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YOUCANIC

Overcoming the $14,000 Challenge: My Mercedes S400’s Road to Recovery

⌂ » Success Stories

Posted onJun 22, 2023Jun 22, 2023 Updated onJun 22, 2023

In the chilly month of December, my trusty 2013 Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid abruptly stalled at a drive-thru, refusing to start. The car was promptly towed to a local Mercedes Dealership where I was informed that it would cost me a hefty $480 just to pinpoint the issue.

After a week-long wait, the dealership diagnosed a faulty battery, presenting me with an eye-watering estimate of $14,000 for a new one. This was hard for me to digest considering the car had only clocked 57,898 miles and hadn’t given me any trouble before this incident.

merceddes s400 hybrid jb

Seeking a second opinion, I had the car towed to an independent Mercedes-Benz mechanic I had been relying on for about six years. Despite their unfamiliarity with my Hybrid model, they agreed to explore the possibility of reconditioning my battery.

Meanwhile, I began scouring the internet for a used battery, a search that led me to an enlightening series of YouTube videos on common issues with Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrids. Each video was a comprehensive trove of information, all thanks to YOUCANIC.

mercedes s400 hybrid

Inspired by the content, I decided to contact YOUCANIC directly, explaining my predicament. To my surprise, the next day I received a call from the very person who appeared in the videos. I relayed the dealership’s diagnosis, at which point he requested the diagnostic codes. Despite my efforts, the dealership failed to provide these codes, a shocking lapse given the $480 diagnostic fee.

Determined, I had the car rescanned at the independent mechanic’s shop and sent all the relevant details and images to YOUCANIC. Come Monday, I received an email diagnosing the problem as the Electronic Control Module, not the HYBRID battery which was the diagnosis of the dealer. This module, I learned, was responsible for charging the hybrid battery.

module s400 power electronic

Following YOUCANIC’s advice, I sourced a refurbished module, complete with a one-year warranty, and bought a new regular car battery as suggested. After having the module installed, all the troubling codes vanished, and my car roared back to life, running as smoothly as ever. The total cost was a mere fraction of what the dealership had quoted, even if their diagnosis had been correct.

I am profoundly grateful to YOUCANIC for their invaluable assistance. Their integrity, expert knowledge, and genuine care for customers make them prime examples of excellent business practices. I wholeheartedly endorse YOUCANIC as a superior, more affordable alternative to dealerships when it comes to hybrid vehicle issues.

Author

  • Johnnie A

    I'm Johnnie A., a proud Italian living in sunny California. The purring engine of my Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid is music to my ears - a testament to my love for precision and sophisticated engineering. When my beloved car recently hit a rough patch, I didn't just take it lying down. Navigating the complex maze of car diagnostics and repairs, I tapped into my tenacity, fueled by my Italian roots, to overcome this challenge. My bond with my S400 is stronger than ever, and together we've navigated this journey of perseverance and triumph, inspiring fellow car enthusiasts along the way.

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