There comes a time when one has to know it is time to give up. That time has come. I am completely stumped. There is some sensor on the A/C that can cause trouble, but if I pop it I will blow all of my refrigerant out into the atmosphere. So I have decided that this sensor is better left to a professional who hopefully has a way to recapture the stuff. Aside from that, I have no clue. I do have electronic testing stuff, but I am stumped as to how to use it, I also lack the wiring diagram for my car and when I attempted to make sense of the one I do have for the 280GE I was even more confused, so this is obviously not my strong suit. This electronic stuff is stuff that belongs to my brother or that I inherited from my dad. I'm just not into electricity at all. It scares and confuses me.
I finished up everything I could finish up on my car. In the process I broke the hood release latch thing, so I have to have the front grill off until the new thing comes in the mail. It was $34 to buy it locally and have it come in on Tuesday, or $3.95 and $6.95 shipping to buy it online and have it come to my door on Tuesday.
I also chipped my paint while at all of this, so I'm pissed off at myself about that one. I was replacing the front grill on my car and chipped it right up front there. I'll have to get some chip paint in the right color someplace I guess.
I did successfully replace the headlight frames and I have to say it is utterly amazing what this change did for the car. It is like night and day. I think when I get the new latch and put the new grill on it will be amazing.
I also think the Bermuda Triangle must live in my car someplace. I dropped a nut for the grill and lost a little cotter pin that holds the hood star on and they are both completely MIA. I took the air compressor and blew all over, I looked, I poked a little magnet on a flexible stick thing around and nothing. I shined a flashlight, reached around where I could get my hand, started the car and revved the engine hoping the fan on the engine might blow it out of there, or the motion might rattle something loose. No such luck of course. I really hate that. Not only am I without the proper fasteners for my grill and hood star now, I also have a couple random pieces of hardware hanging out in my car which distresses me.
So I have reached the end of my car fixing rope and the rest will be done by someone who knows what they are doing. I wrote up a nice paper explaining where the stuff I removed is located, where the car cover is, since it has been raining and my electrical system is kind of exposed at the moment and the documenting all of the stuff I have done and all of the problems the car was having. I hope they can make sense of it. I don't always know the technical terms for stuff. I kind of learned about cars just by observing my dad do stuff with them and then by having a basic understanding of how an internal combustion engine works. I know it needs vaporized fuel, I know it needs something to ignite said fuel and I know it needs a way to transfer that energy to the wheels to make them turn and I know the friction from the motion of the engine causes heat and it needs a way to keep the car cool, so there is water and a radiator. From there I just kind of trace stuff and figure it out by looking at it as I go. All of the little weird shit and sensors and relays and various other stuff that does not have an outwardly obvious function is a little lost on me. I know it is there for a reason, but not always sure what the reason is. I have found a lot of help on online forums and by looking at parts catalogs to at least attempt to identify the pieces. I still wrote up a list for the mechanic that will probably either get me laughed at or completely dismissed as a moron.
I called one guy and he was very rude to me. I tried to explain what I had done and what I thought the problem was and what I replaced based on that thinking and he told me off telling me with my lack of technical terms and know how I should never drive, let alone try working on a car. I told him that was nice, because he had just insured that he would not be touching or working on my car either. What a douche. I realize I maybe didn't fix anything, but on the same hand I did. I replaced stuff that is 15 years old and probably needed to be replaced at some point anyway. I figured out stuff that wasn't the problem and only spent around $450 and that included the new OEM headlights, new OEM trim, new grill, new original Mercedes Benz carpet and new gas and brake pedals and a new rubber thing for my antenna which was oxidized and shitty looking. I know the vacuum lines needed to be replaced because they were rotted out and gummy. The spark plugs were foul and not too pretty looking so they needed to be replaced and the wires and stuff I'm sure needed it as well. Just because the car starts and runs doesn't mean it is doing it as well as it could be. Or so that is what I tell myself.
Here is the list I'm giving the mechanic tomorrow. It is what I told the guy who was so rude to me. I didn't' think I was being too much of a tool in my description.
