Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes C180 2002 not starting and cutting out

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Wed 24 Oct 2012 12:59
Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes C180 2002 not starting and cutting out - uksant

My friend’s 2002 Mercedes C180 does not always start and, even when it does, it often cuts out without warning.

She asked for a diagnostic at an independent garage, for which she was charged. Despite requests, she has never been supplied with the diagnostic report (showing the error code). She was advised that the ignition switch needed to be replaced but that the garage would need the car’s registration documents to order the parts from Mercedes. She was also asked if she had both keys.

She has contacted a Mercedes franchise garage and they have indicated that the most likely cause is the key. In addition, the Mercedes franchise garage advised that if the problem did lie with the ignition switch then there would be an additional charge for reprogramming that is required and that independent garages are often not able to do this successfully.

My friend is concerned that the independent garage is not 100% confident that the ignition switch does need to be replaced (they have failed to supply the diagnostic report to support this) and that even if it does then the independent garage will not be able to do the necessary reprogramming. Furthermore, it could be that only the key is faulty and she would be paying for work that didn’t actually need to be done.

So, the questions are:

Firstly, for this make and model, is it likely to be the ignition switch or key at fault (or, is there no real history of such failures to go on)?Secondly, if the ignition switch does need to be replaced then is it better to go to a franchised garage on the basis that independent garages may not be able to do the necessary reprogramming?

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Wed 24 Oct 2012 20:58
Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes C180 2002 not starting and cutting out - sandy56

Seems odd that you can get charged for the report but not get a copy. I would ask to see the manager of the garage and formally request this report in writing.

Check the MB owners forums for problems with this model also search on this site to see if there is any similar history.

IF she has both keys try using the car with the other key? I would try the main delaer for Mercedes and ask for the cost of the new ignition switch and fitting. Or the cost of the new key and the programming of the key.

Maybe you could buy a newer used key from the well known auction site and have it reprogrammed for the car? Quite a few garages and specialists do this.

It is sometimes quicker and more convient to get the problem fixed at the main dealer also sometimes cheaper! but get an inspection and then an estimate for the repairs dont just tell them to fix it.

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Thu 25 Oct 2012 00:30
Mercedes-Benz C-Class - Mercedes C180 2002 not starting and cutting out - elekie&a/c doctor

I am not convinced that this a key/igntion switch problem.More likely to be an engine control management issue.Replacing ignition switch on these is an expensive operation and the keys come pre-coded from MB,a s/hand key is useless.A more in depth diagnosis is reqd .hth

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