[Vwdiesel] (no subject)

[pmdolan at sasktel.net]

Before heading for the dealer, I might suggest that one does NOT 
dismiss independant shops.  NO WAY you want to be in a chain store - 
as Doyt wrote, they have nothing but generic hardware and software to 
read OBDII (usually). 

However, just as with VW, a GOOD independant shop has the equivalent 
software to factory - and it is not all that expensive.  Dealers in my 
experience "lose interest" in cars that are past a couple of years of 
age, so their proficiency may or may not be that good.  Indpendants 
are where these cars tend to go, so a REALLY GOOD...did I forget to say 
REALLY GOOD shop will not only have the equipment they will have the 
MAJORITY of the experience with older cars at higher mileage. 

Head for the D-B forums and ask around about your area.  Hopefully, 
you will find one that EVERYONE tells you is THE place to do. 
 Otherwise, caveat emptor. 

Good luck - Pat

On Sun, 27 May 2012 12:35:40 -0400, "Doyt W. Echelberger" 
<doyt at buckeye-express.com> wrote:
You have a beautifully designed world-class car that anyone would be proud
> to own. I have one about three years younger, but not a diesel. And 
> you want to drive it on your trip early next week. 
>
> he free Autozone diagnosis is certainly something to do easily.  But 
> if there is a MB dealer within 60 miles of you the next step would be 
> to give them a call. Your problems could be expensive, and dangerous. 
>
> The dealer will have a computer capability that is FAR more precise 
> than the generic information available anywhere else. Consider 
> calling  them up and telling them about the engine, horn and air bag 
> malfunctions, and ask for an estimate for just the cost of a 
> _diagnosis......"what will it cost for me to bring in the car and 
> have you connect it to your factory computer and apprise me of the 
> readout?"
>
> Then you will know the cost of getting the best information 
> available.  The dealer diagnostic might turn out to be  very 
> reasonable.....like $100. 
>
> I have a 2000 MB E320 and went through all those steps when I had a 
> malfunction, including visiting Autozone.  The info from Autozone was 
> not enough to pin-point the problems and the solutions. I took it to 
> a local non-dealer independent who works on MB all the time and he 
> tried to intuitively correct the poorly defined problems, which 
> turned out to be beyond his capability. THEN I took it to a dealer an 
> hour away and got the real problems located and corrected. So, I paid 
> twice. 
>
> If your problem is in any way associated with the Mercedes computer, 
> your best bet for good information is a direct call to the dealer. 
>
> There are several instances on http://www.benzworld.org/forums of air 
> bags deploying for no reason, and neither MB or insurance paying the 
> bill.  Replacing air bags involves thousands of dollars and it sounds 
> like you have a computer malfunction notice that points in that 
> direction....not to mention the engine malfunction reading and the 
> horn problem. 
>
> All three items could be big time expensive. 
>
> If I had your situation, I think I'd choose paying the MB dealer for 
> the full story, up front, on all items before I drove to Minn. on a 
> check engine light. That is what the previous owner did for 20,000 
> miles. Then he sold the car. Are you taking the first step on a 
> slippery slope, that involves saying " I' don't really want to know 
> about this car's problems. I'm going to ignore the warnings and drive 
> it till it breaks." ?
>
> Doyt
>
>
>
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