A170 (W169) - Dealer and Issues Recommendations (Windsor / West London area)

[TJMurphy]

Hi, almost a year ago (sorry, I know I should watch this forum more regularly) I posted about a problem with the clutch on my "new" A-Class. I've just put an update on that topic - gearbox went on that one!

The initial 12 month warranty is coming to an end so I want to get the car looked at and see if there's anything else that needs doing. My list so far is as follows (if there's anything else I should watch out for please shout):

1. Rain sensor not really working, has been looked at by a Merc garage and an independent with no resolution
2. Auto-up / down on the driver's window stops working (I keep resetting it and it works for a bit and stops again, I've done as much channel cleaning as I can!)
3. Starting to get a "squeak" noise which might be a shock absorber
4. The gear selector cables are attached to a bracket with two cable ties (just visible from above down the back of the engine). Is this normal (I'm thinking not but have been quoted £360 to replace the cables) - ring any bells with anyone?

Can someone recommend a good independent in the Windsor / Slough area? The guy I went to was ok but he was very poor at returning calls and keeping me updated on the work being done so I'm interested in any other names. They need to be "proper" businesses and VAT rated (warranty company requirement).

Thanks

 

[dokalj]

Hi TJMurphy,

Sorry to hear about the difficulties you are having with your A-class.

If you don't mind me asking, what engine do you have and what year?

What is wrong with the rain sensor and where do you here this squeak coming from, front or rear?

I have a 2009 A-class that has developed a squeak while travelling over bumps.
Additionally there is a noise when I open the doors and sit in, I think mine could be the folding mirrors opening.

I can not really recommend anyone in your area unfortunately, my usual indie would be too far for you.

Have you tried calling up Merc UK? Better still you need to find a good contact at a local branch.

Sorry I can not be of more help regarding items 2 & 4.

Kind Regards

dokalj

 

[TJMurphy]

Hi Dokalj and thanks for your reply.

The car is a 2006 A170 Avantgarde, nice little thing actually (it's in fact my wife's car).

The rain sensor either doesn't work at all or just wipes all the time. Today, in the rain it decided it wasn't going to work at all (which actually might be a good thing as it could be easier to diagnose!). There doesn't seem to be any user adjusting on the sensitivity?

The squeak is coming from the front right hand side and is over bumps / sleeping policemen. It's definitely worse first thing in the morning - it sounds like a damper to me. Wish it had the folding mirrors but unfortunately not.

I'll try and take a photo of the cable ties, maybe someone else can have a look down the back of their engine and see if it's the same.

Thanks again
Tony

 

[dokalj]

Hi Dokalj and thanks for your reply.

The car is a 2006 A170 Avantgarde, nice little thing actually (it's in fact my wife's car).

The rain sensor either doesn't work at all or just wipes all the time. Today, in the rain it decided it wasn't going to work at all (which actually might be a good thing as it could be easier to diagnose!). There doesn't seem to be any user adjusting on the sensitivity?

The squeak is coming from the front right hand side and is over bumps / sleeping policemen. It's definitely worse first thing in the morning - it sounds like a damper to me. Wish it had the folding mirrors but unfortunately not.

I'll try and take a photo of the cable ties, maybe someone else can have a look down the back of their engine and see if it's the same.

Thanks again
Tony

Hi Tony,

Has the windscreen ever been replaced?

A niggle I find with the auto-wipers, is when a small amount of rain falls on the sensor the wipers will go and the screen will have hardly any water on it. Resulting in possible scratches.

I never thought of the damper, it could well be. I thought it was more the ARB bushes, I could be wrong.

Do you have the issue of the car hitting underneath when travelling over bumps at all? Noticeably worse when you have passengers?

I will try and take a look next time I have the bonnet up and if you can upload the pic it will help me identify what I am looking for.

Kind Regards

dokalj

 

[dokalj]

Is Harrow too far for you to travel to an Indy?

 

[BlackC55]

The rain sensor will have to be checked on a Star. I suspect It will need replacing.

The one touch window fault is very likely to be caused by the motor itself. They have a hall sensor that fAils causing this fault.

 

[BlackC55]

The noisy suspension is likely to be the ARB bushes as suggested.

