e420 problems
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Joined: Oct 2002
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e420 problems
Ok, I'm going to tell you all that is going wrong with my '97 e420, it might be a few separate problems, or one big problem, I have no idea as I am not an auto mechanic. Heres the scoop:
I bring my car into service at an autorized MB dealer on a regular basis, and nothing went wrong until about 6 months ago. It started out as just a slightly rough idle, I didn't think much of it, as it wasn't very noticable, but it got worse over time. Instead of just being a rought idle, it began to jerk back and forth under speeds of about 3mph. Yes, at very low speeds (such as those when idling on flat ground with foot off both pedals), the car jerks back and forth and the tachometer shows that the engine revs are fluxuating more than usual. For some reason, this doesn't happen all the time, I'll usually start the car, and it'll be fine but about halfway to work, i'll stop at a light and the car will start to jerk agressivly and idle roughly. Once it starts, usually it will continue to do it until I turn off my engine, but occasionally it will stop doing it at some point.
A few weeks after it started doing it, I took it in to be serviced, they found nothing wrong and assured me that my I was immagining things. The day I got my car back, as I was driving home, the "Check Engine Electronics" light came on, and I drove right back to the dealership and showed them. They took another look and again claimed to have found nothing. They said that the sensor was just faulty, and they reset the sensor. The problems continued to occur, so I went back to my dealership and again they found nothing wrong.
Now the problem has seemingly gotten worse, it happens more often and the shaking is worse. The Check Electronics light comes on sometimes and turns itself off the next time I start my car. Also, recently, the car seems to be having a little bit more trouble starting, this could be completely unrelated, but i figure I'll tell you anyways.
Just for the record, I am a very conservative driver, I never redline, so I don't think its because I have driven the car hard. If you have any questions, please ask, i'll be checking this thread daily. If you want to talk to me in person, my AIM is BConly - i'm usually on at night from 7pm-11pm pdt. Thanks a lot!
-Peter
I bring my car into service at an autorized MB dealer on a regular basis, and nothing went wrong until about 6 months ago. It started out as just a slightly rough idle, I didn't think much of it, as it wasn't very noticable, but it got worse over time. Instead of just being a rought idle, it began to jerk back and forth under speeds of about 3mph. Yes, at very low speeds (such as those when idling on flat ground with foot off both pedals), the car jerks back and forth and the tachometer shows that the engine revs are fluxuating more than usual. For some reason, this doesn't happen all the time, I'll usually start the car, and it'll be fine but about halfway to work, i'll stop at a light and the car will start to jerk agressivly and idle roughly. Once it starts, usually it will continue to do it until I turn off my engine, but occasionally it will stop doing it at some point.
A few weeks after it started doing it, I took it in to be serviced, they found nothing wrong and assured me that my I was immagining things. The day I got my car back, as I was driving home, the "Check Engine Electronics" light came on, and I drove right back to the dealership and showed them. They took another look and again claimed to have found nothing. They said that the sensor was just faulty, and they reset the sensor. The problems continued to occur, so I went back to my dealership and again they found nothing wrong.
Now the problem has seemingly gotten worse, it happens more often and the shaking is worse. The Check Electronics light comes on sometimes and turns itself off the next time I start my car. Also, recently, the car seems to be having a little bit more trouble starting, this could be completely unrelated, but i figure I'll tell you anyways.
Just for the record, I am a very conservative driver, I never redline, so I don't think its because I have driven the car hard. If you have any questions, please ask, i'll be checking this thread daily. If you want to talk to me in person, my AIM is BConly - i'm usually on at night from 7pm-11pm pdt. Thanks a lot!
-Peter
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Phoenix
E320
I assume your running premium fuel with the highest octane rating, so we'll disclude that. Next, I would say it's a sensor problem with a maf, o2, etc. Finally the ECM could have issues. I assume your voltage checked out ok from an idle and at wot.
You should probably move this post to the tech forum for a better response. I know the frustration of having a problem that can't be duplicated on your 1st or 2nd visit to the service advisor.
You should probably move this post to the tech forum for a better response. I know the frustration of having a problem that can't be duplicated on your 1st or 2nd visit to the service advisor.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2002
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alright thanks, i'll post this in the tech forum, but can you clarify a little of the terminology that you used? Like "maf" and "o2". I'm no mechanic, and I don't pretend know what you are talking about 
I have never driven the car at wot, I'm not sure if they even checked the voltage at idle because they are so dumb at this place.
Also, does anybody know a great auto shop where I can take my car in the Los Angeles area? thanks
-Peter
I have never driven the car at wot, I'm not sure if they even checked the voltage at idle because they are so dumb at this place.
Also, does anybody know a great auto shop where I can take my car in the Los Angeles area? thanks
-Peter
