Brake Light and Catalytic Convetor
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Port Saint Lucie FL
Brake Light and Catalytic Convetor
Im looking at a nice low mileage 1990 300CE for a good price. The guys a doctor and doesnt know much about the thing other than it looks good and drives good. He said it needs brakes because the brake light is on, and it needs a catalytic convertor.
Never owning one of these before, does a brake light come on when the pads get low? On other cars Ive owned when the brake light comes on , pressure in the brake system is minimal and something major is broke(master cylinder, wheel cylinder, caliper) or the switch that tells u when the parking brake is on is broken. What would cause this light on a Mercedes?
I verified the mileage with Carfax and it seems to be correct. It has failed emissions more than a few times and the owner says it needs a catalytic converter. It has approx 71k miles on it and has had its head gasket replaced. The owner says it doesnt leak oil but his mechanic says it leaks a drop of antifreeze out the back. ( i know the DOHC engines have head gasket problems)
Brake Pads, rotors and exhaust work are an easy fix. Do you think there could be other problems with this car? I dont want to waste a day driving 3 hours there and 3 back for a possible "can of worms" car.
Never owning one of these before, does a brake light come on when the pads get low? On other cars Ive owned when the brake light comes on , pressure in the brake system is minimal and something major is broke(master cylinder, wheel cylinder, caliper) or the switch that tells u when the parking brake is on is broken. What would cause this light on a Mercedes?
I verified the mileage with Carfax and it seems to be correct. It has failed emissions more than a few times and the owner says it needs a catalytic converter. It has approx 71k miles on it and has had its head gasket replaced. The owner says it doesnt leak oil but his mechanic says it leaks a drop of antifreeze out the back. ( i know the DOHC engines have head gasket problems)
Brake Pads, rotors and exhaust work are an easy fix. Do you think there could be other problems with this car? I dont want to waste a day driving 3 hours there and 3 back for a possible "can of worms" car.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 595
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From: Middlefield, CT
1994 E320
If you are talking about the red BRAKE light, it is either a faulty parking brake switch or the brake fluid is low. There is another lamp, yellow, for front brake pad wear.
Poor emissions could be caused by misfire, incorrect mixture, or a host of other engine maladjustments.
Poor emissions could be caused by misfire, incorrect mixture, or a host of other engine maladjustments.
