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My Steering Lock Issue Solved


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I hope my experience with my steering lock issue can help others.

I'm driving a W204 and my ESL fault started intermittent where it happen once in every few weeks and after afew in  /out of keys, it works normal again. Only last few months where it drive me crazy. It happens almost daily and it took me as long as 10 to 15mins to get it to start. And it worried me that i will never get it start again.

So i started doing some research and get some quotes on changing the ESL. The cost of changing the ESL turn me off, singapore workshop charges S$1500 to 1800. Malaysia workshop slightly cheaper RM 3800 to 4000. Youtube teaches on how to DIY, just replace the bloody small DC motor which taobao can buy at RMB30 per pc. But anyway, looks simple but complicated for me. So i drop the idea to DIY.

Somehow I was blessed that i come across a bodykit shop owner in permas jaya who recommended me his next shop can do the ESL repair, because he has the same issue like me and has done the repair on his W204.

The repair cost RM1500 plus another RM50 for wheel alignment and comes with 3 mths warranty. I considered it very cheap compared to changing a brand new S$1500. But the repair takes 2 days, so i enjoy a 1 night stay in JB. Is been 2 days driving, the ESL is working good and strong. Keeping my finger crossed, hope it solved once and for all.

if you dun want to spend a bomb in changing the ESL and want a cheap skate method like me, pm me for the workshop address.

 

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  • 3 months later...

Thks for sharing JB lobang. My W204 ESL failed and I had the car towed to CS Tampines and $1.4k poorer to replace a new ESL. No chance to start up the car to drive to JB. 

I'm considering to renew 10yrs COE for my W204 end the year. It's $20k PARF + $50k PQP, depreciate $7k per year for a Merc C180. But may need to go JB to check/repair wear and tear. Does the JB workshop specialised in Merc repair?

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Martin! Can recommend me which workshop in singapore you asked for the quote? 

And ask the jb workshop address?

my esl very noisy now and if it's 1k plus I willing to do in singapore maybe

if convenient whatsapp me 97661283?

thanks!

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...
  • 2 weeks later...
On 20 June 2017 at 8:39 AM, Benz said:

Thks for sharing JB lobang. My W204 ESL failed and I had the car towed to CS Tampines and $1.4k poorer to replace a new ESL. No chance to start up the car to drive to JB. 

I'm considering to renew 10yrs COE for my W204 end the year. It's $20k PARF + $50k PQP, depreciate $7k per year for a Merc C180. But may need to go JB to check/repair wear and tear. Does the JB workshop specialised in Merc repair?

Where the sg wrkshop. I guess this one most pple need. Lolz 

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 months later...

My turn to get ESL. Manage to have the car started after twisting the steering left/ right, lock/ unlock a few times.

Car has been behaving well since, but still worried it will come back again.

Got quoted from 2 workshop, 1 offer 1k for recon, and 1.6k for new. Another workshop, ask me to do a bypass so it woundnt happen again, at 1k.

Anyone have cheaper option? Anyone try the bypass method before, any feedback?

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Hi,

You are right about the motor. i smack under the steering wheel, the lock will work again, but after a few days, it come back again.

There are lots of video in youtube for whole ESL replacement, motor replacement, bypass/ emulator installation, reprogramming, etc.

For second question, I think so. Go for bypass, as I worried it might come back again after a few years of used. (Planning to renew COE if PQP drop below 30k, :money:)

For ESL replacement, the cheapest I found is $1.2k.

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For bypass, do check if you can remove the car battery and will not affect the bypass. If not, there will be a problem if you change your car battery without supplying a parallel power source, the bypass will be gone and the ESL might revert back to original state.

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Hi Stepper78, 

Is ESL replacement mean replace the DC motor? or change the complete ESL lock module? 

So, we have 3 options?

1.Change ESL module to new (+ reprogram)? 

2.repair ESL motor (change motor) (no need reprogram)

3.Circult Bypass (emulator), remove the DC motor .. no more steering lock function & failure in future?

 

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14 hours ago, catfish said:

Hi Stepper78, 

Is ESL replacement mean replace the DC motor? or change the complete ESL lock module? 

So, we have 3 options?

1.Change ESL module to new (+ reprogram)? 

2.repair ESL motor (change motor) (no need reprogram)

3.Circult Bypass (emulator), remove the DC motor .. no more steering lock function & failure in future?

 

Maybe your point 1 means new, point 2 is recon and point 3 is bypass. 

Was tempted to buy a motor off aliexpress to try, but don't think my skill is good enough. ($30+-, lots of video on youtube) 

Once I heard of the bypass option, I am more or less more towards it. The shop also give quite a good warranty, so I just went for it.

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

Hi all, just did my c klasse steering lock repair at VTEC auto, so far no issues, boss perry even gave a return voucher valued at 10% of repairs, they even touch up minor details in my car like a missing lock switch on my driver side and valcro for throttle control as it was hanging out.... definitely recommended fr bros facing this issue to look for him... genuine service really 2 thumbs up..

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  • 4 months later...
On 6/7/2018 at 3:17 PM, V-Tec Admin said:

Thank you Carl for your support, glad your like our service.

We strive to do even better for Sgmerc bros, feel free to contact us, we will give additional discounts, just quote "Sgmerc"

Hi, can you service the keyless door handle without having to change the whole assembly? If yes can let me know how much per door. Three of my door handles lost its keyless entry. Thanks.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 10/16/2018 at 1:25 PM, V-Tec Admin said:

keyless entry it's required to replace the door handle, it's not possible to repair or service.

we will need to check which door handle is faulty, most of the time just 1 door handles can cause malfunction to the other doors' handle keyless system.

How much is the door handle for W205? 

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