andy bought his, then they're charging well over an hour to swap the siren over

Suspect benz min is an hr charge.and was same for me silent car.flashers going.if clk. was worth £££££s I would go down the replace with external batt but its not worth the hassle clk.AClass no siren .replaced on 600. If ml goes during my ownership will look at batt replacement.
For op changing this is easy job. Needs a security torx .about 15 min

 

[Phillip Butler]

My siren went last March after 4 years on my 2016 CLS. Had it replaced by an independent for under £300. They said that the original was contaminated with water and it was a common fault. They also packed the vulnerable parts with grease.
12 months warranty given and worth the cost IMO as I'm keeping the car for another 2 years.

 

[joderest]

When I bought my W163, the alarm was faulty, only flashed once on lock and did not sound. I took a chance and bought a 2nd hand one off eBay for £15.
The unit on my car is located under the wiper assembly under the scuttle, hell of a job to get to, so I cut and extended the wires, so that it was in the engine bay, and made a bracket and fitted it upside down so that nothing drips on to the circuit board, just out of the unit, plan was to buy a new one and fitting would take 5 mins.
Three years later it's still working.

 

[ajlsl600]

Same on w168. I think benz prod line take turns in findin the most inconvenient and time consuming location.

 

[joderest]

I think, in the older cars, they made it a difficult location to deter car thieves from just cutting the wires to stop the alarm.

 

[Janchee]

I think, in the older cars, they made it a difficult location to deter car thieves from just cutting the wires to stop the alarm.

I know the new ones have some sort of anti-theft bolt on them. In the Mercedes workscope, it mentions something about electric welding to remove the nut

 

[ajlsl600]

I think, in the older cars, they made it a difficult location to deter car thieves from just cutting the wires to stop the alarm.

Has own batt easy nuff if wires cut siren goes off?

 

[sonic]

Do those who steal cars really go to the bother of disabling a car alarm system?
Most common thefts are keyless, & stealing the car keys from the house.

 

[joderest]

Sorry, meant older cars and when cars were nicked before keyless. 1990_2008 ish

 

[Janchee]

Can somebody confirm if I need a STAR to replace this? Tempted to do it myself, I’ve got the tools and (hopefully the skills ). Don’t want the car to lock me out thinking it’s being stolen. Noticed on the workscope, it tells you to plug the car in and turn off the ATA. Thanks