Weird problem with Mercedes C180

[Tomographic]

Hey guys, hoping to get some idea with an issue I've been having with my 2013 Mercedes c180.

Occasionally id say 2/5 times I'll have this weird issue where the headlights start blinking, the parking break indicator comes on and the steering wheel kind of locks itself (becomes rigid). The acceleration afterwards feels like its throttled almost like your accelerating with the parking brake on. This issue usually happens as you do the first turn of the trip or in the first 15 seconds of the trip. If it doesn't happen in that time then everything is as normal.

idk i think it might be something with the abs maybe?



It was the auxiliary battery

 

[MQS47]

most cars behave like this when the battery/aux battery is on its way out.Would be a good place to start.

 

[Pynoxim]

That's an earth issue or a charging voltage issue.

 

[Tomographic]

That's an earth issue or a charging voltage issue.

Even the steering wheel basically locking itself? Like it becomes extremely hard to to move it for 5ish seconds while all the indicators are blinking.

 

[ovisser1]

Even the steering wheel basically locking itself? Like it becomes extremely hard to to move it for 5ish seconds while all the indicators are blinking.

Might be that the power steering pump is off?

 

[dhirennaidoo]

Even the steering wheel basically locking itself? Like it becomes extremely hard to to move it for 5ish seconds while all the indicators are blinking.

I don't have any experience with your specific car, but 2004+ VW Polo's exhibit the same behaviour. The power steering pump on these cars are now electric, not belt driven off the engine as older cars were. A quick check under the bonnet will tell you.

 

[Tomographic]

I don't have any experience with your specific car, but 2004+ VW Polo's exhibit the same behaviour. The power steering pump on these cars are now electric, not belt driven off the engine as older cars were. A quick check under the bonnet will tell you.

most cars behave like this when the battery/aux battery is on its way out.Would be a good place to start.

What would you guys have me check out specifically? Should I go to battery centre and show them this post?

 

[MQS47]

What would you guys have me check out specifically? Should I go to battery centre and show them this post?

Tell them to test your battery,Most places will give you a free report and advise if it needs replacing.

 

[ovisser1]

I dont have my money on battery.
If it was, the alternator should still keep everything alive.

If alternator was dead, car wouldn't make it 1km before everything is dead.

Sounds power related, but battery doesn't answer all the questions.

Fact that it happens in a turn tells me loose cable or connector, but im no mechanic so pinch of salt please.

Maybe immobilizer?

 

[MQS47]

I dont have my money on battery.
If it was, the alternator should still keep everything alive.

If alternator was dead, car wouldn't make it 1km before everything is dead.

Sounds power related, but battery doesn't answer all the questions.

Fact that it happens in a turn tells me loose cable or connector, but im no mechanic so pinch of salt please.

Maybe immobilizer?

Im going on my personal experience, My Battery was fine one day and then the next didnt hold charge with no warning,died on me in traffic,got insurance to jump me and the car started but after driving for a while and stopping again the esp, abs, and all other assits including powersteering all stopped working with a xmas tree on my dash.
Changed the battery and problem solved.

 

[madness_inc]

Based on symptoms and as others have advised, check the following:
Battery
Alternator
Earth and /or wiring to critical components and control modules
A bad earth will give you the weirdest electrical niggles

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Hey guys, hoping to get some idea with an issue I've been having with my 2013 Mercedes c180.

Occasionally id say 2/5 times I'll have this weird issue where the headlights start blinking, the parking break indicator comes on and the steering wheel kind of locks itself (becomes rigid). The acceleration afterwards feels like its throttled almost like your accelerating with the parking brake on. This issue usually happens as you do the first turn of the trip or in the first 15 seconds of the trip. If it doesn't happen in that time then everything is as normal.

idk i think it might be something with the abs maybe?

ABS speed sensor might be the culprit.

Some of these uses infro from that sensor to adjust the steering.

If you have the BlueEfficiency, the powersteering get's suspended at speed in a straight line. It might be worth looking into that too.

But more likely ABS sensors.

 

[Tomographic]

ABS speed sensor might be the culprit.

Some of these uses infro from that sensor to adjust the steering.

If you have the BlueEfficiency, the powersteering get's suspended at speed in a straight line. It might be worth looking into that too.

But more likely ABS sensors.

ABS front and rear sensors have been replaced.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

ABS front and rear sensors have been replaced.

