Comments and help given

 
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  • From Matt on Mercedes Benz Sound 5 Radio CD Player HA1111 Hidden Test Mode Menu

    I have just got a second hand sprinter and the radio when switched on just displays AUX and I can’t get it to do anything else. Any ideas as to what to do would be much appreciated

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      From Steve Ball on Mercedes Benz Sound 5 Radio CD Player HA1111 Hidden Test Mode Menu

      Hi Matt,
      If the buttons on the front are non responsive then it looks like the radio CPU has locked up. You may want to try disconnecting the set from the dashboard and reconnecting. If this does not cure it by resetting, then you may be better taking it to a Radio Repair shop for them to take a look.
      Interesting fault – not seen that before, though I have seen inverting display and mirror image display issues, all sorted by disconnecting at the back and then reconnecting.
      Regards
      Steve

  • From craig on Mercedes Diesel Injector Advice - Sprinter and others

    Hello all, Great write up. I did a bit of reading before carrying out this job as we mainly only work on VW commercial vehicles. So found this very helpful when doing sprinter injectors.

    Would just like to add once you have got it stripped and all black death cleaned off, undo the clamp bolt slightly, re fit the inlet manifold plastic and pipe. take vehicle for a hard run and get the engine red hot. If you hear the chuffing get slightly worse even better as the injector has started to move(you should have only slightly undone clamp bolt!! do not take this bolt out too far or the injector could rip the thread out!! This worked great for me!!

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      From Steve Ball on Mercedes Diesel Injector Advice - Sprinter and others

      Hi Craig,
      Great input. I have read about this but never done it myself – so nice to hear its a tip that actually works!
      Thanks again,
      Steve

  • From Jason on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

    Hi I have just got a 60plate sprinter and struggling to select 1st and reverse especially when running it has 140k on the clock . Would your oil work? I have 2months warranty left on the van is that worth pursuing .? 1st to 2nd is also clunky

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      From Steve Ball on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

      Hi Jason,
      Difficulty with first and reverse is a classic cable adjustment or wear on selector frame. I would be very tempted to try the warranty to get this work done fist off as if it turns out to be a gearbox issue then any financial help is a bonus. I would not swap the oil yet, just in case they claim the problem is caused, or warranty invalidated by incorrect gearbox oil fitment. Err on the side of caution for the sake of a couple of months – then by all means try it. It sounds however cable adjustment or frame replacement may be all you need.
      Good luck and do report back.
      Regards
      Steve

  • From Rob Jones on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

    HI Steve

    Problems again with my 311 cdi After following your advice I have managed nearly 4000 miles in it with the odd occasional turbo problem. Today it decided to offer me a new problem stopped and started the van loads of times today. I was at my last job about to go home dash flashed up StArt error with capital s and a must be major, anyway van would not turn over so guessed it was something to do with the imobiliser stopping it. I then sent the wife home for the other key still no luck ended up towing it back home with my car. I have done a little research most of it seems to say it is going to cost me a packet one post reffered to a solenoid that fixed it for one person but does not mention what it is or were it is by the way plenty of charge in battery the only other thing that happened was it blew the fuse that controls radio and some other things van is 2003 lwb. So i am guessing a new immobilser and reprogramme of ecu, ecu has not long ago been remmapeed not by me by previous owner.

    • From brendan on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

      I had this problem . What I did was sent the ECU off to get ” reset”. This cost £ 150. When I got it back the problem was the same.
      Next I removed the speedo to get to the immoboliser box. Then checked what power was getting to each wire . I wrote it all down . Then I got my other van that was good and did the same.
      When comparing the results I found one wire on my faulty van that should of had 12V ( but had none)

      One hour to diag and ten mins to fix.

      • From Rob Jones on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

        Hi Just an update van has not thrown the problem at me again but I have now had time to remove the fuse box. Sorry it took me so long my excuse worling and the weather. Anyway after removing the fuse box I did find the black wire that goes through the bulkhead to the horn, was spliced into another wire for power it was connected with one of those plastic clip connectors when time allows will solder it in. I also found another wire spliced into the black and red it was fused after messing with it and relocating an earth wire (not the one on the steering coloumn) it turned out to be an extractor fan in the back of the van so my dogs now get to stay cool in the summer it has not worked since I got the van.
        The fuse box itself showed no real signs of any problems a bit of tarnishing on a couple of pins cleaned them off the only real problem I found was no7 fuse was not making proper contact with it’s holder a pair of long nose pliers sorted that out, But in true sprinter fashion my heater has now become intermitent lol there is one big power connector near the heater under the bonnet that requires my attention due to some corrosion on it hope that sorts it out.

