Originally Posted by
pizzaguy
It is usually fractured solder on the RCM - Dj in Arizona can fix that if you send him your RCM, for around $40. When the RCM fails, the pump wont run and you get a P0401.
Of course, your 'mechanic' probably never even tried to see if closing the relay makes the pump run - he just assumed the pump was bad - and in ten years here on the forum, I can tell you that I remember maybe TWO times is was the pump, every other time, it was the RCM. Again, easy fix.
In any event,
That valve is not $1500, (well, thru Chrysler it probably is). In that case, tell your 'mechanic' to order the Bosch part for the SLK320.
If the valve-pump IS bad, even with labor, it should not go over maybe $500.
But he WAS right, if you are not doing emissions, who cares? (Well, actually, you should fix it, cause you have a CEL, if another code is generated for some other issue, you will never know, cause the light is going to be on most of the time due to the P410.)
Most problems are caused by poor grounds and mainly burnt contacts on the air pump relay.