I have removed parts to get to the cabin fan. All parts removed are in boxes in the back seat of the car. I have left this as is and expect to see a savings on labor cost because of this work already having been done by me. Please make the fan work but do not reassemble this part of the car, I plan to clean these parts well and replace foam , and seals and other stuff as this is put back together. Also have new parts ordered from Germany and plan to replace with the new parts when they arrive. If car cannot be kept indoors overnight there is a tarp located in the trunk of the car which you may use to protect it as you see fit in case of rain. Waiting on new hood latch to put new front grill back on, just leave as is. Will replace when part arrives.
Recent problems:
I was sitting at a light waiting to make a left turn and the engine stumbled a little while idling. When the light changed I stepped on the gas and the car died. All dash lights flickered on. Got out to push car out of the intersection and then tried restarting and it started and drove home without incident.
Since stereo was installed the light under the transmission shifter does not work. This is annoying. (If this is because of the stereo installation, please document as I will complain to the installer about this)
Blower fan for cabin does not work. Heat or cold leak slowly out of the vents when the car is in motion, but there is no motion from the fan, just air forced in from driving. I noticed this very soon after the stereo was installed as well. Had not used the fan right away after getting the new stereo because the weather was nice and I used my sunroof instead. If this is related to stereo please document as well.
Car "swims" on freeway at speeds over 50 MPH. Also noticed a knocking sound from right front of car when pulling out of my driveway and going down the curb hump. (I have rounded curbs on my street as my method in and out of the driveway, not a smooth fan shaped ramp) Wondering about condition of bushings and other rubber suspension parts. If they need replacement, please call me to discuss.
When looking into cabin fan issue noticed a blown 30 amp fuse for the auxiliary fan. When I replaced the fuse, the fan would not shut off until I removed the fuse. Have not located the cause of this.
Have had power steering fixed a couple times by ******** Mercedes shop. Still leaks. Please advise.
Transmission shifts more abruptly than I would like. Please advise.
Does my differential fluid need to be changed? Please advise
How are the flex disks and other drive train stuff under car? Please advise.
Recent work:
Replaced:
Fuel filter
OVP relay
Coolant Temperature Sensor on Engine block
Headlight relay
All fuses except fuse for Aux fan
Various vacuum line connectors that looked corroded
Replaced Headlight frames
Replaced spark plugs
Replaced Spark plug wires
Replaced distributor cap (not rotor, rotor was out of stock)
Replaced cracked black and white barrel shaped valve connected to vacuum lines under right fender by the washer fluid reservoir.
Reconnected vacuum hose from fuel sender thing to hose that comes out of the top of the air filter housing
Cleaned visible ground connections
Cleaned battery compartment, neutralized acid and repainted corroded battery tray.
Fixed a small hole in the exhaust pipe under the car with JB weld. Hole about inch diameter.
Plugged in connection on left headlight that had fallen out
Changed oil/filter 400 miles ago
Replaced Air filter 2 oil changes ago. Change oil and filter about every 6 months or 1000 miles. This car only drives about 2000 miles per year.
Removed cabin fan and tested on bench by hooking directly to battery. Fan worked when connected this way.
Had recently serviced (within last year last serviced by ******* Mercedes)
New Auxiliary fan (about a year ago)
New aftermarket stereo installed by ******* Auto Sound & Security (about 3 months ago)
AC serviced (about 1 year ago)
Brakes, shoes, pads, rotors all new (about 1 year ago)
New water pump (about a year ago)
New hoses for cooling system (about a year ago)
New coolant level sensor (about 1 year ago)
New serpent belt (1 year ago)
New idler pulley (I year ago)
New tensioner (2.5 years ago)
New Alternator (About 2.5 years ago by ************* Mercedes )
Transmission fluid change and flush (2.5 years ago by ************ Mercedes )
Recap of work I want done by your shop, please call me at *** *** **** before performing any work to get approval from me. Please let me know if you notice anything else which is a problem or a problem waiting to happen.
Make blower fan work
Make light under shifter work
Make Aux fan work properly
Look into problem with freeway swimming, check bushings, bearings and other suspension components
Check transmission and advise
Advise on possible change of differential fluid.
