W203 - crankshaft sensor

[markswlondon]

Been having issues with my c220 cdi; no kickdown, very sluggish, clearly no turbo. Returned it to dealer who has used a local diagnostics garage who believe the issue to be with a crankshaft sensor. They are replacing it today at their cost. Does this sound like a plausible explanation? No being familiar with the car it's sounds a bit strange. All comments appreciated!

 

[AMGeed]

A faulty crank sensor will not give the symptoms you describe. Hot starting issues are the symptom of a faulty CPS.

Not familiar with oil burners personally, but MAF sensor sounds more likely but that is a shot in the dark to me..
The car really needs taking to an indi who has STAR to correctly diagnose your fault codes.

You have two I can think of in London. The 2nd one is mobile.

Wayne Gates Specializing in Mercedes Benz

PCD

 

[markswlondon]

I'm told that they took it to A J turners in Croydon (purely way) and looking on their website they have STAR or xentry (assume its the same!). I'll give them a call and speak to them direct rather than getting second hand info from the dealer.

http://www.ajturners.co.uk/bmw-diagnostics/

 

[AMGeed]

I'm told that they took it to A J turners in Croydon (purely way) and looking on their website they have STAR or xentry (assume its the same!). I'll give them a call and speak to them direct rather than getting second hand info from the dealer.

AJ Turners | BMW Specialists Croydon/Car Mechanics Croydon/Mercedes Specialists/VW Specialists/Audi Specialists/Fuel Injection/ABS Systems/Mechanic/Bosch/Alarms/Tracker

There may well be a fault with the CPS , shown on their diagnostics, but a new CPS won't cure a no operating turbo and lack of power?? Fortunately you aren't footing the bill for this, but I think a direct call would help to find out what is wrong.
Did the dealer describe fully the faults you are experiencing to the garage I wonder?

 

[markswlondon]

There may well be a fault with the CPS , shown on their diagnostics, but a new CPS won't cure a no operating turbo and lack of power?? Fortunately you aren't footing the bill for this, but I think a direct call would help to find out what is wrong.
Did the dealer describe fully the faults you are experiencing to the garage I wonder?

Well they actually changed the camshaft sensor. The garage assured me he had a hard fault code on it even after clearing the codes and then test driving. Got the car yesterday and guess what. It's failed again today! I've agreed with the dealer that if its not fixed after one more try then we will get a full refund. How hard can it be to find a fault with all the diagnostics! Gutted. I haven't had to fork out for anything (except the numerous train tickets taking and collecting the car!)

 

[AMGeed]

^^ That is disappointing. Hope you get a satisfactory resolution to this problem.
Has the dealer got anything else suitable?

 

[markswlondon]

^^ That is disappointing. Hope you get a satisfactory resolution to this problem.
Has the dealer got anything else suitable?

I wouldn't buy anything else from them. They have been fairly good in that they haven't tried to charged me for anything but I get the impression that is their legal obligation rather than any favour to me. I love the car but I may be back driving my little fiesta next week if they don fix it! I I've read that if they still have my car on the forecourt then they have to give it back to me, plus the money I paid for the merc.

 

[AMGeed]

Can't say I blame you for not wanting another car from that dealer.
I hope you manage to find another 220CDI soon....without faults.

Have you looked on Pistonheads? Usually some nice cars for sale there owned by enthusiasts.

Used Mercedes-Benz C Class cars for sale with PistonHeads

 

[Rory]

Been having issues with my c220 cdi; no kickdown, very sluggish, clearly no turbo.

That's exactly what happens when it goes it into limp mode.

All sorts of things cause it - mine does it sometimes if I haven't used the car for a while; apparently one of the triggers is if the battery voltage drops below 9.3V while cranking.

 

[htavs]

Sounds like its in limp mode. With mercs they have 2 memory banks for codes one is the stored codes which trigger the engine management light the other memory bank which is the pending bank where the engine management light wont come on but it will safeguard the engine by placing the car in limp mode.

If you reset/erase it while the engine is running then maybe the full drive will be restored.

If you local to Huddersfield then I will erase it for you and if there are any pending codes then you will find out what they are which may shed a bit more light on it.