Disconnect them and take a drive, see if the issue comes back. Might still have a faulty one.

You mention it also happens when turning, what is the condition of your earth connections?

 

[Scrooloose]

Certainly sounds like an electrical problem. My old Volvo S60 acted real weird when the battery was conking out.

 

[Tomographic]

Disconnect them and take a drive, see if the issue comes back. Might still have a faulty one.

You mention it also happens when turning, what is the condition of your earth connections?

Just took it to battery centre they’ve said the battery is too small in physical size? Also a few cells are dead. I’ve requested a loan battery. He also checked the earth connections and alternator and a bit of the wiring and said they all check out. I’ll try driving without ABS sensors but the issue was present from before they were replaced.

 

[SteveIndeed]

A friend of mine has a 2007 C200 Kompressor. For the second time in the car's life, the steering lock and release mechanism died. The mechanism is connected in some manner to the immobiliser. It meant that the car couldn't be started at all despite all the electrics (fuses, battery voltage, etc) being a-okay. The failure of that mechanism is apparently common on these cars. It might be that the mechanism on your car is on its way out. I raise this point because of OP having said this:

Even the steering wheel basically locking itself

But with the battery shop having seemingly pointed to the issue, the battery might be the cause.

When you say they reckon the battery is too small, do you know what size battery the car should take? And what is the size indicated on the battery itself?

 

[Rickster]

When you say they reckon the battery is too small, do you know what size battery the car should take? And what is the size indicated on the battery itself?

I think it needs a 658.

 

[Tomographic]

Will get the loan battery Thursday and chase all the others leads tomorrow. I’ll also get more specifics on the battery. I really appreciate all the help guys. You’re all amazing.

Also as this was my moms old car I mentioned the battery to her. She says this issue started when they had replaced the battery. But not 100% how much I trust her recollections. But it does give me confidence that it is the battery.

A friend of mine has a 2007 C200 Kompressor. For the second time in the car's life, the steering lock and release mechanism died. The mechanism is connected in some manner to the immobiliser. It meant that the car couldn't be started at all despite all the electrics (fuses, battery voltage, etc) being a-okay. The failure of that mechanism is apparently common on these cars. It might be that the mechanism on your car is on its way out. I raise this point because of OP having said this:

But with the battery shop having seemingly pointed to the issue, the battery might be the cause.

When you say they reckon the battery is too small, do you know what size battery the car should take? And what is the size indicated on the battery itself?

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Just took it to battery centre they’ve said the battery is too small in physical size? Also a few cells are dead. I’ve requested a loan battery. He also checked the earth connections and alternator and a bit of the wiring and said they all check out. I’ll try driving without ABS sensors but the issue was present from before they were replaced.

Could very well be that the battery cannot output enough current to run everything properly.

 

[brakpanpolisie]

This sounds very similar to issues I was having and turned out to be the battery.
Every blue moon or so it would throw a hissyfit and lose power steering etc

Long story short but for years I was driving with the wrong size battery, for some reason in SA the manufacturer recommended the same size battery for the 1.2 petrol as for my 1.9 diesel. Also wasn't getting much life, maybe 2 years tops.

My mech picked this up the other day, swopped in proper size battery and everything is golden.

So yeah here is hoping that the new proper spec batt will sort out your issues.

 

[SteveIndeed]

This sounds very similar to issues I was having and turned out to be the battery.
Every blue moon or so it would throw a hissyfit and lose power steering etc

Long story short but for years I was driving with the wrong size battery, for some reason in SA the manufacturer recommended the same size battery for the 1.2 petrol as for my 1.9 diesel. Also wasn't getting much life, maybe 2 years tops.

My mech picked this up the other day, swopped in proper size battery and everything is golden.

So yeah here is hoping that the new proper spec batt will sort out your issues.

Fucking Volkswagens...

 

[Tomographic]

just had the battery replaced and the problem persists. will investigate the ABS

 

[brakpanpolisie]

That sucks man, well thing it isn't out of the way
Have you checked out an owners forum like MBWorld or such?
They might have some insight as its a pretty specific problem

 

[Kamikaze]

Have you scanned the ECU for errors?

 

[adrcl]

Brake fluid is low

 

[Tomographic]

Hey guys, looking for an opinion.

Could this be a symptom of a loose serpentine belt?

 

[G-spot]

Its been mentioned before, Check your earthing points

Also have the car scanned and see which errors come up.