McBrew

For those of you whomissed my intro thread, I just purchased a single-owner '98 E320 4matic wagon. It just passed MD inspection, so I am just about ready to get a title and tags for it.

I used my father's garage (heated, with lift) to get a few things done. I changed the oil to RedLine 5w40 full synthetic (PAO ester-based) and Bosch filter, changed the transmission fluid and filter using RedLine D4 full synthetic ATF and a Mann filter (it appears to have never been done in 158,000 miles). I also changed the cabin filter (also looked like it had never been changed) and the engine air filter. Mann for the engine, Micronair for the cabin.

I also cleaned the MAF and did a transmission memory reset.

This car drives beautifully, but has a couple of electrical hiccups. A lot of it has to do with the dome lights. They comeon when most doors are opened, but they remain on unless I press the "door" button up on the console, then they go off and stay off. If I get in and start the car in "door" mode, they come on and stay on until I manually shut off the front and rear dome lights.

I think some of the problem may be in the rear hatch, which might be sending an "open door" signal all of the time. The central door lock button will unlock the doors, but will not lock them. The key fob will lock all the doors, though. I'm hoping I don't need a new PSE, and that maybe it's just wiring or a door switch. I won't be able to work on it for a few days, so maybe some more research will turn up some leads.

VMAX7

I love wagons, post pics!

McBrew

VMAX7

McBrew

Finally got tags and brought the car home. I took it to a manual car wash on my lunch break. Here's a shot I took as I was leaving work.

amok55amg

looks fine – congratulation on your new ride !

is it an Elegance ? also – looks like it’s not fully up in the rear compared to the front … or am I mistaken?

McBrew

I'm not sure if it is an Elegance... how would I know?

As far as the rear, I don't know that either. This is my first Benz with leveling rear. All I know is it recently has a new pump installed by the PO.

I've got other issues... the rear hatch is not original to the car. It has been painted (crappy job) and is rusting. I have plans to restore it... just waiting on my body guy to have some free time.

Also, it seems like it "thinks" there is a door open. I cannot lock with the interior button, but I can unlock with it. It will lock AND unlock with the remote. The "door" setting on the dome lights will never turn off, as if a door is still open. The hatch will not lock, but I'm pretty sure that's a vacuum issue (you can hear it hissing inside the door). I tried to jump the wires that I think are the door switch wires in the hatch, and that didn't help anything.

I can't reset the service reminder (I think because it thinks a door is open).

Is there any way to tell which door it thinks is open? There doesn't seem to be a display like most modern cars. I need a wiring diagram.

amok55amg

check all the doors ….. there shall be a plastic cover with a little screw in the door – it covers the lock in the door …. it goes and meet the button in the panel that have to be activated for the car to think the doors are closed – a simple but little thing …….. I missed it with mine … not mistaken but it’s the head of the little screw that meets the button pin ….

the service reminder can be a pain but you find the way on YouTube … just keep trying …… my girlfriends just went through after eight attempts and mine – I had to use my Diagnostic ….. it has nothing to do with the doors …..

McBrew

I did some wet sanding and PlastX polishing on the headlights, followed by a protective clear coat.

renault12ts

The US market did not have Elegance and AG designations. The grille is an AG one...but that was standard on all models in the US.

illest

what clear coat did you use on the lights? they look good.

McBrew

I wasn't going to admit it, but I used Wipe-New.

McBrew

You were on the right track with my door problem. Even though I replaced the driver's door switch with a NEW one from the dealership, it still wasn't being pushed in all the way by the door. I taped a dime on the door where it meets the switch (as recommended by someone over at BenzWorld), and everything started working!

Also, it DID enable me to reset the service reminder. I could NOT get it reset with the door open (or thinking it was open). I tried MANY times. The first time I tried it with the door switch working, ir reset perfectly.

amok55amg

yes of curse - you have to have all doors closed for resetting and when the car thought there was a door open, then you could not reset ....... good to see you figured it out ..... nice job on the headlights - I will do that too on my car