C-Class (W202) 1995-2000: C 200 CDI, C 220 CDI, C 270 CDI, C 180, C 200 K,C 230 K, C 220, C230, C 280

Ive got huge problems with this car.

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Old 02-15-2004, 05:53 PM
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Ive got huge problems with this car.

i have a 95 c280 and i absolutely hate it now. Everytime i think we get it fixed, something else has to break down. My current problem now is that it feels like there isnt enough power coming out of the car. This in turn leads the car to stall at a red light, or if it doesnt stall, it kind of lunges back and forth. I added STP complete with a full tank of gas and that didnt fix it. Anyone know of what could be wrong?
Old 02-15-2004, 06:15 PM
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02 W163, 84 W123, 03 E39, 98 E39
Did your Check Engine Light (CEL) turn on?

There are any number of possible problems, from a clogged fuel filter to a computer problem. If the CEL came on, you may be in limp home mode, where the computer shuts down, and you literaly drive on two or three cylinders. The computer usually re-sets after you shut off the car, unless the computer it self is at fault. Our cars have any number of sensors, monitoring various things like the Oxygen sensors or the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. If one of these sensors sends a major fault to the computer the computer shuts down and you go into limp home mode with only a few cylindars working.

If no CEL, then it seems like it may be a fuel delivery problem.

Others with more technical experience may have other thoughts.

Good luck.

Last edited by sph17; 02-15-2004 at 09:00 PM.
Old 02-15-2004, 08:22 PM
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
If it's kind of lunging forward and stuff, it could be the MAS (mass airflow sensor). That is a common thing to go.

How many miles are on the car?

What have you had fixed recently...that may help us determine what could be going wrong.

On another note of adding additives to the car...it can be more harmful to MB engines than not adding it. If you take a min to search up additives, you'll see why.

Anyhow, let us know what you had fixed and stuff then we can try and figure out more stuff
Old 02-15-2004, 10:22 PM
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1997 C280 Automatic
I know how you feel...

Man, I know how you feel. I have a '97 c280 myself and I'm going through the same thing right now.

I fix one thing, and it seems like something else breaks!! It is getting real annoying, but I've grown to fall in love with the car and would hate to be rid of it. But it is starting to take it's toll.

I am having a similar problem as you right now. My mechanic tells me that it is now a valve part that needs fixing/replacement.

As far as the limp mode, I've learned only recently in my post from today that it may be possible to clear out the limp mode by taking the battery off-line.

Good luck to you.
Old 02-15-2004, 11:11 PM
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Hey guys,

I figured out what was wrong. NEW SPARK PLUGS!!! There is about 96000 miles on it and we decided to just mess around with spark plugs. Wow, were those things fried!!! I got a new FX air filter plus new spark plugs, and this thing is screaming when i floor it, it's awesome! Thanks guys for your help and good luck with your 97 benz bro.

Another question?
Anyone know a good price for a O2 sensor? The one that is closer to the hood, not behind the convert?
Old 02-15-2004, 11:57 PM
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87 190E 2.6/1995 M3
you should also consider changing the ignition wires, that should make the 6cyl run ever smoother...
Old 02-23-2004, 08:56 AM
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C280
Originally posted by vas2vas
you should also consider changing the ignition wires, that should make the 6cyl run ever smoother...
Remember that on an E280 with the M104 engine you do not have standard ignition wires......the ignition wires on an m104 engine also incorporate coil packs and are not cheap to replace. Saying that they do not often fail, so I would I would save the cash.
Old 02-23-2004, 12:15 PM
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87 190E 2.6/1995 M3
Originally posted by mjtray
Remember that on an E280 with the M104 engine you do not have standard ignition wires......the ignition wires on an m104 engine also incorporate coil packs and are not cheap to replace. Saying that they do not often fail, so I would I would save the cash.
having dissasembled the ignition assembly, I can definately tell you that it's not necessary to change ignition coils in order to change ignition wires in an m104 engine.... ignition wires can and do fail, usually after 100k miles, and can lead to misfires.... changing ignition coils is also recommended at 100k mile... complete bosch wire sets are sold separately, and cost about $80 USD.... and the 3 coils (sold individually) cost $54USD each... this was one of the cheapest fixes compared to other maintenance issues (eg MAS or head gasket), and the overwelming improvement in engine performance gives you the highest value for money, and is worth every penny....
Old 02-23-2004, 02:01 PM
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Originally posted by vas2vas
having dissasembled the ignition assembly, I can definately tell you that it's not necessary to change ignition coils in order to change ignition wires in an m104 engine.... ignition wires can and do fail, usually after 100k miles, and can lead to misfires.... changing ignition coils is also recommended at 100k mile... complete bosch wire sets are sold separately, and cost about $80 USD.... and the 3 coils (sold individually) cost $54USD each... this was one of the cheapest fixes compared to other maintenance issues (eg MAS or head gasket), and the overwelming improvement in engine performance gives you the highest value for money, and is worth every penny....
Is it hard to change the coils?
Old 02-23-2004, 02:10 PM
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87 190E 2.6/1995 M3
Originally posted by GDawgC220
Is it hard to change the coils?
nope... they come off easy when you take the top cover off. the cover bolts are what is keeping them in place, there are no other screws holding the coils in place... unplug the coil from the car's wire harness and then firmly pull them (to disconnect them from the plugs), and that's it...

in your case you have only 2 coils
Old 02-23-2004, 02:19 PM
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Originally posted by vas2vas
nope... they come off easy when you take the top cover off. the cover bolts are what is keeping them in place, there are no other screws holding the coils in place... unplug the coil from the car's wire harness and then firmly pull them (to disconnect them from the plugs), and that's it...

in your case you have only 2 coils
where would you go about changing them? where are they located? in the ignition assembly?
Old 02-23-2004, 02:47 PM
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87 190E 2.6/1995 M3
Originally posted by GDawgC220
where would you go about changing them? where are they located? in the ignition assembly?
they're on the top of the cylinder head where the spark plugs are, you take the intake pipe off, then the top cover off and voila....

check out this article
http://www.mercedesshop.com/wire_har...20_harness.htm
your engine is very similarly setup....

Last edited by vas2vas; 02-23-2004 at 02:50 PM.
Old 02-23-2004, 03:23 PM
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are the Bosch ones the best plug wires? or are there other reputable brands?
Old 02-24-2004, 10:02 AM
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red bicycle
My car needs its 90K service. We usually bring it to the dealership, but we were quoted a much better price (several hundred dollars less) at a reputable independent Mercedes-Benz garage.

99% of the time my car runs fine, but every now and then the cars stalls while in reverse and sometimes starts rough. While the garage told us its was not necessary to do so right now, he said we could replace the ignition coils, but quoted us something around $300.

Related question: what does the 90K service cover?
Old 02-24-2004, 03:46 PM
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C280
Originally posted by vas2vas
having dissasembled the ignition assembly, I can definately tell you that it's not necessary to change ignition coils in order to change ignition wires in an m104 engine.... ignition wires can and do fail, usually after 100k miles, and can lead to misfires.... changing ignition coils is also recommended at 100k mile... complete bosch wire sets are sold separately, and cost about $80 USD.... and the 3 coils (sold individually) cost $54USD each... this was one of the cheapest fixes compared to other maintenance issues (eg MAS or head gasket), and the overwelming improvement in engine performance gives you the highest value for money, and is worth every penny....
Fair point...........My mistake!:o

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