[Daves Not Here]

Hello all -- my 2000 E320 daily driver has 157K miles, runs great. For about a year, I get flashing "check engine" in the lower right of the console display at start up that persists for 15 minutes or longer. Occasionally, I get the large engine "Display Effective Visit Workshop!" image in the center. About once a month, I get the "ESR" light in the lower left that will not turn off when I press the ESR button in the center console.

My independent mechanic cannot diagnose but admits he is not strong in this area. The codes he pulls are inconsistent. He also says that computer replacements are hard to find for this old of a car. My next step is to take to Fletcher Jones for a thorough review, but I fear a $5K to $10K recommendation to fix.

None of these seem to affect performance, shifting, or climate control (yet), but I'd like to address these faults before I get stranded. Can anyone offer recommendations on how to troubleshoot and/or source parts to remediate?

Thanks for any response!

 

[mrboca]

Hello all -- my 2000 E320 daily driver has 157K miles, runs great. For about a year, I get flashing "check engine" in the lower right of the console display at start up that persists for 15 minutes or longer. Occasionally, I get the large engine "Display Effective Visit Workshop!" image in the center. About once a month, I get the "ESR" light in the lower left that will not turn off when I press the ESR button in the center console.

My independent mechanic cannot diagnose but admits he is not strong in this area. The codes he pulls are inconsistent. He also says that computer replacements are hard to find for this old of a car. My next step is to take to Fletcher Jones for a thorough review, but I fear a $5K to $10K recommendation to fix.

None of these seem to affect performance, shifting, or climate control (yet), but I'd like to address these faults before I get stranded. Can anyone offer recommendations on how to troubleshoot and/or source parts to remediate?

Thanks for any response!

What codes did he pull? Flashing Engine light mean the engine has severe misfire in one or more cylinders, and needs to be addressed asap as it damages the catalytic converter(s) if not fixed.

 

[SocalSam]

On a side note, my car was likely sold new by Fletcher Jones. It lived in Laguna Nigel for first 15 years.

 

[Daves Not Here]

On a side note, my car was likely sold new by Fletcher Jones. It lived in Laguna Nigel for first 15 years.

Thanks for the response! I found Fletcher Jones gave excellent service for my C43 and 420SEL company cars, but at a premium I can't justify for my $5K E320 personal car, so I'm trying to work with independents to save bucks. I'm embarrassed I don't have the codes, but my mechanic doesn't want to diagnose a problem he's not able to fix due to the lack of OEM parts for this year. I'm cautiously optimistic I don't have misfires due to how smoothly the engine runs but I could be wrong.

One thing I omitted was I once got an ABS alert that cleared when I restarted. I'll post back here once I have a diagnosis and codes from FJ.

 

[SocalSam]

I just got into Benz this year. Love the basic car but the rest is needlessly over complicated. My car will go three or four days with a clear instrument cluster which is a joy. And then some warning light or message will pop up. Or some issue occurs that comes and goes. I will give it some attention. Sometimes the problem stays fixed, sometimes it comes back. (And yes, my ABS and BAS lights come on after battery disconnect and when driving through puddles from our recent rain.) Anyways, I enjoy a good puzzle so chasing Mercedes gremlins does not bother me too much.

 

[Daves Not Here]

I just got into Benz this year. Love the basic car but the rest is needlessly over complicated. My car will go three or four days with a clear instrument cluster which is a joy. And then some warning light or message will pop up. Or some issue occurs that comes and goes. I will give it some attention. Sometimes the problem stays fixed, sometimes it comes back. (And yes, my ABS and BAS lights come on after battery disconnect and when driving through puddles from our recent rain.) Anyways, I enjoy a good puzzle so chasing Mercedes gremlins does not bother me too much.

Right? Yeah, battery change, no bueno. Also, I used to get frequent light bulb alerts, which I cleared by replacing the taillight assembly.

 

[mrboca]

Thanks for the response! I found Fletcher Jones gave excellent service for my C43 and 420SEL company cars, but at a premium I can't justify for my $5K E320 personal car, so I'm trying to work with independents to save bucks. I'm embarrassed I don't have the codes, but my mechanic doesn't want to diagnose a problem he's not able to fix due to the lack of OEM parts for this year. I'm cautiously optimistic I don't have misfires due to how smoothly the engine runs but I could be wrong.

One thing I omitted was I once got an ABS alert that cleared when I restarted. I'll post back here once I have a diagnosis and codes from FJ.

Why not get your own scanner ?

 

[Daves Not Here]

Why not get your own scanner ?

I probably should; however, my past use of scanners for my other cars (Subaru, Toyota, Honda) has been frustrating and inconclusive. My DIY skills and available time have declined over the years and I'm now inclined to pay a mechanic to do what I used to do myself.

That said, this situation is different because I fear the cost of a proactive replacement of computers by a dealer at full retail will cost more than the value of the car. And, I really love the car and don't want to (1) get stranded, (2) damage the engine, or (3) get rid of it if it's possible to repair it inexpensively. I can't think of a car I'd rather have. So that puts me back into amateur sleuthing mode.

