My E + P jacks will not deploy (1 Viewer)

[DavidG58]

@funflair that's the one Martin, typo I think or lousy memory, hope the right ones turn up tomorrow

 

[Chris]

Good luck with it David

It’s a pity we aren’t closer because I could have nipped over and sorted it in a flash with my technical prowess

 

[Debs]

And it's a pity you weren't collecting them David, they're only down the road, we could have had lunch.

Hope you manage to get sorted.....I'm just in it for the entertainment value as usual x

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[DavidG58]

this could be a long running thread, with deviations, but nothing new with me there

phase one complete

Mertrux have done the 2 yearly service at which I asked them to check the alternator output, all done and tested, all OK

but while with them I asked them to check an occasional exhaust smell we get in the cab area when driving...........................


they reported back that all they could do was put a camera up into the area as there is no access, they then reported back that I have a loose bolt on the turbo manifold (some may well recall me and turbos) to get to there we need to to remove the gear box and it will take approx 20 hours to remove the gear box and get access

Oh! say I staying quite calm, just suppose that you had changed that component around 18 months ago, should that bolt really be loose

Ah! say them I forgot we changed your turbo....... when can you leave it with us for a few days we will sort it

no change on the D+ issue, but a minor result, so far £330 down for the service and assurance the alternator is not to blame

booked in next week with a motorhome electronics specialist for further investigation

 

[funflair]

David

Talked to Mick at NEC and apparently there is a unit under drivers seat that has 3 connections permanent live, engine running and D+ he said access was easier through a hatch behind the gas bottles, might be next place to check, he couldn't quite remember if yours was onto D+ or engine running.

Martin

 

[DavidG58]

Thanks Martin

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[DavidG58]

Phase 2 today, still not fixed but I am trying hard to pick the positives out of the trip

Been to a Reich expert thinking the fault must be there,

I now know I have a Reich 2 box, which is good news apparently, much better built

I also now know the Reich is not getting any input from the Mercedes side of things

Usefully it would appear the E + P pick up their own input directly from the chassis, as Martin describes above and Mick confirmed when I rang him for help today

What a top man he is, conversation went something like

'hello David, what can I do for you'

'Blimey Mick amazed you still have my number over 3 years since fitted, do you only keep the bad ones'

'no I keep any mobile number given to me, just in case'

'do you remember my job?'

'Hymer Mercedes, E + P and Air, bugger of a job'

'very impressive Mick'

we hadn't been able to easily see the connection under the seat, Mick described it like he did it yesterday, we could then confirm there is no voltage getting to this post

now either I didn't explain what I wanted well enough to Mertrux, or they didn't listen, either way they didn't do what I hoped. I have rung them back to explain that I have now spent a tank of fuel and paid 2 hours labour to confirm the voltage they assured me was present isn't where it needs to be. They have now confirmed they only checked it at the alternator

so phase 3 is right back to phase 1, back to Mercedes on Monday for them to find out where the signal voltage is going

I do know I don't need a new Reich box or alternator, so hopefully only time to find it now, unless there is some other component that might control the signal, even if there is hopefully not too expensive when found

 

[gus-lopez]

Phase 2 today, still not fixed but I am trying hard to pick the positives out of the trip

Been to a Reich expert thinking the fault must be there,

I now know I have a Reich 2 box, which is good news apparently, much better built

I also now know the Reich is not getting any input from the Mercedes side of things

Usefully it would appear the E + P pick up their own input directly from the chassis, as Martin describes above and Mick confirmed when I rang him for help today

What a top man he is, conversation went something like

'hello David, what can I do for you'

'Blimey Mick amazed you still have my number over 3 years since fitted, do you only keep the bad ones'

'no I keep any mobile number given to me, just in case'

'do you remember my job?'