Check flex disks and other drive train components and advise on condition of them.
Check power steering and advise on cost and repair for this leaky part
Advise on cost of engine compression test.
Advise on any other possible problems with car and other service it may need with present mileage and the idea that I am looking to get another 100K out of it.
I finished up everything I could finish up on my car. In the process I broke the hood release latch thing, so I have to have the front grill off until the new thing comes in the mail. It was $34 to buy it locally and have it come in on Tuesday, or $3.95 and $6.95 shipping to buy it online and have it come to my door on Tuesday.
I also chipped my paint while at all of this, so I'm pissed off at myself about that one. I was replacing the front grill on my car and chipped it right up front there. I'll have to get some chip paint in the right color someplace I guess.
I did successfully replace the headlight frames and I have to say it is utterly amazing what this change did for the car. It is like night and day. I think when I get the new latch and put the new grill on it will be amazing.
I also think the Bermuda Triangle must live in my car someplace. I dropped a nut for the grill and lost a little cotter pin that holds the hood star on and they are both completely MIA. I took the air compressor and blew all over, I looked, I poked a little magnet on a flexible stick thing around and nothing. I shined a flashlight, reached around where I could get my hand, started the car and revved the engine hoping the fan on the engine might blow it out of there, or the motion might rattle something loose. No such luck of course. I really hate that. Not only am I without the proper fasteners for my grill and hood star now, I also have a couple random pieces of hardware hanging out in my car which distresses me.
So I have reached the end of my car fixing rope and the rest will be done by someone who knows what they are doing. I wrote up a nice paper explaining where the stuff I removed is located, where the car cover is, since it has been raining and my electrical system is kind of exposed at the moment and the documenting all of the stuff I have done and all of the problems the car was having. I hope they can make sense of it. I don't always know the technical terms for stuff. I kind of learned about cars just by observing my dad do stuff with them and then by having a basic understanding of how an internal combustion engine works. I know it needs vaporized fuel, I know it needs something to ignite said fuel and I know it needs a way to transfer that energy to the wheels to make them turn and I know the friction from the motion of the engine causes heat and it needs a way to keep the car cool, so there is water and a radiator. From there I just kind of trace stuff and figure it out by looking at it as I go. All of the little weird shit and sensors and relays and various other stuff that does not have an outwardly obvious function is a little lost on me. I know it is there for a reason, but not always sure what the reason is. I have found a lot of help on online forums and by looking at parts catalogs to at least attempt to identify the pieces. I still wrote up a list for the mechanic that will probably either get me laughed at or completely dismissed as a moron.
I called one guy and he was very rude to me. I tried to explain what I had done and what I thought the problem was and what I replaced based on that thinking and he told me off telling me with my lack of technical terms and know how I should never drive, let alone try working on a car. I told him that was nice, because he had just insured that he would not be touching or working on my car either. What a douche. I realize I maybe didn't fix anything, but on the same hand I did. I replaced stuff that is 15 years old and probably needed to be replaced at some point anyway. I figured out stuff that wasn't the problem and only spent around $450 and that included the new OEM headlights, new OEM trim, new grill, new original Mercedes Benz carpet and new gas and brake pedals and a new rubber thing for my antenna which was oxidized and shitty looking. I know the vacuum lines needed to be replaced because they were rotted out and gummy. The spark plugs were foul and not too pretty looking so they needed to be replaced and the wires and stuff I'm sure needed it as well. Just because the car starts and runs doesn't mean it is doing it as well as it could be. Or so that is what I tell myself.
Here is the list I'm giving the mechanic tomorrow. It is what I told the guy who was so rude to me. I didn't' think I was being too much of a tool in my description.
I have removed parts to get to the cabin fan. All parts removed are in boxes in the back seat of the car. I have left this as is and expect to see a savings on labor cost because of this work already having been done by me. Please make the fan work but do not reassemble this part of the car, I plan to clean these parts well and replace foam , and seals and other stuff as this is put back together. Also have new parts ordered from Germany and plan to replace with the new parts when they arrive. If car cannot be kept indoors overnight there is a tarp located in the trunk of the car which you may use to protect it as you see fit in case of rain. Waiting on new hood latch to put new front grill back on, just leave as is. Will replace when part arrives.