        • Avatar photo

          From Steve Ball on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

          Great result Rob.
          All the best

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      From Steve Ball on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

      Hi there,
      I would first check out the fuse box under the steering column, there are known power distribution issues and a resulting Start Error is not uncommon. I have a section covering this fuse box in the blog. Also check the wiring in and around the steering column and surrounding areas, there is a key code receiver coil that surrounds the lock barrel and this needs to checked, make sure its aligned correctly and at least plugged in securely. This connects to the key security module that lives behind the speedo binnacle. (about the size of a fag packet, black plastic) It may be worth dropping the speedo and making sure its all Ok behind there too. (worth a look) The key module is programmed to the ECU, its quite easy to swap out along with the ECU if you can ‘borrow’ one from an exact same spec van. This would be a sound way to prove the issue before spending a great deal. I would personally look for a wiring issue , what with fuses blowing etc… Its not really a common problem that the key unit itself fails. Let me know how you get on.
      All the best Steve

      • Avatar photo

        From Steve Ball on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

        This get out of jail free card sometimes works in Start Error situations.

        I. Turn ignition key to “on” position (do not crank)
        II. Disconnect negative battery terminal
        III. Turn ignition key to “off” position
        IV. Reconnect negative battery terminal
        V. Start engine

        Look into the ‘Horn fuse’ problem as this fuse feeds SKREEM (Key module) circuit.
        Regards
        Steve

        • From Rob Jones on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

          Hi Steve

          I will take a look at it properly on Sunday unfortunately for me I have got to use the van on Saturday, been out in it today and all was well. The fuse that blew controls the cigarette lighter come radio the radio is not the standard one as there was no radio when I got the van only the universal wiring harness which just plugged in to my existing radio. The horn has had a wiring job done on it before I traced one of the wires back to the bulkhead it goes in through a rubber grommet. I gave it a wiggle and think it may be a poor connection as afterwards the horn worked again but will follow your advice and take a good look at the fuse box and the wiring behind the speedo. I will let you know what I find.

          Cheers Rob

          • From Rob Jones on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

            Hi Steve

            A bit of follow up on the van decided to start passenger side lots of redundant wiring from it’s parcel delivery days some of which was still live, they had just cut the wires and left them. I have removed as much as I can trace, some goes under the van not attempted that yet always seems to be raining when i get a free moment. I have tidied up, re soldered wires and insulated them finally took out the speedo and skreem unit no problems behind here all connections good. The fuse box has given me a bit of trouble the bolt that holds it in just spins. I have started drilling out the head of the bolt to assist removal but not got it out yet, But on a plus side I now have usb charger in the van in place of the cigarette lighter lol. I will update again when I get the fuse box out.

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            From Steve Ball on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

            Rob,
            The horn wire passes over a welded lip/seam on the top of the front cross member, left hand by the headlamp, behind grille as looking at front of van. There should be a protective trim piece over the weld seam but it is is often missing. The wires to the horn sounder (that is also located here) pass over the seam and with vibration in time wear through, shorting on the unprotected chassis lip causing a break or short. Its worth a look.
            Steve

    • From Rob Jones on Mercedes Sprinter Turbo - Limp Home - Diagnosis and Fault Finding

      Update I got it running again after I pulled all fuses again for the 3rd time it reset itself? it started, a bit of basic test it see if it works showed the horn not working so more investigations anyway just posting the update so everyone else sees how I got going again.

