C220 in limp-mode (Help Needed)
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W203 CDI 2002
C220 in limp-mode (Help Needed)
Hello.
I own a C220 CDI W203 tipronic that I bought with heavily damaged front.
I fixed and replaced everything that was broken. However there are 3 errors that I can’t get rid of:
- Yellow coil light stays on.
-Coolant level error
-Limp-mode when driving fast
First off all the most irritating one : Limp mode
When driving on the highway for a minute, with a speed above 140 Km/h ,and using the last gear (5th) the car goes in to limp mode.
When driving fast using tip-tronic to stay in 4th gear I can drive up to 180 Km/h before it feels like the car shifts in to 5th (D automatic) and goes in to limp mode.
The strange thing is, that when I manually keep driving fast (140 Km/h or faster) in 4th gear and shift in to 5th (D automatic) it goes in to limp mode within seconds. However when I drive fast for 5 minutes and then shift it in 5th (D automatic) it does not go in to limp mode for a long time.
When driving slow (below 120 Km/h) the car almost never goes limp.
I already changed the MAF, with no luck. No CEL (Check Engine Light)
Problem 2: Yellow coil light stays on. All 4 coils are new and working. The relay is new to.
Problem 3: Cooling fluid level error shows up in dash. Cooling fan does not turn. Level is fine.
Does anyone have any pointers for me ?
Thanks in advanced.
I own a C220 CDI W203 tipronic that I bought with heavily damaged front.
I fixed and replaced everything that was broken. However there are 3 errors that I can’t get rid of:
- Yellow coil light stays on.
-Coolant level error
-Limp-mode when driving fast
First off all the most irritating one : Limp mode
When driving on the highway for a minute, with a speed above 140 Km/h ,and using the last gear (5th) the car goes in to limp mode.
When driving fast using tip-tronic to stay in 4th gear I can drive up to 180 Km/h before it feels like the car shifts in to 5th (D automatic) and goes in to limp mode.
The strange thing is, that when I manually keep driving fast (140 Km/h or faster) in 4th gear and shift in to 5th (D automatic) it goes in to limp mode within seconds. However when I drive fast for 5 minutes and then shift it in 5th (D automatic) it does not go in to limp mode for a long time.
When driving slow (below 120 Km/h) the car almost never goes limp.
I already changed the MAF, with no luck. No CEL (Check Engine Light)
Problem 2: Yellow coil light stays on. All 4 coils are new and working. The relay is new to.
Problem 3: Cooling fluid level error shows up in dash. Cooling fan does not turn. Level is fine.
Does anyone have any pointers for me ?
Thanks in advanced.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Where are you? - complete your profile
When you say coil - do you mean the glow plugs????
Fix the fan - that may be causing the limp home engagement.
There is not a lot of diesel experience on this forum but let's have a bash with the basics
When you say coil - do you mean the glow plugs????
Fix the fan - that may be causing the limp home engagement.
There is not a lot of diesel experience on this forum but let's have a bash with the basics
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Dec 26, 2008 at 04:04 PM.
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W203 CDI 2002
I live in the Netherlands.
Correct, with coils I meant the glow plugs.
I think there's a break in one of the wires going to the glow plugs and fan.
Unfortunately, I don’t know where to begin looking. I can't find a wiring diagram.
As for the limp-mode. It only happens when it automatically shifts in to 5th gear. Could it be a sensor in the gearbox ? Or maybe there is not enough oil in the gearbox ?
Correct, with coils I meant the glow plugs.
I think there's a break in one of the wires going to the glow plugs and fan.
Unfortunately, I don’t know where to begin looking. I can't find a wiring diagram.
As for the limp-mode. It only happens when it automatically shifts in to 5th gear. Could it be a sensor in the gearbox ? Or maybe there is not enough oil in the gearbox ?
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Cars that have been in accidents can be a pain. I doubt that someone on this forum has a wiring diagram because they don't sell diesels in America. Go talk nicely to your dealer & ask for a copy of the diagram from the Master WS Manual
The gearbox can do funny things with wrong oil level - too high or too low. Otherwise likely the TCU or the valve body.
