Part Identification help

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8062282

New Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2020
Messages
6
Location
Lancashire
Car
A180 CDI Avantgarde
Hi ~ Can anybody help in identifying the broken switch/sensor on the power steering motor? I started the car up this afternoon with the intention of taking the car for a drive & found I had no power steering. When I had a look in the engine, there’s a black tie wrap holding what looks some sort of sensor/switch onto the power steering motor/pump. I’m hoping it’s not going to be expensive to fix. I’ve googled for info but I can’t find what I’m looking for. It was my Dads car which I inherited when he died. It’s 12 year old but only done 23,000. It’s a A180 CDI. Thanks, Julie
 

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Got exactly same car, but not had very long so not to sure but I found this site very useful at finding out parts and numbers.

I m still working through issues with my car


Click on Merc parts, ignore vin ect just find you car on list (W169) and click on relevant section, if I were to hazard a guess looks like someone has broken the electrical connector and cable tied it on. no idea if that would cause power steering to just stop.

also this site very useful.


Tezz.

Best bet is to find local merc specialist with Star diagnostic system to see if you have any error codes
 

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Hi - I’ve been looking at the photo again & I think you might be right about it being a power connector. I knew about the aclassinfo site but thanks for the other one. I’ll have a look on there & see what I can find. Hoping the connector isn’t a sealed unit. I’ve also sent a photo to CVM in Preston to see if they’re able to give me an estimate for the job. I’ve forced the cable tie more into the centre of the connector & I’m not getting the power steering warning light now. I’ve since spoke to my brother & my dad was aware of the problem. Apparently the garage he used put the cable tie on as a temporary measure so he could get the car home. They were going to order one. unfortunately my dad had a heart attack & never got to take the car back. The garage is 60 miles away from me, so I really don’t fancy driving the car that far. Thanks for your help..

Got exactly same car, but not had very long so not to sure but I found this site very useful at finding out parts and numbers.

I m still working through issues with my car


Click on Merc parts, ignore vin ect just find you car on list (W169) and click on relevant section, if I were to hazard a guess looks like someone has broken the electrical connector and cable tied it on. no idea if that would cause power steering to just stop.

also this site very useful.


Tezz.

Best bet is to find local merc specialist with Star diagnostic system to see if you have any error codes
 
Managed to get a new plug & 2 metal inserts direct from MB for £5.70. Happy days :)
 
When I get the plug just need to figure out the best way of fitting it. My partners car is in the garage having the auto gearbox sorted so money is just flying out at the moment. I would imagine, I’ll need to disconnect the battery. Those look hefty wires into the old plug. Last thing I want to do is short anything. When I get the new plug that’ll give me an idea of how it fits. Hope it comes off easy enough. I might chicken out & see if I can find a auto electrician local to Preston who doesn’t charge an arm & a leg. :)

Glad you got t sorted


Tezz
 
If plug dose turn out to be issue with your steering

unless you or partner are confident you can carry out repair, as its such a critical system I would look for mobile auto electrician and get it done properly, last thing you need is an issue with steering when you actually driving.

How is service history with car, its low miles but is approaching 12 years old now, as summers hear could be time to do a few less safety critical jobs


Tezz
 
Hi ~ I’m tending to agree with you regards changing the plug myself. The plug surround is broken so the plug is loose, hence being held in with a cable tie. No idea how it happened as my Dad, unfortunately, isn’t here to tell me. When the power steering warning light came on & I spotted the cable tie, I moved the cable tie more to the centre of the plug & I managed to tighten the cable tie a couple of clicks. The warning light is no more & I have power steering. Whilst I’m not a 100% sure, I think once this connector is changed, all will be good. When I was driving it, the car is sound. It’s a lovely drive. There wasn’t any odd noises from the power steering.

The service history is another story. When I was clearing Dad‘s place, I never found the MB handbook, the locking wheel nut or the service history book. Apart from the V5C, I have 3 old MOT’s & that’s all. I’ve got a replacement locking wheel nut & got the handbooks off fleabay. The car has only done 600 miles between its last two MOT’s. Do you know if you’re able to get your service history off the system somewhere? I assume, if you can, it’ll only be MB history? The car has an overdue service warning light on so that’s also on the agenda to do also.

it’ll be a week or so before the connector arrives from Germany so I have some time to sort getting the car booked in for a service & the connector replacing...

Thanks, Julie

If plug dose turn out to be issue with your steering

unless you or partner are confident you can carry out repair, as its such a critical system I would look for mobile auto electrician and get it done properly, last thing you need is an issue with steering when you actually driving.

How is service history with car, its low miles but is approaching 12 years old now, as summers hear could be time to do a few less safety critical jobs


Tezz
 
As you stand at rear of car looking at it on the left hand side there is a panel that opens up, did you look behind there for the service book and key ect in a big black wallet it where mine were stored on car.

Service History you can get from MB but only if recorded electronically

servicing of car at MB can be very expensive and even though low mileage some jobs have a time limit as well IE every 2 years, and in my experience not driving a car much is not good for overall operation of car. an MB service you can get a quote online my quote was £1124 with auto box oil change and mot.

You could ask on hear for and independent MB specialist near you that's recommended, there seam to be quite a lot on hear that seam to really know there stuff, would use a specialist as looking at my car not knowing an MB can cause more issues in long run.

You could save a bit of money and do easy jobs yourself, cabin filter, wipers, washers, air filter, locks, ect, Oil and oil filter parts them selves are not very expensive

2 MB dealers that have EBAY shops are



if nothing else I would check battery box for water, under floor drivers side, check cabin pollen filter drain tube, check rear spare wheel well for dampness, take out washer fluid bottle , clean out and refill with either a quality fluid or MB fluid

check spec before using any fluid in car, and if buying Patten parts like Bosch ect, use the posted parts list above to check Part numbers and if they ask always supply VIN to shop

Tezz
 
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Hi - I have 2 panels at the back, one on the left & one on the right. Other than the jack etc, there’s nothing. The locking wheel nut isn’t on the end of the wheel nut ratchet thing. I’ve checked everywhere in the car. There’s no dampness in the boot & the spare wheel looks brand new. The fluid levels all look OK. My Dad had plenty of stuff in the shed for the car + expensive polishes & cleaning stuff. Other than not having it serviced in the last year, due to illness, I think he’ll have looked after the car. I can’t believe he didn’t have the handbooks etc..

Thanks for the help & info, it’s appreciated. I’ll need to read up on changing stuff myself. There”a a couple of MB specialists in Preston, CVM seems highly rated. They quoted me £180 for a service although I didn’t ask what was included for that..

Being having a read round on the forum & can see there”s a member who will help with service history but I feel cheeky just asking being a new member..

I’m working from home at the moment so there’s not any urgency in getting the car done + I have to wait for the connector to arrive from Germany first..

Thanks again, Julie
 

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