  • From paul on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

    Hi Steve, had the tracking checked and they said it was only 2mm out, didnt have it done, the tyres were wearing out on the outside of tyre only. They check the lower arm bushes and they were ok. Any further ideas? cheers for your help, Paul

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      From Steve Ball on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

      Hi there Paul,
      Tracking that is just 0.8mm out of factory specified alignment per wheel will result in each tyre on a 15″ wheel being forced to scrub sideways 3 1/2 feet per mile! I would suggest insisting on the correct wheel alignment before looking for another cause. It seems you have 2mm ‘toe-out’ wearing the outside edges of both front tyres. Here is an interesting article that explains all about steering geometry. (It is also in the tyre depots interest that you continue to wear out your tyres, so they can then sell you a couple more… – if you are at all cynical !) http://www.anewtoronto.com/wheel%20alignment.html

      all the best Steve

      • From Terry Rose on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

        Hi steve,please could you help.I have a vito 109 and it keeps jumping out of 1st gear,its been like this for the last 2 years so I have been using 2nd all the time to pull away now the clutch is slipping,i know I have probably burned it out,do you think I would need a new gearbox to sort the problem or is there a cheaper solution,many thanks Terry

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          From Steve Ball on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

          Hi Terry,
          I would check that the shift mechanism is actually allowing the gear to fully select, you can do this by getting under and watching the frame while someone operates the shifter. If it is not, then adjust the cable length to allow correct movement range. There is a chance that the gearbox is worn, maybe a selector fork or hub. This can only be fixed by correcting the mechanical issues inside the box. The clutch and gearbox will be costly but the fact of doing both at the same time will at least off set some labour cost. Look for a good service exchange gearbox with a warranty.
          All the best Steve

  • From Shabbir on Mercedes Sprinter Heater Blower Motor Brush Replacement

    I got the carbon brushes for less than a fiver (and they came next day/superb quality ) from www.bargainbrushes.com
    they look exactly like the ones in the pic!

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      From Steve Ball on Mercedes Sprinter Heater Blower Motor Brush Replacement

      Thanks for the link Shabbir, I have looked at the site and its a great source for UK brush parts! – Even the workshop drill or the wifes vacuum.. 😉
      All the best
      Steve

  • From paul on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

    is it a common problem with a vito that the front tyres scrub out? Is there anything you can do to stop this? cheers, paul

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      From Steve Ball on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

      Hi Paul,
      No it shouldn’t be. Is yours a w638 front wheel drive of w639 rear wheel drive? In either case I would get the tracking checked as soon as possible, if this proves to be OK, have a look at the lower arm bushes if tyres are wearing on the inner edge.
      Regards Steve

      • From Mathew Morgan on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

        Hi Steve. Sorry for such a late reply but things been a little hectic as of late. Anyways I changed the oil to your suggestion and what would you know! The gearbox is back to the way it was previously! Second is still a pain now and again which I now realise is a problem that oil change was never going to fix. So I thank you once again but also my wallet thanks you too! Hehe. Cheers Mat

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          From Steve Ball on Poor First Gear Selection - Manual Gearbox Problem W639 Vito - Cure

          Good news at least Mat, there is a way to adapt your driving to make the best of a bad situation (if you don’t do it already!) Just dip the clutch well in advance of shifting the lever and let the throttle completely, then SLOWLY shift and feed back in the power and clutch. Its a purposeful slow change that traffic and road situations don’t always allow, but it does work.
          All the best
          Steve

  • From mahmoud on Mercedes Sprinter Radio Code Decoder

    hello everybody
    i just have an e230 w210 1996
    so i need ur help for my code radio
    be 2010 classic
    sn : T1633095
    003 820 62 86 (04)
    *2010JZ0T1633095*
    thanks for help

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      From Steve Ball on Mercedes Sprinter Radio Code Decoder

      I can only really help out with Sprinter Vito Radios but you are welcome to try these and let me know how you get on.
      12111
      51131
      0190 if four digit code

      Steve

  • From jeff on Sprinter anti-roll bar drop link replacement tip (T1N)

    cheers matey I’ll give it a try

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      From Steve Ball on Sprinter anti-roll bar drop link replacement tip (T1N)

      Hi Jeff
      Glad you found it of use.
      All the best Steve

  • From Tibi on Mercedes Sprinter Radio Code Decoder

    Hy,

    Please help me with the unlock code for my Sprinter Becker radio.The serial number is : Y8055366. Model : BE 4103.
    Thank you.

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      From Steve Ball on Mercedes Sprinter Radio Code Decoder

      23234 if original Audio 10 radio.
      Regards
      Steve

      • From Tibi on Mercedes Sprinter Radio Code Decoder

        Hello.
        Thank you , thats worked like a charm.

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