Strange CLS problem.

[sjc]

Wife was driving her CLS (320cdi) yesterday all was fine and then light come up on dashboard, looking in manual might be engine management.Anyway, parks up almost immediatly (was 30 secs from destination fortunately), turns ignition off but there's still a loud noise coming from underneath bonnet (I assume this to be the fans, but it was loud enough for people to stop as they were walking past!). Noise continues for 20 mins or more (while on the phone to dealer and Mobilo)Dealer, says drive it in( I said on no accounts do that as dealer has been crap so far).Whatever noise it was it eventally stops but Mobilo can't get car started at all and off it goes on a low loader.
Being armed with previous experience I can sense another battle coming.
Six trips to dealer (11 faults some big some small) in 3 months!
Any ideas?

[tonylal]

Phone customer assistance at Milton Keynes and get a case number; the dealer who has the car then gets 48 hours to reply to MBUK with a resolution plan. MBUK log all the replies and store the case history. 3 attempts to fix it and then you can ask for a new car.He who shouts loudest... You then sell the new car as fast as you can and never buy another Merc until they stop cutting corners....Ex-MB employee fighting the good cause.

[sjc]

Thanks very much, will bear that in mind. Wife had a call to say car ready tommorrow,when she asked what the problem was the reply was " a wire was sending the wrong signal to the car" Think I might want to know a bit more than that!
Regarding the 3 strikes and out,I assume that refers to the same problem, and does it apply to problems big and small?
Thanks again

[tonylal]

I think the official line is that it does need to be the same problem, however, from inside experience, find out who the MA Sales Director is for your region and hound him.
Everytime you report a problem to the call centre they issue a CRP to the dealer and he has 48 hours to respond or gets into serious bother. The call centre has to phone you to confirm if they have done what they have said. After a couple of months they will cave in and get you another car; Their regional warranty manager writes off the loss between old and new. They can chase you for a contribution if you have done more than 10,000 miles but it is still value.
As for the wire - there are'nt any! The car uses fibre optic cables instead of a loom. But they do tend to flash the wrong signals sometimes, so fair enough, but all electrics are the connected - so if they keep telling you the same story then you could argue that it is the same fault. Mentioning that you are putting the matter into the hands of your solicitor has an effect similar to a laxative........good luck,

[Dino D]

tonylal said:

The car uses fibre optic cables instead of a loom. But they do tend to flash the wrong signals sometimes,

So why the fvck are they using them???
Scary stuff indeed...

[tonylal]

...no, no, no they really are great. Especially when they get ever so slightly crimped under the rear seat and stop working altogether.

[sjc]

Bloody Hell Tony you're a mine of information!