'Hymer Mercedes, E + P and Air, bugger of a job'

'very impressive Mick'

we hadn't been able to easily see the connection under the seat, Mick described it like he did it yesterday, we could then confirm there is no voltage getting to this post

now either I didn't explain what I wanted well enough to Mertrux, or they didn't listen, either way they didn't do what I hoped. I have rung them back to explain that I have now spent a tank of fuel and paid 2 hours labour to confirm the voltage they assured me was present isn't where it needs to be. They have now confirmed they only checked it at the alternator

so phase 3 is right back to phase 1, back to Mercedes on Monday for them to find out where the signal voltage is going

I do know I don't need a new Reich box or alternator, so hopefully only time to find it now, unless there is some other component that might control the signal, even if there is hopefully not too expensive when found

It would surely be easier for the merc dealer to drag a new wire through from the D on the alternator, which has power, to the Post under the seat where the power needs to be but isn't, rather than try to find what would appear to be a break in the existing wire.

 

[DavidG58]

It would surely be easier for the merc dealer to drag a new wire through from the D on the alternator, which has power, to the Post under the seat where the power needs to be but isn't, rather than try to find what would appear to be a break in the existing wire.

that would be my logic, but not sure what else the signal does on its way, if anything

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[DavidG58]

So some positivity tonight, dropped MH off at Mertrux for amongst other things another look at the D+ connection I had already asked them to do, they wheeled in their auto electrician, not the one who did it first time, but the one who would be looking tomorrow

My brief description of what I know, which really grown a lot , he knew exactly what and where I meant, or at least made all the right noises

They are also sorting the turbo manifold while in and I am popping in tomorrow morning to try to demonstrate our other unresolved issue where we appear to have no power at all on a cold engine, needing massive revs just to move, all absolutely fine if left to tick over for 5 mins or if you get going quickly, not usually possible when leaving sites or turning round at home

 

[canopus]

Turbo boost valve sounds a possible candidate for lack of power, if there is one fitted on the V6 David.

 

[DavidG58]

Turbo boost valve sounds a possible candidate for lack of power, if there is one fitted on the V6 David.

I did think that was part of the turbo assembly changed completely last year, we had the same symptoms before the turbo episodes started, but will ask them today, on my way down to hopefully show them the condition that happens every time we drive it, hopefully still happens when we have a mechanic sat beside us they have tested it from cold in the past and can't find the fault

at least one doesn't stop us using it, but it would be really sad to find it needs a part they can only reach when the turbo is accessed / removed, just after they put the gear box back in again

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[DavidG58]

some more progress

auto electrician at Mertrux is confident he will find a failed relay, particularly as the D+ sort of failed and recovered before failing completely

same chap did the test drive around their site this morning, all looked like it was going to perform correctly I suggested one more manoeuvre reverse into bay, all OK still but went to pull out and got exactly what we do it just will not move without huge revs

in his words 'I know what that might be' as he said it isn't lack of power, just lack of drive, almost like a slipping clutch. The confusing bit is you can drive a few yards before the problem starts, then clears after a few more or by running the engine, he suspects a transmission oil level or maybe pump. Amazingly they remove the gearbox full of oil and replace it again without changing the g/box oil, only done on an auto box every 60K miles apparently

Picking up on Thursday after turbo is refitted

 

[DavidG58]

Hopefully a very positive and near concluding post to this thread

Firstly, just to confirm the fault never was just the E + P, so anybody who has just read right through all the thread hoping for an answer to an E + P problem, unless you have the following D+ issue I wont have helped much

Mertrux rang an hour ago with 4 updates, not bad with only 3 problems

1. D + 14V signal fault confirmed as Mercedes chassis, a relay had failed, traced and replaced just have to hope that something in the conversion didn't cause the problem, shame they missed it at first check would have saved the trip to Wales

2. Turbo refitted, asked if they found the problem, they did, the turbo kit from Mercedes comprises new gasket and fixing bolts, which they used, Mertrux have now identified that the bolts were too long, although they would have gone tight, they didn't make a seal on the gasket, that will make an interesting conversation between Mertrux and Mercedes I would think, although there may be more to that than I ever get to know

