Check engine light
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 106
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From: California
CLK320
Check engine light
My wife has a 1999 C280. Recently the check engine light has been going on for few days and off for few days.
I have checked the gas cap and it seems like the check engine light is not related to the gas cap.
The car runs normally without any problems.
I have made several appointments for service, but every time when I get there, the check engine light would be off.
Has anyone experience this problem?
I have checked the gas cap and it seems like the check engine light is not related to the gas cap.
The car runs normally without any problems.
I have made several appointments for service, but every time when I get there, the check engine light would be off.
Has anyone experience this problem?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
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From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
Other people in California have been complaining that the check engine light comes on with the type of gas they use. There is an extra chemical in you gas that causes this. I don't think it hurts anything but it is just annoying. Someone said that 76 gas doesn't mess with the check engine light because they use a different additive or something. When she tanks up next time see if the light comes on till it hits 3/4 of a tank. If it goes off after that, that's probably all it is.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 106
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From: California
CLK320
Thanks, DougandhisC280.
Now that you mention it, I remember the check engine light came on after I filled the tank at a small gas station that I have never used before.
The duration of the check engine light shortens or disappears with each subsequent filling of the gas tank.
I just filled the tank yesterday and the check engine light is off. I hope it stays off.
Now that you mention it, I remember the check engine light came on after I filled the tank at a small gas station that I have never used before.
The duration of the check engine light shortens or disappears with each subsequent filling of the gas tank.
I just filled the tank yesterday and the check engine light is off. I hope it stays off.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Maryland
1998 C230
pray that it is only bad fuel...
I had a similar prob with my check engine light about a year ago and spent well over 600 bucks to fix.
always check fuel cap, if check engine light comes on.
its probably the easiest and usually the most common reason why it comes on. the pressure cap is very sensitive and even the slightest discrepancy in how tight/untight the cap is screwed on can cause the light to come on. you can tell if the cap is screwed on properly if the lil handle thing locks in place, theres an actual "click" sound. dont overtighten past the "click".
light may not go away right away after you fix fuel cap.
in the manual it says it might need 3 start ups before the computer rechecks everything.
one time i had my girl driving my car and she filled it up for the first time at some gas station... aparently after that the check engine light was on and i noticed the gas cap didnt "click" in place. after correcting it and driving on the free way, the light went away and never came back on again.
I had a similar prob with my check engine light about a year ago and spent well over 600 bucks to fix.
always check fuel cap, if check engine light comes on.
its probably the easiest and usually the most common reason why it comes on. the pressure cap is very sensitive and even the slightest discrepancy in how tight/untight the cap is screwed on can cause the light to come on. you can tell if the cap is screwed on properly if the lil handle thing locks in place, theres an actual "click" sound. dont overtighten past the "click".
light may not go away right away after you fix fuel cap.
in the manual it says it might need 3 start ups before the computer rechecks everything.
one time i had my girl driving my car and she filled it up for the first time at some gas station... aparently after that the check engine light was on and i noticed the gas cap didnt "click" in place. after correcting it and driving on the free way, the light went away and never came back on again.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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If the gas cap thing doesn't work. Your best bet is to get the codes for the light. You don't want to spend money where it is not needed cause parts are expensive.
BTW could it be the MAS? My light turned on and off weeks at a time till I pulled the code and changed the MAS.
BTW could it be the MAS? My light turned on and off weeks at a time till I pulled the code and changed the MAS.
