W124 problems, advice much appreciated

[seanie]

Jusf bought 1994 W124 Saloon, 2 litre petrol automatic.

119,000 miles on it, very comfortabe car, seems to creak going over speed bumps or rises in road, and also in E mode it doesnt seem to want to kickdown. In S mode kickdown is fine.

Also fan heater seems to work only when it wants, and is noisy when it does.
Dash lights are also not working.
despite thes faults though it feels like it is very strongly built, interior is fine and engine seems perfect, very strong and smooth. I intend to have all these faults inspected and repaired at some stage (when wallet allows).

If anyone has had similar problems and can advise I would greatly appreciate it! Cheers

 

[Spike]

The creaking will most likely be your anti roll bar bushes - an easy cheap DIY job.

The economy mode will be much slower to change down a gear ... I'm not even sure if the kickdown button is even supposed to work in E mode.

The fan might be the tricky one - hopefully it will just be the fan speed switch/mechanism. If not, it could be the motor itself

As for the dash lights, have you tried turning the trip meter round as that doubles up as a dimmer switch. Failing that you'll need to pull out the speedo console and look for the oddly coloured bulb that also acts as a fuse.

HTH

 

[seanie]

Hey Spike,

Thanks for the info! As soon as I get home I will check the dimmer switch!
To be honest with you I have no experience of DIYing with cars, do you think an independent mechanic could do th anti roll bar bushes and the fan? I'm reluctant to go to a stealership.

Thanks again mate!

 

[SJMaxson]

Kickdown works in E mode on my W124 - although my wife knows this better than I do!

 

[Mikesmerc]

Seanie, my 124 230e interior fan used to have the same problem which turned out to be a corroded fuse. Worth a look.
Regards
Mike

 

[Mikesmerc]

Seanie, my 124 230e interior fan used to have the same problem which turned out to be a corroded fuse. Worth a look.
Regards
Mike

 

[seanie]

Thanks for the info guys!

I will check out the fuse Mike, is that in the fuse bow in the engine bay? Sorry I am a novice as regards maintaining cars!

Tried the dimmer switch, no joy, looks like I'll have to put in a bit of effort!

Thanks again,

Seanie

 

[Mikesmerc]

Yes Seanie, they should all be listed out under the cover, you may even see one for the dash lights but I think its shared with something else.
Regards
Mike

 

[Bolide]

W124 problems

Seanie



All the advice you've had so far is good.

Kickdown is controlled by an adjustable kickdown cable - it's normally misadjustment here that causes kickdown to not work. But if it works in one mode and not in the other I may be wrong in this diagnosis

I'd say the heater motor brushes are knackered - if they are you'll need a new fan. You get to it by removing the trim strips at the bottom of the windscreen, taking out the trim covering the wiper, removing the wiper and stripping out the fan motor

ARB bushes are (reportedly) easy

You'll need a good 2-ton hydraulic jack and a pair of strong axle stands to get anywhere near these cars for home maintenance. Don't scrimp on this!!


Nick Froome
http://www.w124.co.uk

 

[clive p]

Kickdown..Are you flooring the accelerator. I haven't looked but I,'m pretty sure there's a switch down there somewhere. on e mode the box won't change down on torque whereas on s the box will change down readily. Check that the mat isn't under the pedal!

 

[mjtray]

Anti roll bar bushes are a straight forward job....any independant should be able to do this job in a short period of time....get's rid of the clunking at the front

 

[seanie]

Thanks a million for the replies guys!

Yeah I am flooring the accelerator and there is no mat under it, it only happens in E, in S it kicks down fine. I really don't know much about maintaining cars yet, I am very grateful for all advice.

Thanks Mjtray for the advice, glad to see you are back, I remember reading that you were leaving because of all the messing, but its great that you are back to share your knowledge.

Just one more thing, I was looking in the fuse box, and saw that a couple of fuses were missing, one was for the "gearbox cooler" i think. As it is an Automatic I hope this means I don't need one, or does anyone know if I do.

I will be getting the car serviced in the next few weeks please God at an independent mercedes specialist, and hopefully armed with the advice from here and their own knowledge, the car can be brought back to as close to new as possible!

Thanks again guys!

 

[mjtray]

Seanie,

Re your fuse box/ Transmission Oil cooler, if its the same as my W124 you only have a fuse in that holder if the car is fitted with the optional/extra oil cooler, ie tends to be fitted by people towing caravans.

Most of the W124's just use the standard transmission oil cooler that is built into the radiator.

Cheers

 

[seanie]

Thanks a million Mjtray,

I have to tell you that has really put my mind at rest! I dont think my car has been fitted with that extra.

Cheers!

Seanie

 

[Richard Murray]

Regards the heater. I had a similar problem with mine (but in an Audi).

Problems were the same in as much as it worked on only two settings and sounded noisy. I assumed it was the motor, but after reading a couple of posts on the subject (Audi Owners) discovered it could be the Heater Resistor.

I replaced it with one from Audi/VW Breakers, working fine now. Check with MB parts or a breakers to see if you can pick up one cheap. Cost me £20 + VAT.