3. No power / drive on cold engine, they checked auto gear box oil level, it was low, seems too obvious that that could be the fix, oil replaced completely, watch this space, MH is still in workshop so hasn't been driven yet

4. finally they asked if I had noticed the braking being soft, not overly, but a bit, while working with more space due to no gearbox they have found a seized front brake, so asked for permission to change, as they didn't pick it up at service they are asking for parts costs only, they will cover the labour. Quite probably a consequence of the 6K miles dash round Scandanavia

Not seen the bill yet, but with zero contribution towards the turbo, 20 hours, hopefully it will not be too shocking

Picking up lunchtime then off to Terry to hopefully resolve just about my last 'current' problem, the black tank vent smell, going to resurrect or create a new thread for that

 

[JockandRita]

It sounds like progress has been made David.
I just hope the end bill, doesn't take the edge off of that for you.

My money is on the black tank vent problem being a simple one...........................however, I've never been much of a lucky gambler.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[funflair]

Looks like progress David, I can't imagine the front brake calliper was "very seized" as you should/would have picked it up driving or smelt the brakes getting "hot"

Long bolts in short holes, thats a bit basic thought Mercedes might have managed to get that right

Any all good.

Martin

 

[jdk62]

Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel and you can just get on with enjoying your van.

 

[Robert Clark]

How’s the van driving now David?

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[DavidG58]

How’s the van driving now David?

Just sat in reception waiting to pick it up now

 

[DavidG58]

Looks like progress David, I can't imagine the front brake calliper was "very seized" as you should/would have picked it up driving or smelt the brakes getting "hot"

Long bolts in short holes, thats a bit basic thought Mercedes might have managed to get that right

Any all good.

Martin

It wasn’t a calliper the pad ‘slider’ apparently, they have shown me an exploded diagram but I am not really any wiser. It holds the pad

Slider was corroded now cleaned and new discs and pads put on front

 

[Robert Clark]

Just sat in reception waiting to pick it up now

Have you had the bill yet?
You might need to stay sitting down.

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[DavidG58]

Have you had the bill yet?
You might need to stay sitting down.

I think I might win GTB on this one, very pleased indeed

I think there was an element of mild embarrassment from Mertux, but good on them they have stood to it and sorted things

The D+ problem was just a relay £8.80 + VAT no charge to find fault

Gearbox oil changed hopefully to resolve cold running issue, parts that also includes oil, gaskets and filter £70 + VAT, £35 + VAT labour for that bit

Brake discs and pads with sensors and screws? £155 + VAT no labour

Everything works on the D+ signal that should, appears just bad luck the relay failing

Drives well, seems better than before, maybe the brakes had been a progressive issue, certainly stops better now

and even got better MPG on run home, that must be coincidence

the turbo bit seems almost impossible to believe, but having had odd things with German suppliers for work, I do know as a nation they are far from the perfect manufacturers we used to think

 

[gus-lopez]

Did they show you where the relay is for next time ?

 

[DavidG58]

Did they show you where the relay is for next time ?

they did and have even marked it D+

but there wont be a next time

mind you carrying a spare maybe wouldn't be a bad idea

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[DavidG58]

 

[Langtoftlad]

...but do your E+P jacks deploy!

 

[DavidG58]

I haven't actually tried them, but am 99.9% sure they will

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[icantremember]

I haven't actually tried them, but am 99.9% sure they will

 

[JockandRita]

I haven't actually tried them, but am 99.9% sure they will

Go on man, give them a go. We need to know.

I'm pleased to see that you weren't "stung" David.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[DavidG58]

...but do your E+P jacks deploy!

Go on man, give them a go. We need to know.

I'm pleased to see that you weren't "stung" David.

Cheers,

Jock.

Morning

I will be on my way to Terry's for the black tank vent problem in a bit, I will try them before I leave

But really the only reason they were not working, along with loads of other things once I checked around, was the missing D+ signal

Hope they aren't now famous last words

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