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SRS warning light issue on 1995 E200-124 (UK spec)

I should like to hear from anyone who has suffered from this problem.

Firstly, note this sequence of events.

  1. The SRS warning light appears.

  1. The specialist servicing company I normally use cannot diagnose the fault.

  2. MB dealer cannot diagnose the fault.

  1. The specialist servicing company tries numerous manual checks over a

4-day period, including air bag test, seat belt checks and changing over the control unit. They are reluctantly forced to admit defeat.

By now, I have discovered that my SRS problem is not uncommon. Similar reports about ABS warning lights have also emerged, but are supposedly easier to remedy.

I telephoned MB Customer Services Complaints (Europe) to ask how they can allow such a 'known problem' to exist and what can be done about it. Their reply was astounding. Basically, they refused to accept any liability for the fact that the software in the car will not 'speak' to the diagnostic program. I explained to them that this must be a software design flaw. They flatly denied my claim!

Regarding the SRS fault, they advised me to take it back to the MB dealer. I explained that the MB dealer cannot provide me with an estimate of the cost involved and that I am not prepared to write the dealer a blank cheque for a 9-year old car. MB then offered to consider a 'goodwill application' from the dealer.

I, therefore, went back to the MB dealer, whose Service Manager I know quite well. (I should explain that I used to have my car serviced by them until their labour rate hit UKP 77.00 per hour + 17.5% Value Added Tax). He warned me that MB hasn't the slightest intention of accepting a goodwill application (i.e. a partial or complete refund of the costs involved) on a

9-year old car. Regrettably, he still cannot price the work involved, because he has no idea how long it will take to find the fault (neither have MB Technical Services, Europe).

If this matter remains unresolved, I shall be left with a permanently lit SRS light. Although this won't affect the drivability of the car, the air bag will remain deactivated and this fact will automatically reduce the residual value of the vehicle.

TC

Reply to
TC
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's a law in Canada that selling a vehicle with a known airbag issue (ie. lit SRS) is a NO NO if this is not disclosed and thus buyer must be made aware of the fact. Is there such a law in UK?

Reply to
R Green - WoWsat.com

The fault is possibly relating to the pre-tension system in the seat belt. It has been faulty in my W203. Only came up once but was sufficiently important that the dealer did a warranty replacement.

Reply to
Miro

This has turned into a much bigger issue, because I now understand why this fault cannot be diagnosed.

Basically, all 124 series cars need Hermann diagnostics to reveal faults like mine. Mercedes-Benz replaced Hermann with Star Diagnosis, which I think is an IBM product, in 1996 when the 210 series first appeared in the U.K..

Star Diagnosis is not 'reverse engineered', i.e. it does not possess the capability to transfer data from an older generation 124 series car. This explains why it cannot locate/quantify my SRS problem.

Common sense dictates that this situation did not happen by accident. Someone at Mercedes-Benz must have made a commercial decision to discontinue supporting the software needed to successfully diagnose a 124 series vehicle; which leaves 124 series owners with the equivalent of a Windows 95 car trying to speak to a Windows XP laptop.

I have made a formal written complaint to Daimler-Chrysler U.K. and I intend to keep up the pressure until something is done about this scandalous issue.

TC

P.S. Recommend

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for all M-B owners.

application'

Reply to
TC

I don't think that such a law applies here, although who would want to buy a car with a lit SRS light and all that it implies, both in terms of safety and cost?

TC

Reply to
TC
124 chassis have flash code retrieval . Not sure w/UK models, but if you have a diagnostic 8 or 16 pin box in front of the battery , you should be able to get the SRS codes with a simple led/sw tool . SRS module should be pin socket # 6. Post if you have this set-up and I will give you both the code retrieval and clear pro0cess , along with the DIY tool construction/schematic
Reply to
AJDalton7

Not being technically gifted, I'm struggling to provide you with the data you require.

I've asked MB Technical for an answer and they have manage to lose my original enquiry! No answer until Monday 26/1 at the earliest now.

Anyway, I popped the bonnet or hood (depending on where you live) and looked around in the vicinity you suggested. The only clearly identifiable item was marked as follows: -

Mercedes-Benz 015 545 70 32 Siemens SW38.94 PM0009

5WK9 110 4 ZY

Probably nothing to do with the problem, but at least I didn't give you the ABS markings!

Your help appreciated.

TC

Reply to
TC

The Diagnostic plug you are looking for is a 2 inch black plastic box with a removable pop-off lid to access the codes . With the lid off , you should see the sockets... I am in US, so possibly someone from UK has more info on it's location

Reply to
AJDalton7

I think that I've found it by working on the principle that U.K. and U.S. cars have diametrical layouts.

There's a 16-pin box on the left side (assume you're standing in front of the car) of the engine-bay, located behind the firewall and to the front of the brake fluid reservoir. The sockets are very clearly marked in white (1 to 16).

FYI the battery is on the right side of the engine-bay, behind the firewall.

If you need to contact me direct, please examine my e-mail address carefully. There's something you should do before using it. It's just a simple anti-spam measure I employ. If you have any problems, just post a request for me to contact you direct.

TC

Reply to
TC

OK That is the Diagnostic access box. It allow access to Fault daignosis memory for the different systems of the car, depending on which pin # you go into. The codes can be gotten with a simple LED tool [ home-made -$5] However, US versions have the LED/Switch built into the box at pin 2 and 4 . I doubt you have that feature , as it is US Emmisions Law feature. But with a led/ push sw, and resistor , you can make the tool. From there , you can get the SRS detected Faults stored in the diagnostic memory of the SRS module at PIn # 6. This will tell you what fault is triggering the SRS warning lamp. If you want the codes and tool instr., email me...

Reply to
AJDalton7

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