Dead C43 (Heads Up)

[C43AMG]

Hi, yesterday got in the car turned the key nothing, dead just a noise of a relay clicking somewhere. So had the RAC out no luck there, could be Starter Motor.

The RAC low loaded it to my friendly Indi, TM Motors. They checked a couple of the relays OK. Jason the mechanic was looking at the Starter Motor when Tony the owner of TM Motors came and had a look see, a couple of minutes later he noticed that the EARTH STRAP had sheared off from the end near where it is bolted on to the engine. He had never seen that before, looking at the strap it didn't seem to have a lot of play, so over time with the vibration etc it just snapped off.

So they made me one up to get me on my way. They charged me half an hours labour and also fitted my new Supa Dupa Green AIR Filters which i will test on the way to Wales today. That's the advantage of a good Indi, can you imagine turning up at MB and saying can you help me out i need the car tomorrow.

I don't know if the Earth strap is located in the same place on all CClass's mine is n/s front, one end is bolted on to the crossmember. So if you think your Starter Motor has packed up maby it would be worth while to check your earth strap first.

 

[Mambo]

Glad it got sorted out in the end, what do you think of the new filters?

 

[grober]

Might be an indication that your engine mountings are a bit wobbly. Thats a big torquey V8 you got there! Something to keep an eye on maybe!

 

[martynljones]

Have a good time here in Wales Peter, we love you Englishmen

 

[jaymanek]

I recall this same thing happening before on a C43! probably on this forum...

 

[david55amg]

I recall this same thing happening before on a C43! probably on this forum...

you're right but it was probably me a couple of months ago on this forum. Half way through the starting procedure it aborted with a big red warning light on the dash. like you said, the earth lead was to fault and now perfect Is this a problem?

clk320 my2000

 

[C43AMG]

Glad it got sorted out in the end, what do you think of the new filters?

Yes very good. I noticed that there was better acceleration when starting off and a increased growl from the engine.

The C43 certainly liked the Welsh B Roads, i was in and around the Lake Vyrnwy area, spectacular scenery.

 

[glojo]

can you imagine turning up at MB and saying can you help me out i need the car tomorrow.

In fairness, a big resounding yes.

However I totally accept there are bad main dealers, just like there are bad independant garages. Your also lucky the knowledgeable boss turned up?

Happy motoring,
John

 

[GregE240]

Yes very good. I noticed that there was better acceleration when starting off and a increased growl from the engine.

The C43 certainly liked the Welsh B Roads, i was in and around the Lake Vyrnwy area, spectacular scenery.

Did you stay in the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel Peter?

Me and the ex stayed there years ago - very Fawlty Towers, but superb scenery. They did refurb it a few years back though.

Glad the car is back in rude health,
Greg

 

[C43AMG]

No i didn't. I stayed at a freinds but i did see the Hotel, as you said amazing views.
My freinds did say it had a Fawlty Towers reputation.

Yes the car returned safe and well. I must give it a trip like that more often, i know it put a smile on my face. Lots of Subaru's in Wales, the C43 left a lasting impression on them, i don't think they quite knew what to make of the AMG.

 

[stats007]

Peter, re the filters - how much and where from?

 

[C43AMG]

Peter, re the filters - how much and where from?

From www.greenfilters.com Tel No 01436 678777, his name is Trevor, the Part No for my car is P603342 which seems to cover a lot of the V8's. Mambo very kindly gave me all this infomation well the Part No anyway. £48.12 each (two). Inclusive of vat and delivery. He is up in Scotland, they also have a place in Leighton Buzzard where they found my filters they seem to be agents for Green Filters.

 

[noops]

Peter this thread may have saved me a pretty penny.

I had to go to Staines to pick my brother up from work, he came out and told he's going to be about fifteen minutes so I turned off my engine, what a mistake that was she wouldn't start, I thought it was the battery, fuel pump I thought the worst, Automania were called out (free with bank account) and hour later he came looked over her and said it looks like the starter motor had gone.

I quickly googled the price on one and thought "crap" not cheap at all. As the Automania driver's truck couldn't tow me he had to phone for one with a flatbed which took another thirty minutes to get to me, having the app on my phone I searched and found this thread and wondered and prayed that it was the earth strap that was causing me so much distress.

The second driver was very nice and he fell in love with my car (I know how he feels) he was saying it was his second AMG that night (a 11 plate C63 had broken down) as I was contemplating how to push her onto my drive I told the driver about this tread and he said he will have a look when he unloads her off and there it was one poxy frayed wire had come off the bolt and caused me to have a rather poor evening and also cold and hard pork chops that was awaiting my return.

Tomorrow once I get the bus to work and back I will change that wire and make sure it securely in place.

Thanks Peter for your misfortune earlier and for creating this thread that saved me in so many ways.

 

[trapperjohn]

5 year old thread comes to the resuce. The wonders of modern techo.

 

[C43AMG]

Peter this thread may have saved me a pretty penny.

I had to go to Staines to pick my brother up from work, he came out and told he's going to be about fifteen minutes so I turned off my engine, what a mistake that was she wouldn't start, I thought it was the battery, fuel pump I thought the worst, Automania were called out (free with bank account) and hour later he came looked over her and said it looks like the starter motor had gone.

I quickly googled the price on one and thought "crap" not cheap at all. As the Automania driver's truck couldn't tow me he had to phone for one with a flatbed which took another thirty minutes to get to me, having the app on my phone I searched and found this thread and wondered and prayed that it was the earth strap that was causing me so much distress.

The second driver was very nice and he fell in love with my car (I know how he feels) he was saying it was his second AMG that night (a 11 plate C63 had broken down) as I was contemplating how to push her onto my drive I told the driver about this tread and he said he will have a look when he unloads her off and there it was one poxy frayed wire had come off the bolt and caused me to have a rather poor evening and also cold and hard pork chops that was awaiting my return.

Tomorrow once I get the bus to work and back I will change that wire and make sure it securely in place.

Thanks Peter for your misfortune earlier and for creating this thread that saved me in so many ways.

My pleasure. It is the best FORUM.

 

[noops]

Got the part from Halfords, 18" braided steel piece, undone the bolt on the cross member, I tried and struggled to even get a ratchet or spanner on the engine bolt, thankfully the long piece that I bought was long to reach the bottom of the car and I bolted there instead, just behind is another thick braided cable which had also frayed off so I will have to replace that too, but I will get Ollie to replace that one when I eventually get my de-cat, thanks again Peter.

Now to take the beast for a spin.