Recent problems:
I was sitting at a light waiting to make a left turn and the engine stumbled a little while idling. When the light changed I stepped on the gas and the car died. All dash lights flickered on. Got out to push car out of the intersection and then tried restarting and it started and drove home without incident.
Since stereo was installed the light under the transmission shifter does not work. This is annoying. (If this is because of the stereo installation, please document as I will complain to the installer about this)
Blower fan for cabin does not work. Heat or cold leak slowly out of the vents when the car is in motion, but there is no motion from the fan, just air forced in from driving. I noticed this very soon after the stereo was installed as well. Had not used the fan right away after getting the new stereo because the weather was nice and I used my sunroof instead. If this is related to stereo please document as well.
Car "swims" on freeway at speeds over 50 MPH. Also noticed a knocking sound from right front of car when pulling out of my driveway and going down the curb hump. (I have rounded curbs on my street as my method in and out of the driveway, not a smooth fan shaped ramp) Wondering about condition of bushings and other rubber suspension parts. If they need replacement, please call me to discuss.
When looking into cabin fan issue noticed a blown 30 amp fuse for the auxiliary fan. When I replaced the fuse, the fan would not shut off until I removed the fuse. Have not located the cause of this.
Have had power steering fixed a couple times by ******** Mercedes shop. Still leaks. Please advise.
Transmission shifts more abruptly than I would like. Please advise.
Does my differential fluid need to be changed? Please advise
How are the flex disks and other drive train stuff under car? Please advise.
Recent work:
Replaced:
Fuel filter
OVP relay
Coolant Temperature Sensor on Engine block
Headlight relay
All fuses except fuse for Aux fan
Various vacuum line connectors that looked corroded
Replaced Headlight frames
Replaced spark plugs
Replaced Spark plug wires
Replaced distributor cap (not rotor, rotor was out of stock)
Replaced cracked black and white barrel shaped valve connected to vacuum lines under right fender by the washer fluid reservoir.
Reconnected vacuum hose from fuel sender thing to hose that comes out of the top of the air filter housing
Cleaned visible ground connections
Cleaned battery compartment, neutralized acid and repainted corroded battery tray.
Fixed a small hole in the exhaust pipe under the car with JB weld. Hole about inch diameter.
Plugged in connection on left headlight that had fallen out
Changed oil/filter 400 miles ago
Replaced Air filter 2 oil changes ago. Change oil and filter about every 6 months or 1000 miles. This car only drives about 2000 miles per year.
Removed cabin fan and tested on bench by hooking directly to battery. Fan worked when connected this way.
Had recently serviced (within last year last serviced by ******* Mercedes)
New Auxiliary fan (about a year ago)
New aftermarket stereo installed by ******* Auto Sound & Security (about 3 months ago)
AC serviced (about 1 year ago)
Brakes, shoes, pads, rotors all new (about 1 year ago)
New water pump (about a year ago)
New hoses for cooling system (about a year ago)
New coolant level sensor (about 1 year ago)
New serpent belt (1 year ago)
New idler pulley (I year ago)
New tensioner (2.5 years ago)
New Alternator (About 2.5 years ago by ************* Mercedes )
Transmission fluid change and flush (2.5 years ago by ************ Mercedes )
Recap of work I want done by your shop, please call me at *** *** **** before performing any work to get approval from me. Please let me know if you notice anything else which is a problem or a problem waiting to happen.
Make blower fan work
Make light under shifter work
Make Aux fan work properly
Look into problem with freeway swimming, check bushings, bearings and other suspension components
Check transmission and advise
Advise on possible change of differential fluid.
Check flex disks and other drive train components and advise on condition of them.
Check power steering and advise on cost and repair for this leaky part
Advise on cost of engine compression test.
Advise on any other possible problems with car and other service it may need with present mileage and the idea that I am looking to get another 100K out of it.
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
I wish I could do half you did...