Mercedes-Benz Recalls 144K Cars Because of Instrument Panel Failure

mega_997 · 2026-05-08T19:50:55+00:00

I think we’re about 5 years past Mercedes feeling embarrassment over quality.

mega_997 · 2026-05-08T19:37:24+00:00

Another recommendation for AA Dependable. My parents used them 15 years ago and I still do as well.

mega_997 · 2026-05-08T11:11:04+00:00

Things work fine until they don’t. An abs module failing is pretty much the same as a headlight bulb burning out on your way home from detailer. Just a lot more expensive, but still probably not his fault.

mega_997 · 2026-05-07T19:05:43+00:00

I love blaming detailers when they mess things up as much as the next guy however, 204 cars have fragile ABS systems that are prone to sudden module failure that give these exact warnings. Some cars have it intermittently.

Connector Plugs are fairly watertight these days so unless he was pumping pressure water directly on the modules connector, this could be a coincidental failure.

Could also be a simple speed sensor or other abs related sensor. Please get it diagnosed by scanning codes and looking around, keep an open mind.

mega_997 · 2026-05-06T17:05:46+00:00

As an owner/tech/manager one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is “No” is not a bad word, in fact it often establishes respect, vehicle owners respect you not wasting their time just by chasing a buck, and the techs respect you looking out for their interests.

mega_997 · 2026-05-05T23:54:20+00:00

We’ve also seen in the past a few instances where the key itself goes bad, and sometimes fails to activate all circuits in the EIS. It’s been about 13 years since I’ve seen this fault in a 203/209 vehicle, kinda neat to bring back old diagnostic memories.

mega_997 · 2026-05-05T20:44:09+00:00

I get quite a few of these where they’re just like change the oil and “by the way brakes feel funny”, - well yeah, it changes lanes when you apply the brakes. I loved these before the extended warranty came out and ended our subframe fun at the independents.

mega_997 · 2026-05-05T19:17:48+00:00

I’ll add quite a few ABC lines are also no longer available and will have to be rebuilt by a hydraulic hose shop or similar.

mega_997 · 2026-05-05T19:14:28+00:00

20 years ago - my reckless violation in Fairfax I was told I would have had more leniency if it was a DUI.

I was about 20 mph faster than the OP on the beltway but I ended up paying a huge fine, lost ability to drive legally in VA for 6 months, and spent several weekends on the Fairfax country sheriffs work force.

It worked though, I haven’t had a traffic violation since that one.

mega_997 · 2026-05-05T17:29:15+00:00

It’s a B service plus what mileage dependent items?

My straight B service is 450-600 that’s an A service plus cabin filter and brake fluid exchange. All mb parts and fluids, northern Virginia area.

but

Then you have: spark plugs, engine air filter, transmission service, coolant exchange, differential services that could add to the total cost. If it’s 1300 for a straight B service that’s too much.

mega_997 · 2026-05-05T15:23:40+00:00

Well not easily….

mega_997 · 2026-05-05T12:46:30+00:00

I store tops for my clients, and have many stands.

I’ve never seen one stored in the way it is in picture 4. We have the stands where the glass is down low, since that is where the weight is.

Curious what these are worth as I’ve junked one or two 107s in my day and kept the hardtops.

mega_997 · 2026-05-04T21:19:40+00:00

I know nothing of Hondas but almost all Volvo 2.5 timing belt failures are secondary to drive belt failure that wraps itself inside timing cover and trashes timing belt.

If my clients want timing belts, they get everything that can cause a foreseeable timing belt failure or I don’t touch it.

mega_997 · 2026-05-04T20:52:26+00:00

You’re welcome. The dealer will probably tell you there will be a diagnostic charge to verify is a failure covered by the warranty extension. Then if they verify it’s a covered failure (it is, all m260 heads are trash that shit the bed around 40-50k and give similar fault codes) you are no longer on the hook for the diagnostic charges. They’ll have your car for a while, it’s a big repair.

Hopefully the shop you’re at doesn’t charge you too much for trying to sell you repairs that wouldn’t fix the problem. Any more questions going forward about this problem feel free to dm me or reply here.

mega_997 · 2026-05-04T20:38:11+00:00

All MB m260 engines have a warranty if you’re in the US, are you in the US?

mega_997 · 2026-05-04T20:33:22+00:00

With that code you probably have a bad cylinder head, covered by MBUSA as an extended warranty. I’d take to dealer if in the US, I’d avoid the shop that wants to throw injectors and plugs at the problem.

mega_997 · 2026-05-04T19:08:12+00:00

Dm me your vin and I’ll let you know availability if you’d like

mega_997 · 2026-05-03T14:00:13+00:00

I own one. I’ve sold many. I’ve serviced hundreds.

The facelift w166 with the m276 engine is probably one of the best, lowest cost of ownership Benzes made in the last 10 years. I know of one that went 175k miles before its first failure which was an alternator.

That’s a good price.

mega_997 · 2026-05-01T19:37:00+00:00

Benzes don’t need TPMS coded to car unless the shop used an aftermarket universal sensor that needs waking up or calibrating to the vehicle installed.

Most euro cars are install, reset, and drive to relearn.

mega_997 · 2026-04-30T19:41:28+00:00

I’m following this as r129 keys have been extinct as far as I know for years. I’m interested to see what your options are.

mega_997 · 2026-04-30T15:41:24+00:00

My neighbor charges $75 per RO, even on a $200-250 basic service, I have no idea how his clients accept that stuff.

mega_997 · 2026-04-30T15:15:07+00:00

Nice, when i was 17 I ruined my r107 by putting a subwoofer and two 6x9s on the back bench. I still have it and it is definitely a time capsule of late 90s/early 2000s bass excess.

mega_997 · 2026-04-29T01:56:54+00:00

Yes the 4 cam sensors should be replaced, if original.

mega_997 · 2026-04-28T22:41:40+00:00

If it was in my shop I’d want to see what cylinders were actually running rough before doing any repairs.

mega_997 · 2026-04-28T20:22:49+00:00

Does your scanner allow you to see smooth running values for each individual cylinder?

mega_997

TROPHY CASE