Mercedes w211 sbc pump failure?

[Fayiz]

Had the brake pipes replaced a few days ago, mechanic says they were very badly corroded... after replacing, the following 3 messages as shown above have appeared on the dash... Could it be time for a pump replacement or does the system need to be bled in a special way or something along those lines?

Thanks,

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Self Diagnosis should be the way to go surely!

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
How did you're mechanic bleed it? As there is a special way to do it as you need to use a computer, before condemning you're current SBC Pump get it bled by someone with the correct diagnostic equipment and is acquainted with the correct process.

 

[Fayiz]

Hi,
How did you're mechanic bleed it? As there is a special way to do it as you need to use a computer, before condemning you're current SBC Pump get it bled by someone with the correct diagnostic equipment and is acquainted with the correct process.

I'm not exactly sure how he bled it, but he claims that he 'bled the system' although I do recall when I first got the car, a Mercedes specialist told me that the SBC pump doesn't communicate with the ecu or something? (he checked via STAR)

I have it booked in for a local German specialist for next Friday (was the earliest available appointment) who said that he'll try to bleed it manually? but I was wondering if maybe I could try something myself while it's sitting outside my house...

 

[whitenemesis]

Needs STAR to properly bleed the system. Otherwise one cannot cycle the various valves or maintain pressure in the SBC reservoir.

 

[Gbrowncls55]

As above needs to be bled using STAR . Sounds like its been bled incorrectly and I expect your pump is fine, which will save you a few quid if correct. Bit too much of a coinicidence that it should come up after the pipes were changed. And in any case I dont think that is the failed SBc pump message having just had mine replace on the SL. Get it on STAR and do it properly before blaming the pump.

 

[clk320x]

I'm not exactly sure how he bled it, but he claims that he 'bled the system' although I do recall when I first got the car, a Mercedes specialist told me that the SBC pump doesn't communicate with the ecu or something? (he checked via STAR)

I have it booked in for a local German specialist for next Friday (was the earliest available appointment) who said that he'll try to bleed it manually? but I was wondering if maybe I could try something myself while it's sitting outside my house...

Are you using Nick?

 

[toolman1954]

Fayiz,
Is this the same vehicle that, following a visit to "Kwik Death", was diagnosed as bordering terminal due to a purported broken timing chain. If so, we are all waiting with baited breath for an update on its rising from the ashes.

Steve.

 

[Fayiz]

Are you using Nick?

It was Nick who told me that the SBC pump isn't communicating with the ECU (he checked it using STAR, he couldn't access it) that was when I first got the car... So I'm assuming that if its not communicating, it can't be bled using the computers?

Fayiz,
Is this the same vehicle that, following a visit to "Kwik Death", was diagnosed as bordering terminal due to a purported broken timing chain. If so, we are all waiting with baited breath for an update on its rising from the ashes.

Steve.

Ah yes Steve, that's the one... Turned out to be perhaps a build up of carbon and I guess air in the system (due to kwikfit's excessive cranking when the car possibly ran out of fuel) hooked up another battery to it and it eventually fired up... Was a total pain in the backside though.

But that just goes to show the knowledge of mechanics these days, would just have been silly if I went out and bought a new engine, upon being told that the timing chain had snapped,

 

[whitenemesis]

It was Nick who told me that the SBC pump isn't communicating with the ECU (he checked it using STAR, he couldn't access it) that was when I first got the car... So I'm assuming that if its not communicating, it can't be bled using the computers?

How can it be functioning if it doesn't talk with the ECU? How would the car know to display those messages?

 

[AMGeed]

Check the voltage in both batteries.

I had those messages when my alternator failed and the batteries went below 12v

Recharged both batteries and new alternator later, red messages gone.

 

[toolman1954]

Hi,
Whilst the car is sitting there doing nowt, you might like to consider changing the brake light switch to see if that gets rid of the messages. The You tube links below are relevant.
I can not imagine any proper mechanic releasing a car back to a customer that is not working properly after having brake work done.
I assume it drove home O.k. after you had it back and the brakes were working after that?
If you are going to keep this car, then it may be a wise move to save your pocket money and buy your self an MB11 or similar diagnostic tool so you have the ability to do some "self diagnosis". Also a small Multimeter for the electrics is a good investment. You have two batteries on your car, how old are these? The 211 is a big heavy user of battery power, and both batteries need to be in good order to power all the electrics.
I am back in Northampton for a couple of weeks and can put my MB11 on your car if you need a free diagnostics.

Steve.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Problem here folks is the chap deals in cars as he has already stated.

Once again this does not ring true and seems a bit unbelievable.
After a brake pipe change the message pops up and the SBC unit is not there.

We advise, the owner ignores us, last time it was Kwik Fit, this time another mechanic, all seems a bit of a fairy story to me but that's just my opinion so no one need take offence.

 

[Fayiz]

Thanks for the replies guys, I believe perhaps the issue could be air in the system after the mechanic changed the brake pipes? a few of you have suggested bleeding via a computer, but it has been attempted as one of the very first things upon the error messages occurring, and I was told it's not communicating, hence I was told that there's a manual bleeding method which the German specialist will try next Friday since that's when I've booked the car in for.

To pmsgsmurf, thanks for stating your opinion, however I was not present there nor I carried out the work myself in order to be able to comment on what exactly happened, I was just told that the brake pipes were very badly corroded, and upon changing them the car threw up those error messages, although I don't think it's fair for you to call it some kind of story or something when I'm only kindly stating what I've been told in order to receive some advice, next time I would appreciate it if you could drop me a pm, I'd happily take any advice on board... Likewise, no offence from my side either,

For Steve, I did also think about replacing the brake light switch, but after a few pumps of the brake pedal, it goes all the way down to the floor, so perhaps it's unlikely to be the switch?

For AMGeed, both batteries have been replaced pretty recently, especially the main battery, so I think they should be fine? In terms of recently, to be more specific I'd say perhaps 2 months ago,

Thanks for all the replies though,

Kind Regards,

 

[ToeKnee]

I have a cloned Delphi scanner and when I had a car with sbs it had a function for bleeding the brakes the correct way by the scanner operating the sbs pump. Might be worthwhile finding someone with something similar to help with the bleeding?