FYI Cam/Crank Sensors failing will bring up a direct fault code and your rev counter may not work as they work off the same pulse. Sound like your being fobbed off with easy fixes.

 

[markswlondon]

Sounds like its in limp mode. With mercs they have 2 memory banks for codes one is the stored codes which trigger the engine management light the other memory bank which is the pending bank where the engine management light wont come on but it will safeguard the engine by placing the car in limp mode.

If you reset/erase it while the engine is running then maybe the full drive will be restored.

If you local to Huddersfield then I will erase it for you and if there are any pending codes then you will find out what they are which may shed a bit more light on it.

FYI Cam/Crank Sensors failing will bring up a direct fault code and your rev counter may not work as they work off the same pulse. Sound like your being fobbed off with easy fixes.

Thanks for the offer... I'm a long way away in London. The garage the dealer is using has STAR so I would have thought they know what they are doing! It's not transporting that way yet! Car is going back this morning.

 

[markswlondon]

That's exactly what happens when it goes it into limp mode.

All sorts of things cause it - mine does it sometimes if I haven't used the car for a while; apparently one of the triggers is if the battery voltage drops below 9.3V while cranking.

So what do you do Rory? Do you have to clear codes constantly?

 

[Rory]

So what do you do Rory? Do you have to clear codes constantly?

In my case it's fine once the car is turned off and re-started. Nothing shows in the cluster and I've never scanned for fault codes.

I don't even realise it's in limp mode until I exit our village out onto the main road.

 

[panason1c]

Sounds like a faulty maf to me.

 

[markswlondon]

Sounds like its in limp mode. With mercs they have 2 memory banks for codes one is the stored codes which trigger the engine management light the other memory bank which is the pending bank where the engine management light wont come on but it will safeguard the engine by placing the car in limp mode.

If you reset/erase it while the engine is running then maybe the full drive will be restored.

If you local to Huddersfield then I will erase it for you and if there are any pending codes then you will find out what they are which may shed a bit more light on it.

FYI Cam/Crank Sensors failing will bring up a direct fault code and your rev counter may not work as they work off the same pulse. Sound like your being fobbed off with easy fixes.

Diagnosed as a defective turbo... Dealer has authorised the garage to replace it. I hope this is the end of this saga! Watch this space!

 

[turners]

Hi, on the first visit it had a code in for cam senosr which was replaced. When the vehicle returned it had a code in for turbo position actuator sensor faulty, which is the electronic wastegate on the turbo. After running a test on this it was found not to be moving. A replacement was fitted and tested all o.k. but since then it would seem that a fault has developed with the replacement one and the linkage is not returning fully. Another replacement is being fitted. The replacement has now been fitted and the car appears to be fine.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Hi, on the first visit it had a code in for cam senosr which was replaced. When the vehicle returned it had a code in for turbo position actuator sensor faulty, which is the electronic wastegate on the turbo. After running a test on this it was found not to be moving. A replacement was fitted and tested all o.k. but since then it would seem that a fault has developed with the replacement one and the linkage is not returning fully. Another replacement is being fitted. The replacement has now been fitted and the car appears to be fine.

???????
Confused.............
Do we assume from your user name that you are posting this on behalf of AJ Turners of Croydon?

 

[turners]

???????
Confused.............
Do we assume from your user name that you are posting this on behalf of AJ Turners of Croydon?

Hi, yes i work at Turners and saw the post

 

[mauricemaria777]

Hi Just came across this post just ot say that I was advised to try Turners from a friend but always went to the Main dealer with my BMW then I was recommended by a friend to go to Turners and never looked back. I have now got a CLS and will be taking it to Turners

 

[shezzac123]

Been having issues with my c220 cdi; no kickdown, very sluggish, clearly no turbo. Returned it to dealer who has used a local diagnostics garage who believe the issue to be with a crankshaft sensor. They are replacing it today at their cost. Does this sound like a plausible explanation? No being familiar with the car it's sounds a bit strange. All comments appreciated!

been having similar issues myself car goes flat no kick down next thing ok then id
been out came home nipped in the house came back out wouldn't start left it for an hour fired right up put it on diagnostic crank shaft sensor pick one up the morra not so cheap off merc look on the net and you can pick one up for considerably cheaper with 2yr warranty any advice