Check Engine Light On All The Time!!
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 27
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From: Los Angeles
94 MBZ E420, 93 BMW ACS 325i
Check Engine Light On All The Time!!
The dealer says it's the computer and parts alone will cost $2,300. Anyone having this problem? They also say it's a common problem in W124.
If I don't get this thing fixed, I will not pass the California emissions test. Any ideas? Thanks.
If I don't get this thing fixed, I will not pass the California emissions test. Any ideas? Thanks.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 15
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From: Houston
92 400E
From one Doc to another...
At 2000 plus dollars, I will get a second opinion from another independent MB specialized repair shop. If it is the computer...which one and then go searching on the net from a junked vehicle. Have your mech give you 100% verification that it is the computer before shelling out that much cash. Im heading to a junk yard right now looking for a $575 wiring harness that the insulation has deteriorated and caused bare wires to touch ea other. Check engine light was on all the time as well.
The metal Doc....
At 2000 plus dollars, I will get a second opinion from another independent MB specialized repair shop. If it is the computer...which one and then go searching on the net from a junked vehicle. Have your mech give you 100% verification that it is the computer before shelling out that much cash. Im heading to a junk yard right now looking for a $575 wiring harness that the insulation has deteriorated and caused bare wires to touch ea other. Check engine light was on all the time as well.
The metal Doc....
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
94 MBZ E420, 93 BMW ACS 325i
I had the harness replaced not too long ago because of the engine light, again, they told me it's a common problem with the W124. Fixed that and the light is still on and now they say it's the computer...but the wiring looked bad so I went ahead and replaced them...
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Houston, Texas
1994 MB E420 RENNtech
Re: Check Engine Light On All The Time!!
Originally posted by doctor_grim
The dealer says it's the computer and parts alone will cost $2,300. Anyone having this problem? They also say it's a common problem in W124.
If I don't get this thing fixed, I will not pass the California emissions test. Any ideas? Thanks.
The dealer says it's the computer and parts alone will cost $2,300. Anyone having this problem? They also say it's a common problem in W124.
If I don't get this thing fixed, I will not pass the California emissions test. Any ideas? Thanks.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Houston
92 400E
Funny thing....if the car ran fine for over a year and it still pass emissions....MB can keep their damm computer and might as well remove the input for the CHECK engine light. Found a harness today from a totalled vehicle in excellent shape...we'll see how it works when I plug it in tomorrow.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 1
From: Houston, Texas
1994 MB E420 RENNtech
Originally posted by maxjet37
Funny thing....if the car ran fine for over a year and it still pass emissions....MB can keep their damm computer and might as well remove the input for the CHECK engine light. Found a harness today from a totalled vehicle in excellent shape...we'll see how it works when I plug it in tomorrow.
Funny thing....if the car ran fine for over a year and it still pass emissions....MB can keep their damm computer and might as well remove the input for the CHECK engine light. Found a harness today from a totalled vehicle in excellent shape...we'll see how it works when I plug it in tomorrow.
What part of Houston do you live in? Are you ever interested in getting together with other members here in the forum?
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Suburban Detroit, MI
1994 E420
Folks,
What code are you getting? If you are getting code #19 (like I did) then I can help you fix it. Mercedes has a Service Bullitin on this issue and recommends a computer upgrade... yet the only difference is the software on the chip... I think only 18 bytes differed. It is as simple as replacing the chip in the computer with an "updated" version.. which I have obtained. I've done it and still have the software and chip burner.
You do know you can pull your codes by yourself.. without a separate reader, right?
What code are you getting? If you are getting code #19 (like I did) then I can help you fix it. Mercedes has a Service Bullitin on this issue and recommends a computer upgrade... yet the only difference is the software on the chip... I think only 18 bytes differed. It is as simple as replacing the chip in the computer with an "updated" version.. which I have obtained. I've done it and still have the software and chip burner.
You do know you can pull your codes by yourself.. without a separate reader, right?
Last edited by wjm; Jul 24, 2003 at 10:29 AM.