 

[mrboca]

You spend about $100 in total, and get an Autel AP200 plus the 38-pin Autel adapter cable, and get the codes, and post them here. There are plenty of knowledgable people who can give you some direction in this forum.

If you think the engine computer is the issue, you can always get a used one, either have it programmed to your car, or get the complete matching used set (Electronic steering lock, Electronic Ignition Switch, Engine computer, and matching key(s)), and have them installed by your mechanic.

 

[SocalSam]

You spend about $100 in total, and get an Autel AP200 plus the 38-pin Autel adapter cable, and get the codes, and post them here. There are plenty of knowledgable people who can give you some direction in this forum.

If you think the engine computer is the issue, you can always get a used one, either have it programmed to your car, or get the complete matching used set (Electronic steering lock, Electronic Ignition Switch, Engine computer, and matching key(s)), and have them installed by your mechanic.

Complete set of ECM, ESL, EIS, and key would work almost everywhere else except Kalifornia. 2000 and newer cars are computer only and pull VIN from ECM. I think this would work in a 1999 car which is sniffer. I know of a local breaker who sells complete sets for $300.

 

[mrboca]

Complete set of ECM, ESL, EIS, and key would work almost everywhere else except Kalifornia. 2000 and newer cars are computer only and pull VIN from ECM. I think this would work in a 1999 car which is sniffer. I know of a local breaker who sells complete sets for $300.

why not in CA?

 

[SocalSam]

why not in CA?

Ooph, smog check computer reports results directly to DMV according to VIN pulled from ECM. Wrong VIN is a computer fail.

 

[mrboca]

Ooph, smog check computer reports results directly to DMV according to VIN pulled from ECM. Wrong VIN is a computer fail.

That is stupid. Considering that many scanners cannot pull the VIN from the W210 ECU. Mine does not.

 

[SocalSam]

That is stupid. Considering that many scanners cannot pull the VIN from the W210 ECU. Mine does not.

That means no tunes. What is even dumber is that many cars will pass computer test with rear cat delete.

 

[Daves Not Here]

You spend about $100 in total, and get an Autel AP200 plus the 38-pin Autel adapter cable, and get the codes, and post them here. There are plenty of knowledgable people who can give you some direction in this forum.

If you think the engine computer is the issue, you can always get a used one, either have it programmed to your car, or get the complete matching used set (Electronic steering lock, Electronic Ignition Switch, Engine computer, and matching key(s)), and have them installed by your mechanic.

Awesome - this is why I posted here, to get this kind of intel. I'll make it my weekend project to get this. If I drop the ball, I have a dealer appointment for next week to pull the codes and will post here.

 

[Daves Not Here]

Awesome - this is why I posted here, to get this kind of intel. I'll make it my weekend project to get this. If I drop the ball, I have a dealer appointment for next week to pull the codes and will post here.

Aaaand - I'll probably need to find an alternate mechanic - my current guy is honest and fair, but he's conservative in that he does not install refurbished or after-market parts. He's more of a fit for late-model work for which OEM parts are still available.

 

[Daves Not Here]

Complete set of ECM, ESL, EIS, and key would work almost everywhere else except Kalifornia. 2000 and newer cars are computer only and pull VIN from ECM. I think this would work in a 1999 car which is sniffer. I know of a local breaker who sells complete sets for $300.

Another reason I'm motivated to get this resolved. I'm thinking my next smog test is a Fail if I show up with Check Engine lights ablaze.

 

[SocalSam]

Another reason I'm motivated to get this resolved. I'm thinking my next smog test is a Fail if I show up with Check Engine lights ablaze.

Worse, smog fail shows up on carfax. Don't want that.

 

[Witek_M]

Another reason I'm motivated to get this resolved. I'm thinking my next smog test is a Fail if I show up with Check Engine lights ablaze.

Stop masturbating. Get a scanner.

MaxiAP AP200 | Autel

www.autel.com

Plus Benz-38 multiplexer.

For 38Pin Diagnostic Connector for Autel MS906/908 Benz Car diagnostic Tool NEW | eBay

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[SocalSam]

Stop masturbating. Get a scanner.

MaxiAP AP200 | Autel

www.autel.com

Plus Benz-38 multiplexer.

For 38Pin Diagnostic Connector for Autel MS906/908 Benz Car diagnostic Tool NEW | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for For 38Pin Diagnostic Connector for Autel MS906/908 Benz Car diagnostic Tool NEW at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Something about horses and water. Will the Autel access all Mercedes modules?

How about the Foxwell 530 here?

FOXWELL NT530 PRO MERCEDES BENZ DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER TOOL MULTIPLEXER 38 PIN CABLE 6950346635005 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for FOXWELL NT530 PRO MERCEDES BENZ DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER TOOL MULTIPLEXER 38 PIN CABLE at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

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