W211 Safety Recall SBC Unit

[Brian WH]

I have just received a letter as follows: -

"On selected vehicles the SBC hydraulic unit may unintentionally switch to the hydraulic operation mode.

When this happens the driver must apply the brake pedal with increased force and the pedal travel is noticeably longer. The engagement of this operating mode is signalled to the driver by warning message in the intrument cluster and by an acoustic warning signal. In all cases the vehicle braking system continues to operate within the legal minimum requirement,

As a precautionary measure to prevent unintentional switching to the hydraulic mode, we would like to re-code the software in your vehicle SBC system."

Has any one else had one of these??

My car is booked in for a first service on the 23rd July, so they can do it then.

 

[Billy]

Got mine in the post yesterday. Due for a service in 800 miles will have it done then.

 

[OGiii]

I had mine done a couple of weeks ago. Did it while I waited, just a hook up, nothing mechanical.

I haven't had the letter but I wasn't waiting for it - they didn't write to me about the seatbelt recall so wasn't taking any chances this time, not with little 'uns in the car.

 

[Satch]

Dealer not terribly bothered to do this quickly as it is claimed "only an issue for high mileage cars" and just a precaution for the rest.

So how does that link in to being a software issue then?

 

[marcos]

I had this work carried out a couple of months ago. I think RichardM had his done too. I have no idea what was carried out but just know it was.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

This was only meant to effect high milers with alot of stop-start driving, such as taxi's

 

[marc777]

I had my letter on the 7th as well Brian.

Booked in for 3 weeks time as that is the earliest the dealership had a courtesy car. Apparantely a 2-3 hour job???? I was rather hoping they'd do it while I wait but not possible it seems.

Does anyone have a reference for the seatbelt recall as I was not aware of that one?

Marc

 

[OGiii]

...Apparantely a 2-3 hour job???? I was rather hoping they'd do it while I wait but not possible it seems.
Marc

Did mine while I waited.

I waited 1/2 hour before I saw mechanic drive it off - came back half hour later.

Why are dealers full of 5hite

 

[fuzzer]

Im going to go ape shit if a letter arrives on our door.

our dealer is supposed to have checked all this and tested everything ... they didnt mention a software upgrade.!!!!

 

[miro]

Im going to go ape shit if a letter arrives on our door.

our dealer is supposed to have checked all this and tested everything ... they didnt mention a software upgrade.!!!!

The fix is a software change. It came out in 05-2004 so I dont know why you or anyone else has the right to go ape shit. Lets assume they started on cars that were sold before yours.

 

[fuzzer]

The fix is a software change. It came out in 05-2004 so I dont know why you or anyone else has the right to go ape shit. Lets assume they started on cars that were sold before yours.

It might be to do with the fact that they are in over their heads on the SBC system!! For your information the car was actually booked in to get looked at mid May. Altho i don't trust them any further than i could throw them due to the face that they werent willing to even look at the car and seemed to know very little about the recall. Suppose its only the brakes , nothing important

Will be checking with milton keynes tomorrow to make sure they arent spinning me a yarn!!

 

[marcos]

I've already had the work done at the last service but I still got a letter yesterday asking me to book my car in to have it done.

Seems a tad strange.

 

[OGiii]

Marcfos - there was another brake 'recall' that was to be done at service rarther than needing to take it in seperately. Was to do with the brake pedal squeeking, which one have they done?

 

[marcos]

Supposedly the one about 50,000 uses or something, and apparently it only affects Hamburg and Stuttgart taxi drivers!

I shall give them a call tomorrow if I get a minute.

 

[RichardM]

I think the letter was sent to all owners, they didn't check to see who had already had it done.

 

[Goldfish11]

Got my letter a few weeks ago. Mercedes Coventry really good, they are booking in for 30 minute windows throughout the day and are saying it only takes 15 minutes to sort. Seems they have got them selves organised.

I have just booked mine in, but for half a day, have got a strange metallic rattle which occurs occasionally on bumpy roads and a tiny trim sqeak so they are going to fix these at same time.

Shame they can't do a software upgrade on my engine ECU to take it from 150 to 180bhp at same time