’01 CLK 430 – Huge issue solved by chance… Car pulling like crazy
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From: Virginia
2001 CLK 430 AMG
’01 CLK 430 – Huge issue solved by chance… Car super fast now!
Key won’t turn in car’s ignition after driving to work so car wouldn’t start. Went back to car a few hours later, key turned in the ignition and turned on the car. Had the dealer check the key and it was fine. Went to my mechanic and he put the key in the ignition and toggled about 5 to 10 times by turning the key and turning the car on and off. Dealer and mechanic agree that it might be time for a new key just in case.
Here’s the interesting part. The car had been bogging down on acceleration for about two months. I’d mash the throttle and it would just bog down and choke. Changed the MAF sensor. No change. Ran my code reader and got a bank 2 sensor 1 O2 sensor code. Haven’t changed it yet.
After the toggling of the key in the ignition with my mechanic, the car just suddenly ran at full power. More power than in all of the years I’ve had it. No bogging down, full power through the power band – super fast. My question is, how did this happen? Seems there was a reset in the ECU after the ignition toggling. I understand the key wasn’t reset at the dealer. I can’t believe how much power the car has now. Would like to know what the issue was. Any ideas?
Thanks for your help.
Here’s the interesting part. The car had been bogging down on acceleration for about two months. I’d mash the throttle and it would just bog down and choke. Changed the MAF sensor. No change. Ran my code reader and got a bank 2 sensor 1 O2 sensor code. Haven’t changed it yet.
After the toggling of the key in the ignition with my mechanic, the car just suddenly ran at full power. More power than in all of the years I’ve had it. No bogging down, full power through the power band – super fast. My question is, how did this happen? Seems there was a reset in the ECU after the ignition toggling. I understand the key wasn’t reset at the dealer. I can’t believe how much power the car has now. Would like to know what the issue was. Any ideas?
Thanks for your help.
Last edited by emj; Mar 31, 2015 at 01:46 PM.
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clk 430
would be interested on finding out how this happened. My 2000 does the same thing. When I stomp it...it just bogs down. I have to accelerate at a smooth pace or it happens every time. I know this car has a lot of take off power but somehow I just cant seem to unlock it. How did he reset the ECU?
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 287
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From: New Hampshire
Magma Red W208 55 AMG, W203 C230 Kompressor Sedan 6speed M/T, W220 S500
would be interested on finding out how this happened. My 2000 does the same thing. When I stomp it...it just bogs down. I have to accelerate at a smooth pace or it happens every time. I know this car has a lot of take off power but somehow I just cant seem to unlock it. How did he reset the ECU?
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: New Hampshire
Magma Red W208 55 AMG, W203 C230 Kompressor Sedan 6speed M/T, W220 S500
I haven't had the same issue as the original poster but if I was you I would change those plugs out and see where that leaves you. I don't think there is a way to reset the ECU without plugging it in.
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clk 430
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Virginia
2001 CLK 430 AMG
Did some further research and it appears that my issue with the acceleration bogging down might've been related to the throttle position or the TPS. When my mechanic and I were testing the smart key we turned the key to the on position then back to the off position several times without turning on the car. We then tried the key by turning the car on and off several times and of course each time it worked just fine. This toggling might've reset the TPS though the reset procedure wasn't quite correct (Turn key to the on position, hold gas down, etc). Regardless, it's clear the TPS has been reset because there is absolutely no lag in acceleration now. This transformation only happened after we did the key in the ignition on and off toggling.
As an aside, I changed the MAF with a Bosch replacement, air filters, and fuel filter two months ago trying to fix this problem. Not a waste since the car has over 160k on the clock, I do almost all work on the car myself, and they were due anyway. Unbelievable the performance now.
As an aside, I changed the MAF with a Bosch replacement, air filters, and fuel filter two months ago trying to fix this problem. Not a waste since the car has over 160k on the clock, I do almost all work on the car myself, and they were due anyway. Unbelievable the performance now.
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG cabriolet Eurocharged
Tune it with plugs and filters, can't go wrong with preventative maintenance. If the wires appear original replace them. Prevents a lot of grief and hours of troubleshooting issues in the future.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 287
Likes: 5
From: New Hampshire
Magma Red W208 55 AMG, W203 C230 Kompressor Sedan 6speed M/T, W220 S500
Did some further research and it appears that my issue with the acceleration bogging down might've been related to the throttle position or the TPS. When my mechanic and I were testing the smart key we turned the key to the on position then back to the off position several times without turning on the car. We then tried the key by turning the car on and off several times and of course each time it worked just fine. This toggling might've reset the TPS though the reset procedure wasn't quite correct (Turn key to the on position, hold gas down, etc). Regardless, it's clear the TPS has been reset because there is absolutely no lag in acceleration now. This transformation only happened after we did the key in the ignition on and off toggling.
As an aside, I changed the MAF with a Bosch replacement, air filters, and fuel filter two months ago trying to fix this problem. Not a waste since the car has over 160k on the clock, I do almost all work on the car myself, and they were due anyway. Unbelievable the performance now.
As an aside, I changed the MAF with a Bosch replacement, air filters, and fuel filter two months ago trying to fix this problem. Not a waste since the car has over 160k on the clock, I do almost all work on the car myself, and they were due anyway. Unbelievable the performance now.
Last edited by MagmaRed55; Apr 2, 2015 at 04:59 PM.
