C Class (W205) C 180 BlueTec,C 200 BlueTec,C 220 BlueTec,C 220 BlueTec BlueEfficiency,C 250 BlueTec,C 300 BlueTec Hybridplus,C 180,C 180 BlueEfficiency,C 200,C 250,C 300,C 400 Plug-in Hybrid,C 400

Chasing my tail - Cylinder misfire codes different cylinders - Wiring or ECU?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 14, 2026 | 09:13 PM
  #1  
jltskfl's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
Chasing my tail - Cylinder misfire codes different cylinders - Wiring or ECU?

I'm about to lose my mid.
Issue:
- Got 2 Cylinder codes, both for cyl #1, coil problem and misfire. Car drove as if cylinder 1 wasn't firing (like crap). I replaced coil pack 1 with new, which fifty sources said was on the front of this 4 cyl turbo.
- The outside of the electrical connector disintegrated. Yay Mercedes plastic choice which doesn't last 5 years. (I ordered new connectors.) The inside of the connector was fine.
- Upon replacing the #1 coil pack, the car drove fine for one trip, then then felt like a cylinder was misfiring again. Cyl #1 again showed same 2 codes.
- Replaced the coil pack again with new. Car drove fine, but got a bad coil code for cyl #1 yet again.
So I....
- Swapped the original Mercedes coil from #2 to #1 and #1 (new) to cyl 2. And tightened the little pin clamps in the connector. I was thinking maybe this new coil was to blame, and I of course never got a code for cyl 2.
- Car drives fine, but now I consistently get a bad coil code on....cyl #3 ???? Again, I swapped #1 and #2, so looking for possible movement of the code but not to #3.

So are the cylinder positions 1, 2, 3, 4 from front to back? Does Mercedes show codes according to cyl position or firing order? Did they program this ECU wrong for the code scanner? It seems weird that the coil swap produced a possible expected position change, but I never touched #3.

Also, been getting some other weird codes lately following some under hood work. Also, my AC compressor turn on wire was open, necessitating running a bypass wire. I'm also suspecting maybe the big fatty underhood wiring connectors near the air cleaner on top of an ECU module didn't like being taken off and resecured. I noticed some type of what looked like clear fluid in them when I took them apart and hit them with air in case any radiator fluid had gotten into them. (There was a coolant leak which started this entire fiasco.)

- Are there issues with the electrical connectors in these cars getting loose?
- Do these connectors come with some type of contact oil in them, or no?
- Any known issues with codes jumping around for cyl misfires?
- Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2026 | 02:02 AM
  #2  
CaliBenzDriver's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,924
Likes: 6,776
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
Originally Posted by jltskfl
I'm about to lose my mid.
Issue:
- Got 2 Cylinder codes, both for cyl #1, coil problem and misfire. Car drove as if cylinder 1 wasn't firing (like crap). I replaced coil pack 1 with new, which fifty sources said was on the front of this 4 cyl turbo.
- The outside of the electrical connector disintegrated. Yay Mercedes plastic choice which doesn't last 5 years. (I ordered new connectors.) The inside of the connector was fine.
- Upon replacing the #1 coil pack, the car drove fine for one trip, then then felt like a cylinder was misfiring again. Cyl #1 again showed same 2 codes.
- Replaced the coil pack again with new. Car drove fine, but got a bad coil code for cyl #1 yet again.
So I....
- Swapped the original Mercedes coil from #2 to #1 and #1 (new) to cyl 2. And tightened the little pin clamps in the connector. I was thinking maybe this new coil was to blame, and I of course never got a code for cyl 2.
- Car drives fine, but now I consistently get a bad coil code on....cyl #3 ???? Again, I swapped #1 and #2, so looking for possible movement of the code but not to #3.

So are the cylinder positions 1, 2, 3, 4 from front to back? Does Mercedes show codes according to cyl position or firing order? Did they program this ECU wrong for the code scanner? It seems weird that the coil swap produced a possible expected position change, but I never touched #3.

Also, been getting some other weird codes lately following some under hood work. Also, my AC compressor turn on wire was open, necessitating running a bypass wire. I'm also suspecting maybe the big fatty underhood wiring connectors near the air cleaner on top of an ECU module didn't like being taken off and resecured. I noticed some type of what looked like clear fluid in them when I took them apart and hit them with air in case any radiator fluid had gotten into them. (There was a coolant leak which started this entire fiasco.)

- Are there issues with the electrical connectors in these cars getting loose?
- Do these connectors come with some type of contact oil in them, or no?
- Any known issues with codes jumping around for cyl misfires?
- Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.
You are starting to have misfires faults.
You tested moving coil+ plugs over to gave known good in faulted cyl. - It's important to know if misfire moved or stayed.


> NEED PERFECT IGNITION...
You can not affort to run with marginal ignition.
The German plastic crumbling witness extreme heat that cooks coils insulation.
I'd replace ALL identical new: coils + boots + plugs + connector.

Take this opportunity to test compressions and inspect bores if you will.

When dealing with misfiring consider the fuel trims: LTFT to be near 0% (+/- 5 Pts). Lean mixtures are common offenders.

Hope this help you solve this.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:10 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE