Check Engine Light on my 98 C230
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
If you want reliability, Audi is definately the wrong way to go. To me Japan is the new Germany of reliability. Just look in Consumer Reports. Japanese cars win everything, well except Nissan products.
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 240
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From: NJ
2002 C320
Sure they do..they come in all varieties..like WRX, EVO, CRV, MDX, Pilot, etc.. 
Although I love the solid feel of german cars, the upkeep is just too much...that why I leased my C320 (and it works as a company expense)...at least at the end of my lease I can just give it back to MB...
I can't believe I gave my SLK back to MB after only 18 months..I took it to the dealer 14 times during that time...and 6 times was because my alarm kept going off by itself (which was never resolved).
Although I love the solid feel of german cars, the upkeep is just too much...that why I leased my C320 (and it works as a company expense)...at least at the end of my lease I can just give it back to MB...
I can't believe I gave my SLK back to MB after only 18 months..I took it to the dealer 14 times during that time...and 6 times was because my alarm kept going off by itself (which was never resolved).
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Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Repost from the W202 forum:
Hmm...I ask myself why Keep my C36 all the time. Things that have gone wrong so far:
1) MAS <---- $750 CND
2) Head Gasket <---- warranty
3) Ball joints X3 times <----warranty
4) Catalytic Converter (weld seams coming apart) <----warranty (this part costs like $3500 CND along)
5) Steering Dampner <---- $50 CAD
6) Warped Cylinder Head <----this one hurt. $4500 CND to fix
There's a few more i can't remember right now
Things that are going wrong right now:
1) Ball Joints (again)
2) Tie rod ends
3) Blower motor
4) Faulty/loose wiring that make the lights on the driver side of the car go on and off when I hit bumps
5) sticky shift stick
6) Engine and tranny mounts
Things i'm waiting for to go wrong: (based on others with a w202)
1) Engine wiring harness (common problem cause MB used some biodegrable insulation on them wires)
2) Flex disc
So far I have had huge problems with my car but why do I stil keep it?
Only reason is that I paid so much for it that it's not worth it to sell it back now.
BTW I have 111,000 KM on my car.
Hmm...I ask myself why Keep my C36 all the time. Things that have gone wrong so far:
1) MAS <---- $750 CND
2) Head Gasket <---- warranty
3) Ball joints X3 times <----warranty
4) Catalytic Converter (weld seams coming apart) <----warranty (this part costs like $3500 CND along)
5) Steering Dampner <---- $50 CAD
6) Warped Cylinder Head <----this one hurt. $4500 CND to fix
There's a few more i can't remember right now
Things that are going wrong right now:
1) Ball Joints (again)
2) Tie rod ends
3) Blower motor
4) Faulty/loose wiring that make the lights on the driver side of the car go on and off when I hit bumps
5) sticky shift stick
6) Engine and tranny mounts
Things i'm waiting for to go wrong: (based on others with a w202)
1) Engine wiring harness (common problem cause MB used some biodegrable insulation on them wires)
2) Flex disc
So far I have had huge problems with my car but why do I stil keep it?
Only reason is that I paid so much for it that it's not worth it to sell it back now.
BTW I have 111,000 KM on my car.
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
Man that is horrible!!!!!!!
I can tell you right now that the wiring harness applies to the 93-95 cars only. So you are in the clear. A little good news finally.
I would get rid of the damn thing. But I've also read posts that said once those problems were taken care of the car drives out well.
Mine has 64k on it and has the head gasket replaced. I know I'll have to do the wiring harness sometime soon. I'll probably do it in the next year so I don't have other things go out when it does.
Mine still drives nice, and I'm aware of the problems that it has. I'm crossing my fingers for sure. I do lots of work myself and have a trusted indy to do work on the stuff I can't. So I think that helps. It seems that so many people get realy jipped from the dealers when these problems arise.
I'm sorry to hear that you have had all these problems.
I feel stupid for getting rid of my 1990 190e 2.6 to get a "nicer" Benz. That car was bulletproof and the only problems it gave me was regular wear and tear.
I can tell you right now that the wiring harness applies to the 93-95 cars only. So you are in the clear. A little good news finally.
I would get rid of the damn thing. But I've also read posts that said once those problems were taken care of the car drives out well.
Mine has 64k on it and has the head gasket replaced. I know I'll have to do the wiring harness sometime soon. I'll probably do it in the next year so I don't have other things go out when it does.
Mine still drives nice, and I'm aware of the problems that it has. I'm crossing my fingers for sure. I do lots of work myself and have a trusted indy to do work on the stuff I can't. So I think that helps. It seems that so many people get realy jipped from the dealers when these problems arise.
I'm sorry to hear that you have had all these problems.
I feel stupid for getting rid of my 1990 190e 2.6 to get a "nicer" Benz. That car was bulletproof and the only problems it gave me was regular wear and tear.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
1998 C230
I'm looking into getting a Lexus GS300 as my next car. Looks like a great car aesthetically speaking and on paper too. 0-60 its faster then the C by 2 sec and they both weigh the same too. Lots of nice features, I rode in one awhile back, not sure whos it was heh. anyone know how reliable the car is?
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Check engine light
I have been dealing with the 'check engine' problem for the past 1 1/2 years! I've taken my 1997 C230 into the shop and they have tried everything. Finally, I did two things that have alleviated my frustration. 1) I went and bought a can of BG 44K and put the can in when filling up with gas, and 2) I went to my local auto supply store and bought an OBD II code reader/ scanner, for about $60.00. Whenever the light comes on, plug the scanner in, right under the steering column there is a small trap door ( about 3" wide ), open that and there is a computer port. Press the 'link' button on the scanner and it gives you a code. The code that keeps coming up on mine is P 0170. It says ' fuel trim malfunction'. All I do is press the 'clear' button, and it turns off the check engine light. The car runs fine, and I've heard that the code I'm getting essentially means nothing. The OBD scanner comes with a book which lists the codes, so that is helpful. Instead of wasting your time unhooking the battery, buy this simple tool, and save yourself a lot of frustration! AJB
