HELP! 97 E420 flashing check engine light car won't start
01-25-2011, 02:02 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1997 E420
HELP! 97 E420 flashing check engine light car won't start
I am new to the site and really hoping to find some help with this problem. I have a problem with the car starting. I turn the key on and the check engine light starts blinking, while it is blinking the car won't start. The engine cranks but doesn't start. If I turn the key on and the light is not blinking it starts right up and runs like a champ. This happens randomly with no apparent pattern. The last mechanic changed the crank position sensor and said it was fixed, a month later same thing, I took the car back to him he drove it for a month and it ran fine, picked it up drove it for a month same problem, that was yesterday, waited 30 min, light stopped flashing and it started right up. If anyone out there has any idea or thought please help me out here. 
Last edited by qman29; 01-25-2011 at 02:43 PM. Reason: title change
03-14-2011, 01:23 PM
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
00 S430 & 02 Suzuki 750 Katana
Glad I found this if there is anyone out there that can help it would be much appriciated I just had the same problem about 2 weeks ago? I would really like to know why it happend and how to avoid it..
03-15-2011, 08:56 AM
#3
Out Of Control!!
Sounds like you met the west coast crank and maf boys, every time a gasser burps or farts the mega posters jump in with "oh its gotta be a crank or maf sensor" and that's without even testing the sensors. No wonder you are confused!!
If the CEL goes on, a fault was established--------------scan the car for faults and then fix the faults.
If the CEL goes on, a fault was established--------------scan the car for faults and then fix the faults.
03-15-2011, 10:21 AM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,170
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
11 Posts
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
A. The so called west coast mega posters
would say CEL on? What is the code or codes?
B. they would say a flashing CEL means imminent damage,don't drive the car until you have read the code and fixed the issue.
C. The west coast mega posters would say what moron can even begin to surmise what the west coast mega posters would say? The east coast mega posters would ask the same question......
You are way out of your league. If you don't understand that comment you might want to look it up in your WIS.(which I am sure you have handy at you side)
Professor my ***
B. they would say a flashing CEL means imminent damage,don't drive the car until you have read the code and fixed the issue.
C. The west coast mega posters would say what moron can even begin to surmise what the west coast mega posters would say? The east coast mega posters would ask the same question......
You are way out of your league. If you don't understand that comment you might want to look it up in your WIS.(which I am sure you have handy at you side)
Professor my ***
Last edited by ohlord; 03-15-2011 at 10:25 AM.
03-15-2011, 11:05 AM
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
00 S430 & 02 Suzuki 750 Katana
LOL.. come on guys lets not take it there, this site/forum it to educate and help everyone that drives and loves these cars, any help and input is much appreciated from everyone. However ever time I have scanned it, I keep getting the same reading of bad CATS, Which I know are the ones before the O2 sensor, speaking of 02 sensor I KNOW I have to change that as well, but i don’t know if I should do it before or after I get the new CATS? Which Unfortunately I don’t have surplus cash to get the new CATS soon at $500 a side but I defiantly will. In the mean time, I cleaned the MAF extensively and I also ordered a new CPS, to eliminate some possible variables. I know Cleaning of the MAF is temporary but I have to start some were.
03-15-2011, 12:42 PM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,170
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
11 Posts
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
A bad cat
could be the secondary cat post the o2 sensors.
Have you inspected the cats for operation?
Have you tested them for efficiency?
Have you posted the codes?
Not the maf or the cps with a blinking CEL that is for sure.
Cats are not 5 bills per side.
Have you inspected the cats for operation?
Have you tested them for efficiency?
Have you posted the codes?
Not the maf or the cps with a blinking CEL that is for sure.
Cats are not 5 bills per side.
03-16-2011, 03:41 PM
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1997 E420
Ok, I did not notice this before but the red and green lights on the rearview mirror are flashing as well, does this help with any diagnosis, going insane about to take her into the dealer....
Trending Topics
03-17-2011, 09:17 AM
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
00 S430 & 02 Suzuki 750 Katana
When you do..
Please update here ASAP.. Mine just happend again.. could it be the battery? or maybe the starter? 
I dont know just throwing ideas out there.. but I will be pulling codes today to see if any other ones becides BAD CATS show up.
I dont know just throwing ideas out there.. but I will be pulling codes today to see if any other ones becides BAD CATS show up.
03-17-2011, 06:09 PM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
00 S430 & 02 Suzuki 750 Katana
I have been reseraching this and I would check your "COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR" I am going to check mine as well but in most cases that has been the issue. Oh yeah no codes show up when you scan it.
04-07-2011, 07:43 PM
#10
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
00 S430 & 02 Suzuki 750 Katana
GOT CODES >> YES I DO!
CODES ARE = P0455 / P0442 AND P0422
So Let me guess EVAP system I cleaned the Purge Valve.. and now i hear the "drummer boy" Playing so that sounds good.. leaks are kind of hard to detect especially the line going to the back of the cars firewall.
Gas Cap will be my next guess but i highly doudt it. Is getting to the Charcol Canister diffuicult and if not, how will I best approach it?
CATS i know I have to change soon
04-07-2011, 08:23 PM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Pittsburgh,PA, Cambridge, Ontario, CN
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
2003 S210 3.8L Brabus wagon
from an East Coast poster, try the simple things first. check to make sure you are within the time period of the battery's useful life 4-6 years for the standard and 5-9 for the Black Gel HD type. To start without issue your vehicle requires a fully charged battery otherwise it just cranks and won't catch. Check all electrical connections to and from the sensors. Just some east coast thoughts.
Last edited by ejsheltra; 04-07-2011 at 08:26 PM.
04-10-2011, 06:09 PM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
00 S430 & 02 Suzuki 750 Katana
HELP!! E420 still keeps stalling.
from an East Coast poster, try the simple things first. check to make sure you are within the time period of the battery's useful life 4-6 years for the standard and 5-9 for the Black Gel HD type. To start without issue your vehicle requires a fully charged battery otherwise it just cranks and won't catch. Check all electrical connections to and from the sensors. Just some east coast thoughts.
i am soo confused.. its weird and it happens randomly that i cant narrow it down to 1 or at least 2 variables causing the problem..
Last edited by Delux2d; 04-10-2011 at 06:11 PM. Reason: more info..
