Help me save this car
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
C230 coupe
Help me save this car
I've had about enough, and my wife has definitely had enough ("Give this thing to the charity auction!") I'm out of ideas, and could use some advice.
Here's the deal: For some time I've had the issue on occasion where the throttle is disconnected from the engine, and you get a wavering idle. If I do the throttle reset procedure (several times), it comes back, and is fine for a few weeks. But lately it's been getting frequent. I've been getting p0120 accelerator codes from my OBD reader, and a couple of other codes from the MBII that according to other posts are related to the throttle body going bad.
I don't usually throw parts at a problem, but I did this time. I bought a new accelerator pedal and throttle body and installed them.
Right before I did this, I got a full tank of fuel from the nasty looking local convenience store down the street (I was on E and a little desperate). I doubt they sell much premium for C230 sports coupes.
After changing the parts: I started the car, and I'm now getting misfires across the board, still getting the accelerator pedal code, and NOW getting a P0101 TB code out of range.
So I swapped the old TB back in. No change. I thought maybe I got junk in the gas, and I changed out the fuel filter. No change.
The only thing I could do to "go back" to where I was before, would be to swap back to the old accelerator pedal.
If it was just misfires I'd suspect the fuel, but with the other issues I doubt it.
I've also tried reseating/cleaning the TB and ECU contacts
Something else is going on.
I'm done spending money on this car; I just got done spending $$ on the cooling fan. Any help appreciated.
Here's the deal: For some time I've had the issue on occasion where the throttle is disconnected from the engine, and you get a wavering idle. If I do the throttle reset procedure (several times), it comes back, and is fine for a few weeks. But lately it's been getting frequent. I've been getting p0120 accelerator codes from my OBD reader, and a couple of other codes from the MBII that according to other posts are related to the throttle body going bad.
I don't usually throw parts at a problem, but I did this time. I bought a new accelerator pedal and throttle body and installed them.
Right before I did this, I got a full tank of fuel from the nasty looking local convenience store down the street (I was on E and a little desperate). I doubt they sell much premium for C230 sports coupes.
After changing the parts: I started the car, and I'm now getting misfires across the board, still getting the accelerator pedal code, and NOW getting a P0101 TB code out of range.
So I swapped the old TB back in. No change. I thought maybe I got junk in the gas, and I changed out the fuel filter. No change.
The only thing I could do to "go back" to where I was before, would be to swap back to the old accelerator pedal.
If it was just misfires I'd suspect the fuel, but with the other issues I doubt it.
I've also tried reseating/cleaning the TB and ECU contacts
Something else is going on.
I'm done spending money on this car; I just got done spending $$ on the cooling fan. Any help appreciated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 236
From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
P0101 indicates a problem with the MAF. I'd try replacing that one. They do go bad occasionally.
There is a value your car needs to see but isn't seeing. Any other codes from the reader?
There are also a few sensors near the throttle body I'd be looking into. Not sure what they do but they're located near the TB intake. Downstream past the engine I'd be looking at the O2 sensors by the exhaust, though in this case I don't think these are the problem.
There are only so many sensors the car is looking at.
Any misfire codes?
There is a value your car needs to see but isn't seeing. Any other codes from the reader?
There are also a few sensors near the throttle body I'd be looking into. Not sure what they do but they're located near the TB intake. Downstream past the engine I'd be looking at the O2 sensors by the exhaust, though in this case I don't think these are the problem.
There are only so many sensors the car is looking at.
Any misfire codes?
Last edited by slammer111; Mar 3, 2021 at 11:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
C230 coupe
I was getting p0101 and p0120 from the obd scanner, and p2009 from the MB2, plus some other codes from the MB2 with no known match (The MB2 has pretty much been useless for engine-related issues).
Many thanks though for directing me to the MAF rather than the throttle body. I unplugged the MAF and started the car. A slight burble, then everything smoothed out. So I thought: "what the heck?" ,replugged the MAF back in, and restarted the car.
And it runs fine.
WTF? Is there some reset you need to do when working on the throttle body? Was the MAF jealous about being ignored? Have the gods of Lucas Electrics from 1970's British Leyland cars found a new home at MB?
I'll clear everything and re-read the codes. All's well that ends well, but sometimes I feel like I'm rolling the dice every time I turn the key.
Many thanks though for directing me to the MAF rather than the throttle body. I unplugged the MAF and started the car. A slight burble, then everything smoothed out. So I thought: "what the heck?" ,replugged the MAF back in, and restarted the car.
And it runs fine.
WTF? Is there some reset you need to do when working on the throttle body? Was the MAF jealous about being ignored? Have the gods of Lucas Electrics from 1970's British Leyland cars found a new home at MB?
I'll clear everything and re-read the codes. All's well that ends well, but sometimes I feel like I'm rolling the dice every time I turn the key.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: S. CA
'05 C320
Could anyone post a photo of MAF? What does it look like? Where is it located? Could anyone post a photo of an engine bay with an arrow for the general angle to look for it? Is it difficult to get to?
Thanks.
Thanks.
