EPC error - visit workshop

[ceejay]

I had EPC error - visit workshop flash up briefly when pulling away from a junction earlier today. What does it mean and should I be worried?
Car is 2001 E320cdi with 130k miles, last serviced about 1k ago (at dealer).

 

[Dieselman]

It means 'Houston we have a problem'.

You need to take it in to have the codes read as there are no obvious signs at the moment.
It might be a one off glitch, something like turbo sticking just as you pulled away.

 

[ChrisEdu]

I've been having the same problem on my E320CDi since February. It seems to happen if the car has been run low of fuel and then I accelerate hard (i.e. kickdown engaged). Mine is also a 2001 (51reg) model and was service 8K miles ago by a main dealer. I haven't bothered to get it seen to yet, as it clears itself after a restart and the car seems to be running fine - plus I'm concerned that if I take in in for diagnosis, I'll just get a long list of faults codes for someone to check through and it'll cost a small fortune!

 

[ceejay]

I took mine into the M-B Chichester and got the codes read as Dieselman suggested.

They said there were many errors in the log but they couldn't tell for certain which was causing it, but the most likely was the accelerator position sensor.

Anyway, they cleared the log completely and upgraded the software to the latest version and said to "see how it goes". That was a couple of weeks ago (about 800 miles) and it hasn't happened since.

Top marks for customer service as well, they only had five minutes notice since I phoned when in the area and it was done 15 minutes later - with no charge! :bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

 

[ChrisEdu]

I took mine into the M-B Chichester and got the codes read as Dieselman suggested.

They said there were many errors in the log but they couldn't tell for certain which was causing it, but the most likely was the accelerator position sensor.

Anyway, they cleared the log completely and upgraded the software to the latest version and said to "see how it goes". That was a couple of weeks ago (about 800 miles) and it hasn't happened since.

Top marks for customer service as well, they only had five minutes notice since I phoned when in the area and it was done 15 minutes later - with no charge! :bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

Falls over backwards in amazement! I was in there today, getting my rusty doors looked at to claim on the corrosion warranty. Perhaps I should have asked about the EPC too?!

 

[ceejay]

I was pleasantly surprised as well, but they do seem to have been trying quite hard to please recently, the service has been quite faultless really.

 

[television]

Some dealers really do try hard, MB SW is one that does, I could never say a bad word about them

 

[ChrisEdu]

Well, I had my car serviced the other day and the fault codes read. It came up with P1187-032 Rail pressure monitoring Control variation and P1222-002 B37 (Accelerator pedal sonsor) Sensor 1 the signal voltage is too high. Anyhow, had the codes cleared to see how it would go. Well, in the last two days the EPC message has been back several times, so it will be back for another diagnostic to see what comes up.

Does anyone know how much I should expect to pay for either of the faults shown to be rectified?

 

[ChrisEdu]

Well, I had the throttle position sensor replaced and that seemed to do the trick, for a while! The work was done at the end of August, and all seemed fine, until on Friday it happened again! It seemed to be going alright again until today, when it caused the engine to shut down 6 times within 60 miles! Anyone got any ideas, please!!!

 

[scgfull]

From your description it appears to be a similar problem to one I had on my 2001 W210 320CDI.
The main cause appeared to be a build up of Sludge/gunk in the Fuel Filter bowl just under the engine cover.

A cheap check would be to remove the filter and check the bottom of the bowl with a good torch.

Good luck

Steve

 

[ChrisEdu]

Took the car in for the fault codes to be read, today. Codes showing a probable problem with the CDi injectors, e.g. maximum pressure has been exceeded etc... So, it looks like the most likely problem is the injectors.

Does anyone have an address to write to for Mercedes Customer Care / Services in Milton Keynes? I've had a look but can't find anything. As so many things have gone wrong on the car, I feel like writing to them to see what (if the can be bothered to respond) they say.