GMBALL

Hello,

tommorow I am selling my friends 2004 Mercedes C220CDI which I have been driving for a few days already. Everything was today until today.
I need to fix this, because tommorow I will be selling his car - he asked me to sell it to some buyer, because he is gone for a work trip.(everything is already set up).
What happened?

I was driving a car today, parked it, went to the shop, came back, started it, put it into D and pressed the pedal and CHECK YOUR ENGINE CONTROL APPEARED. I was like
Now what happens, everytime I start the car and if I floor it it does accelerate like it should, but everytime I floor it 2nd time, it does not downshift, it does not accelerate they way it should, it barely accelerates.....
I am totally shocked and have no idea what happened. Tommorow I am selling this car and now this....
It is an awful feeling. Please, can someone help me with that? Is it something serious? Maybe if I stop driving the car for a few hours everything will be better? Can I restart a CPU so the thing wont be there? I cant go to dealership or to servis.......I have no time, no money for that.....
This is the thing thats there and it is STEADY and does not go off.








IF anyone knows what this can be, please help. URGENT!

ScottW911

Sounds like your car has put itself into "limp" mode. This can be serious or minor. I believe the Blinking CEL is really bad while the steady CEL is still drivable.

My suggestion, take it in. The problem might only get more expensive if you don't.

GMBALL

Oh sorry for my language skills. It IS NOT blinking CEL, it is STEADY. Can I put it away somehow?

mleskovar

Gas cap on tight? That's the easy guess. All the other guesses besides the obvious loose wires or vacuum leaks require parts. Do you have auto parts stores where you live that will do an OBDII check for free? Why are you worried, it's not like it's your fault it broke.

GMBALL

Well, dont know of any auto parts stores unfortunately......and if there are any, wont do it for free definetely.....I am worried, because I was driving the car and it happened while I was having it, thats pretty much enough for me...
Well, can I do anything by myself wihouth having to spend money? .........can I switch off "limp home mode"??
I guess I am confused.....

mleskovar

Yes, it can be 'switched off' but if the failure causing the CEL is solid then it will come back. A good OBDII tester can clear the code(s) causing the CEL. Still don't see why you feel responsible. If anything you should be upset with your friend for putting you in this position.

MB-BOB

Here in the states, one can take the car to Autozone or Pep Boys and have the OBDII check, as noted. In Europe is another story.

You won't be able to reset the light properly until this check is run and the root problem is solved. I know you were driving the car, but it's not your fault as this light can come on at any time. I would postpone brokering the car for your friend (I don't know about Europe but you can't really sell the car in that condition... The owner may be selling to a friend, and you don't want to disguise a problem that could cost him a friendship, or get him sued later). Instead, call the owner to tell him of the bad news with HIS car. Then park it until he returns so that he can handle the problem.

GMBALL

Okay. Now it went off. I cant be confused more than now. It just went off. Thank you guys for your answers! I am hoping it wont come on again. If it does, I will probably talk to my friend.....Thanks again!

mleskovar

The CEL responds to a series of checks on the engine. If one of the checks is outside the parameters set for that check the light is activated. If the condition returns to normal the light can go off. Most of the CEL conditions are associated with emission controls (and indirectly performance). Some CEL conditions take multiple on/off cycling of the engine to clear after the condition is corrected. Don't worry, be happy, the light is out.

GMBALL

Thanks I just hope it wont come again.

RUBYMARDIONO

ONE THING I CAN REMIND YOU IS : T E M P E R A T U R E. See in the picture you put, it shows 50 C. This might cause the ECU malfunctioned.

GMBALL

Yeah, I've gone through all of topics here and some guys said that the temperature might actually cause this. Well, lets hope it was because of that....

Moviela

Folks, no where in Europe is it 50 degrees today. The display says 5.0 degrees C, closer to 40 F. I doubt that temperature is the problem.

You need to find what codes caused the CEL to come on. It may be very simple. Many shops will connect a scanner for 50 Euro's or less. Warranties in Europe tend to be two years, but your problem might be covered by goodwill on the part of Mercedes.

ScottW911

Nice catch. That decimal point does make quite a difference. 122 degrees F vs. 41 degrees F. Obviously, temps were not the issue here.

XZACM102

My guess is that this is caused by failed mass air flow sensor. I had the same problem on two W203 cars, very common issue indeed.
Cost to replace it in Europe around 500 EUR :-(

GMBALL

Thanks! Nice to see someone else from Prague......now there are 2 of us from Czech.
Anyways, car is sold and I havent received any call yet.........

yeuchau

u have no other choice other than take it to dealer

XZACM102

Zdravim ! It's always good to see here more MB czech fans :-)