HELP! 97 E420 flashing check engine light car won't start
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Riverside, CA
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; Jan 25, 2011 at 02:43 PM. Reason: title change
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
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..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
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; Mar 15, 2011 at 10:25 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Likes: 16
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.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Riverside, CA
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....
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
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.
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
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.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh,PA, Cambridge, Ontario, CN
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; Apr 7, 2011 at 08:26 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
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; Apr 10, 2011 at 06:11 PM. Reason: more info..