Take a pic of those cable ties.

 

[dokalj]

Thanks for the great input Olly as usual

I am sure Tony will be pleased you have diagnosed almost all of the problems.

 

[TJMurphy]

Thanks guys, very helpful.
Car has just had an MOT, needed rear brake pads and a steering ball joint on the driver's side - didn't fix the squeak unfortunately.

I don't know if the windscreen was ever changed - it's certainly not got any scratches on it but there's nothing in the service history about it. A Merc dealer did a "reset" on it just after we got it - that would have been on a Star machine so I assume it didn't say it was broken - but then it wouldn't I guess

I've taken some pictures on my phone, shall upload them in a separate reply.

Harrow's maybe not too far (I drive to Cippenham for a specialist for my own Volvo ) The guy I use holds himself out as a specialist but I don't want to name him on here - not sure what protocols you have about naming dealers. I've not got any problems with him, just know from experience that recommendations count for a lot!

Tony

 

[TJMurphy]

Here's an image of the cable ties which I hope is clear. There's actually two of these gear cables, side by side but I couldn't get a clear shot of them both.

 

[neilrr]

Star Motor Services - Mercedes Reading

Star Motor Services - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums

 

[BlackC55]

The clips are missing from the cables hence the cable ties.

 

[npuk]

Rain sensor needs changing on W169 if screen is replaced, there is a past thread about this.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/339664-post12.html

 

[dokalj]

Thanks guys, very helpful.
Car has just had an MOT, needed rear brake pads and a steering ball joint on the driver's side - didn't fix the squeak unfortunately.

I don't know if the windscreen was ever changed - it's certainly not got any scratches on it but there's nothing in the service history about it. A Merc dealer did a "reset" on it just after we got it - that would have been on a Star machine so I assume it didn't say it was broken - but then it wouldn't I guess

I've taken some pictures on my phone, shall upload them in a separate reply.

Harrow's maybe not too far (I drive to Cippenham for a specialist for my own Volvo ) The guy I use holds himself out as a specialist but I don't want to name him on here - not sure what protocols you have about naming dealers. I've not got any problems with him, just know from experience that recommendations count for a lot!

Tony

Tony,

Did you get the noise fixed on the O/S front right? I can confirm I have the same issue. Just making sure it isn't anything else before I purchase some drop links.

 

[TJMurphy]

Hi, either we got used to the squeak noise or it's gone away so sorry, can't advise you on that one. I got Star to check it all out and they couldn't find anything so we've left it to be honest. It clunks quite a lot more than my Volvo over speed bumps too, I wouldn't be too surprised if we need to change some shock absorbers in the next service or the one after. The rain sensor continues to have a bit of a mind of it's own too

 

[dokalj]

Hi, either we got used to the squeak noise or it's gone away so sorry, can't advise you on that one. I got Star to check it all out and they couldn't find anything so we've left it to be honest. It clunks quite a lot more than my Volvo over speed bumps too, I wouldn't be too surprised if we need to change some shock absorbers in the next service or the one after. The rain sensor continues to have a bit of a mind of it's own too

Is there no reset for the rain sensor?

I have rocked the car on each corner and have noticed a creaking sound from the O/S front.

Additionally, the rear bounces more than the front....I assume this is down to the weight of the engine.

These clunks have they developed elsewhere or are they still coming from the O/S front?

 

[TJMurphy]

Is there no reset for the rain sensor?

I have rocked the car on each corner and have noticed a creaking sound from the O/S front.

Additionally, the rear bounces more than the front....I assume this is down to the weight of the engine.

These clunks have they developed elsewhere or are they still coming from the O/S front?

The rain sensor has passed all the tests, it responds properly to a bucket of water (or whatever they use) thrown at it for testing. It was suggested the next step was going to be some more expensive diagnostic work (ie taking out the control units behind the mirror) so we've just lived with it.

I'd say the clunks are a more general front end than restricted to one corner. I wonder if they might just be the way the car is -- we have some nasty speed humps around our way and I've only ever driven this A-class so I've nothing really to compare it to. As I said Star have examined the suspension and not reported anything that was wrong or broken.