Matt.O.Bell

I have a 1999 E320 and have had a few problems. The most recent is a blinking check engine light. Bought a device to plug into the car's computer and says something about the Evaporated Emissions Control System. Anyone know what this is? Also, I have a rattling that sounds like the exhaust, but MB couldn't find the source.

okc329

that it is not your low fuel indicator light that is blinking? If so, check to see if your gas gap is loose. Evaporative emissions control system is meant to keep gasoline vapors which evaporate off of the top of fuel in the tank from escaping to the atmosphere. These are gathered by the system and sucked into the fuel/air input of the engine to be burned. Under certain conditions, the car performs a vacuum leak test on the tank and the recovery system to see if it is airtight. If not, it blinks the fuel level light and eventually turns on the CEL. Look for a code of P0455. Lots of info on-line about this problem.

lkchris

One evaporative emissions control is your gas cap.

SpaceCity E 430

What code are you getting?

Huachipato

I got a CEL yesterday for code P0442. I'm assuming it is a gas cap related issue, but it is on there tight. I'm thinking I need a new one all together. Anybody got a good source from where to purchase a new cap from?

As for the sound, I once had a really loud rattle sound from the exhaust when at Idle. Turned out that somehow a rock made its way up between the two exhaust tubes where they run in parrallel to each other. At low RPMs, the exhaust system would shake a bit and cause the rock to bounce from one pipe to the other. Was rather loud. removed the rock and the rattle went away. Probably not the same issue, but just thought I'd mention it just in case.

ohlord

what was the number of the code,i.e. P0000 etc.,post it so we can check.Also rattle in exhaust,most likely a cat converter is going,if your code relates to a O2 sensor,then it is the cat.How many miles on the car and when was it first purchased.The cat is warranted for 8 years or 80tho miles whichever comes first.
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"

SpaceCity E 430

I went through this a few months ago. I had the flashing low fuel indicator light, and a code. I can't remember the code, but it was the one for a large vacuum leak.

I replaced the gas cap and the charcoal canister shutoff valve (behind the right rear fenderwell liner), but the problem still persisted. The regeneration valve was the culprit. It sits on the drivers side of the engine compartment and meters vacuum to the gas tank and charcoal canister.

When the regeneration valve is working you should be able to hear a popping sound when you pull the vacuum hose off it that goes to the charcoal canister. It will "pop" pretty loud. If it doesn't open there will be no vacuum supplied to the evaporative system and it will fail the vacuum test and throw a code/flash the low fuel light.