Just a thought - what wheels & tyres are you running. If the rolling circumference of back & front tyres is more than about 2% out from standard the TCU can act up.
The gearbox can do funny things with wrong oil level - too high or too low. Otherwise likely the TCU or the valve body.
Just a thought - what wheels & tyres are you running. If the rolling circumference of back & front tyres is more than about 2% out from standard the TCU can act up.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Dec 27, 2008 at 03:58 AM.
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W203 CDI 2002
I put new tires under the car: 205/ 55 R16
They should be the right size
When I got the car, it had no gearbox fluid in it.
So I filled it via the tube that is used to measure the level.
I filled it to the max until it started leaking out.
Could that be the problem.
(I bought the fluid from the dealer)
They should be the right size
When I got the car, it had no gearbox fluid in it.
So I filled it via the tube that is used to measure the level.
I filled it to the max until it started leaking out.
Could that be the problem.
(I bought the fluid from the dealer)
Last edited by flup; Dec 28, 2008 at 02:25 AM.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I put new tires under the car: 205/ 55 R16
They should be the right size
When I got the car, it had no gearbox fluid in it.
So I filled it via the tube that is used to measure the level.
I filled it to the max until it started leaking out.
Could that be the problem.
(I bought the fluid from the dealer)
They should be the right size
When I got the car, it had no gearbox fluid in it.
So I filled it via the tube that is used to measure the level.
I filled it to the max until it started leaking out.
Could that be the problem.
(I bought the fluid from the dealer)
Please explain how you filled the transmission. From underneath the car with a filling tube through the transmission sump plug? (7G transmission method) or down the tube at the rear of the engine from the top that is used for the service dipstick? If you filled it from the top that is your problem, It's hopelessly overfull. Go and buy a service dipstick or go to the dealer & use his service dipstick. Also be very careful of level vs temperature. You can damage the transmission running it overfull!!
See pic - some cars have a black sealed cap over the transmission tube. Be very careful - some cars have the engine dipstick tube very close to the transmission tube. Make sure you don't put transmission fluid down the engine dipstick tube. I don't know where the diesel engine dipstick is.
Sorry - picture is of a V6 petrol - I have no diesel pics. I'm only using this pic for general location -That red cap is where the engine dipstick would go. You need the engine cover off on a petrol car to expose the transmission tube. See pic of transmission tube
Transmission tube & sealed cap
Transmission dipstick
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Dec 28, 2008 at 10:25 AM.
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Thread Starter
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W203 CDI 2002
Thank you for the advice.
I used the tube near the engine to fill it till it spilled out from the bottom
.
Tomorrow I'll check if the dealer has time to check out the level.
Incase they don't have time : Do you know the measurements of the levels on the MB-ATF stick ? That way I can check it myself. They don't sell the tool here.
I'll keep you up tp date
I used the tube near the engine to fill it till it spilled out from the bottom
.Tomorrow I'll check if the dealer has time to check out the level.
Incase they don't have time : Do you know the measurements of the levels on the MB-ATF stick ? That way I can check it myself. They don't sell the tool here.
I'll keep you up tp date
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
You can't check the level without a service dipstick & a thermometer to tell you the oil temperature. An Infrared thermometer will do.
Best way to get the extra oil out is to suck it out. Draining from below is a messy affair.
Best way to get the extra oil out is to suck it out. Draining from below is a messy affair.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
I just re read you reply. Does your car have a transmission dipstick? or just the tube??? 2002 transmissions should not have a dipstick - but as your car is diesel - maybe Benz supply a dipstick in Europe.
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W203 CDI 2002
Unfortunately I don’t have a dip-stick.
I was going to stick in a long wire , until it hits the bottom of the pan and measure the height.
80 degrees is no problem. I just let the engine run until the digital temp. gage reaches 80.
The ATF should then be about the same temp.
I was going to stick in a long wire , until it hits the bottom of the pan and measure the height.
80 degrees is no problem. I just let the engine run until the digital temp. gage reaches 80.
The ATF should then be about the same temp.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Recommend you try to use your dealer's service dipstick or find something that you can calibrate from his dipstick.
