Mercedes Benz A-Class W169 (2005 - ) - 2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage

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Fri 24 Oct 2008 12:53
2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage - John Crowe
Hi I have a 2005 A150 with 47000 km on the clock. A warning light linked to the engine management system came on last week. Took the car to teh local dealer who indicated that the system/electrical box that controls the engine management is broken and needs to be replaced and that the coils are also gone.

Cost of engine Management box is 1200 euros plus 200 for coils plus labour.

Just wondering has anyone come accross this problem before. Should a 3 year old car have these issues, is it a design flaw and any advice on how to take it forward


Thanks

John
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Fri 24 Oct 2008 13:02
2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage - Peter D
Was it running OK, If a coil had died then the unburnt fuel would confuse the Emissions control box. Regards Peter
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Fri 24 Oct 2008 13:07
2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage - John Crowe
Thanks Peter it was running rough and then the light came on.. It is still driving but sometimes lacks power and feels as if it is overgeared.


John
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Fri 24 Oct 2008 13:15
2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage - tony@tooting
John,
Coil failures are quite common on these. If it were me, I would get the coil pack replaced, and then get the computor cleared of codes. If the light/code stays off, you have just saved yourself a heap of euro's. If not, the the high voltage has gone into the low voltage circuit, (Voltage spike) and caused damage.
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Fri 24 Oct 2008 13:24
2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage - John Crowe
Thanks Tony sounds like a good idea. Your comment 'caused damage' does that mean the electrical spike could have damaged the engine management system?


thanks


John
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Fri 24 Oct 2008 14:24
2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage - tony@tooting
John,
Exactly right. You have to remember that the last thig that a dealer wants is a "comeback" job. So, I doupt that you will ever hear a dealer say, we have just changed the coil pack Sir, see how it goes. If, the ECU has been damaged, it will either show up straight away, or possibly at a later date. As the two jobs are independent of each other, why not just do one at a time?
The coil pack is quite eay to fit, so you may be able to fit it yourself, if you have the correct type of "Torx" driver. If not, then get a local garage to do it, but ensure that they use a genuine coil pack, and have a tool to clear the codes after. (The ECU's are however codes, so I suspect that this job, if needed, would be main agent only.)
Please let me know how you get on. (Perhaps you will have some money left for Christmas after all!)
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Fri 24 Oct 2008 15:05
2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage - John Crowe
Thanks Tony

I'll let you know


Regards

John
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Fri 24 Oct 2008 16:52
2005 1.5 Emissions Control Box and coil damage - tony@tooting
Sorry John,
That should have read, "The ECU is coded". Often these days its done via a secure link to the factory, so not even the dealer knows what the security codes are.
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