My engine light just came on this morning and I would like to know what the usual problem is for my model car.

I have 92000 miles on it, and even though the light is on it still drives smooth and quick as it did when I bought it in Nov 2011. PLEASE HELP! A mechanic said it might be the cam shaft.

 

it could be anything, from a bad and expensive sensor to a loose or defective gas cap. There is no way any of us on here can tell you what is the problem just by what you wrote. You need to get or borrow an OBDII reader and plug it in and read off the codes. Autozone in the US will do that for free for you or you can buy one for about $100. In today's highly electronic cars it is a worthwhile investment to have the scanner rather than paying the dollars each time for a mechanic to diagnose and if you like to work on cars and do some of the repairs, then this tool is a must in your toolbox

 

Get a STAR diagnostic done, or DIY it. No way to give you any intelligent information based on CEL light going on and no symptoms.

 

Get yourself a code reader cheap like this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/can-obd...enu-98568.html or most autoparts stores will scan for free. Tell us the code and we can help you out. All just useless speculation without the code. My bet is P0012, P0015, P0022, or P0025

 

It's obviously the flux capacitor.

 

Was that mechanic guessing? or was that based on diagnostic code he read? He might have meant "Camshaft Adjuster magnet/sensor", this corresponds to the codes John posted above.

 

I talked to Autozone they said it's illegal for auto parts to do it in the state of CA... But they sell the OBII, but also they said Mercedes has another part that shows where the car is malfunctioning.

Do I need to buy that extra part?

Sorry I'm a noob.

 

That "other part" they're talking about is STAR diagnostics. You really have to pay up and/or know exactly what you're doing to make that work. You'll need to buy yourself a cheap code reader.

 

Okay, so the OBII should be a good code reader/scanner?

 

The OBDII is the system.. On Board Diagnostics. The scanner brand names vary but they plug in and read OBDII codes. You need to get one.

 

would this one be a good pick up?
http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan...502149&sr=1-12

 

It could very well be the camshaft adjuster magnets. The original part that was installed in these cars was replaced by a newer part a couple years later. I believe there was actually a recall on it, not sure.

I replaced my cam magnets around 70-75k or so and it took care of CEL. No way to know for sure without the code, but if you know that you haven't replaced the magnets, then you might as well go ahead and do it. There are 4 of them total, about $20 a piece, and very very easy to replace yourself.

I'll find you a part # if you want and I can explain where they are and how to replace them.

 

It's illegal for auto parts to read your codes in CA???? WHY?? Maybe all the car dealers bribed the f***ing politicians so more people would take their cars in and pay out the a$$ for diagnostics.

 

That's what I said Bro jesus... Well Aamco does it free thank God

 

I'm going to buy an autoscanner today so hopefully I'll know why my light is on 3 months after I bought this damn car.

 

That scanner on Amazon looks ok, but better if you can go to a physical store, as MBs tend to be fickle in this area. So it would be better if you could immediately return it if it can't read the code(s).

Don't worry - you'll get your money's worth, since you'll be using it fairly frequently.

 

He said 2007, so.. oh wait.

 

I use an Innova 3130 and no issues with my MB using it, they are well made and easy to use


http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3130-Dia.../dp/B000KID31K

$127 for this is cheap, here in Toronto this unit goes for $299

and as Tommy said, yes you will be using often down the road as our cars love to throw CEL

 

I have an '07 c230 that's throwing the P0016 code. I think the magnets might need to be replaced. Where are they located? What's the part number?

EDIT
C230 Mulac helped out "Part # is A 272 051 01 77

You will need a total of 4. I bought mine from http://www.rmeuropean.com/

Let me know if you need some help replacing them. It's really easy. You just need to pop off the engine cover and there will be two on the right and two on the left. You'll need a torx rachet to unscrew them. Each one has 3 screws."