harescrambles

I have a 1996 E320. For the last three years it has failed emissions testing. It reads "not ready" or "incomplete drive cycle." I have driven it to the specifications for a drive cycle with no results. A tailpipe test has allowed me to tag it for the last two years but the state refuses to do it a third time. Anybody have any idea what I need to do?

harescrambles

I might add that the car is not driven regularly. Sometimes I don't drive it for a week or so at a time. Could that be my problem? Thanks in advance.

raymond g-

has it been read for codes (DTC)?

harescrambles

Yes i just reads "not ready"

raymond g-

what country is your car produced for? I dont want to assume USA so inquiring...

harescrambles

Yes, USA. Actually Tennessee. I talked to the Mercedes mechanic and he suggested taking it on the interstate and driving 65 mph for 25 minutes, then repeating it the next day. My husband has done this and still no luck.

ohlord

harborfreight. Pick up the #98568 obd2 scanner on sale for about 50 bucks.
Plug it in read the i/m status and post what monitors are listed as not ready.
You can have 2 Not readies and pass emission test.
With a list of what is not ready a specific drive cycle can be prescribed.
Also it was mentioned the car is not frequently driven,if the battery is low and power is interrupted the I/M status will all go to not ready.
So before you do any test get a charger and hook it up to the battery and the negative clamp to a good ground or use the under hood charging post and charge the battery overnight at 10 amps/12volts.

as always be sure to charge the battery with the key out of the ignition.....

harescrambles

I charged the battery. I got the scanner. All codes read okay except for "catlyst mon" incomplete. Do you have any idea what that might mean?

Hirnbeiss

Not sure how the Mercedes dive cycles vary, but here you can see the general direction from GM and Ford cycles.

http://www.obdii.com/obdii.html

harescrambles

Doesn't show any codes just one incomplete "catlyst mon" everything else reads 'OK'. do you think i need a catalytic converter. thanks

RobertG

iT MAY BE AN 02 SENSOR AT THE CAT, CHECK TO SEE IF IT'S ACTIVE.

ohlord

2 I/M readiness monitors read not ready.
If you only have 1 no problem
if you want to get it ready for some reason
run this drive cycle 2 times
https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-tech-talk/385599-readiness-codes-won-t-reset.html#post4540607
in the order I prescribe

be sure you drive the car for at least 1/2 hour before pulling into the test line and keep the engine running while waiting.

harescrambles

I have done absolutely everything advised with no positive results. It is almost impossible to keep speed at exactly 43 mph but I was close. The test results remain "catalyst mon" inactive. I am about ready to give up and park it until I can afford a Mercedes dealer.
I guess TN is a state where you are not allowed any not ready's since this car has failed for 3 years, presumably for the same reason each time.
If you have any more suggestions, please clue me in. I am willing to try anything. (as my boss would say...I'd pee on a spark plug if I thought it would help!)

ohlord

a State that won't allow at least one not ready. Why not call and check?
Then find a good indie shop mb with sds diagnostics and have cat eff tested and system scanned for symptoms related to I/M status cats.






"I wanted to become an astronomer until I discovered I suffered from Siderophobia "
ohlord