djdoubleg413

hey i noticed there are some people from the boston area on this forum. i am from lowell if you are familiar with the area. my check engine light is on and its $100+ at the dealership just to run the code. i was wondering if you knew of anywhere around here that would do it cheaper? its a 95 280 thanks

GDawgC220

hey there,

dealer labor rates are usually $90-$100 / hour. If you can find a independent, it would probably be better. I know that Autozone's use to read codes for free and apparently some still do...maybe try your local autozone near Lowell.

eddieo45

my mechanic is in Stoneham; he ran my codes for me. search the forum for CEL or MAF; it seems that 90+% of CEL probs are loose gas cap or bad MAF (I just bought used MAF on ebay; my 280 has 69K; deales wants $300+ just for MAF part). Welcome to the forum!

GDawgC220

also another common CEL are the O2 sensors...those seem to go at one point or another from age...I think they're good for about 60k miles or so...

eddieo45

...murphy's law: I paid for the MAF, waiting for it to arrive, and the CEL went out! (can't hurt to have an "extra" MAF for $74) Car seems to run slightly hot as well, just a tad over the 180 midpoint on the temp guage. A/C was a little warm so I added a couple of pounds of refrigerant, but it still runs slightly hot. Do you know where the O2 sensors are?

mr cahones

hey man im from lowell also im also having check engine light troubles on my 98 c230 if ud like email me at gtjionas@hotmail.com id be willing to give u a hand and hopefully exxhange some ideas well best of luck

eddieo45

how's your CEL, cahones? still on?

mr cahones

yep the CEL is still on shes reading the same p0170 i keep getting the same code and she hasnt changed im gonna give an attempt a tcleaning the MAF if that dosnt work i guess ill have to give in and take her to a mechanic

eddieo45

check out the comments from blackmercedes and Fathead in this related thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...237#post820237

I'm still hesitant to bend over at the stealership, but it's probably inevitable. I did buy a MAF/AMM on ebay and when installed, my car ran worse. I assumed that proved 2 things: the ebay MAF was bad and my MAF must be okay, but what do I know? If blackmercedes is right, maybe it's the fuel pressure regulator....I tend to agree with his lack of faith in cleaning the MAF.

mr cahones

After about a month of driving with the CEL on it miraculously disappeared yesterday while i was driving. The only thing that i can think of that affected the car was that i gave her a full tank of gas other than that i didnt touch anything hopefully the damned light will stay off. if anyone has any ideas on why the light just shut off id like to hear them. Hopefully my luck hold out