Got some work done on my 'new' E320
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
1998 E320 4matic wagon
Got some work done on my 'new' E320
For those of you whomissed my intro thread, I just purchased a single-owner '98 E320 4matic wagon. It just passed MD inspection, so I am just about ready to get a title and tags for it.
I used my father's garage (heated, with lift) to get a few things done. I changed the oil to RedLine 5w40 full synthetic (PAO ester-based) and Bosch filter, changed the transmission fluid and filter using RedLine D4 full synthetic ATF and a Mann filter (it appears to have never been done in 158,000 miles). I also changed the cabin filter (also looked like it had never been changed) and the engine air filter. Mann for the engine, Micronair for the cabin.
I also cleaned the MAF and did a transmission memory reset.
This car drives beautifully, but has a couple of electrical hiccups. A lot of it has to do with the dome lights. They comeon when most doors are opened, but they remain on unless I press the "door" button up on the console, then they go off and stay off. If I get in and start the car in "door" mode, they come on and stay on until I manually shut off the front and rear dome lights.
I think some of the problem may be in the rear hatch, which might be sending an "open door" signal all of the time. The central door lock button will unlock the doors, but will not lock them. The key fob will lock all the doors, though. I'm hoping I don't need a new PSE, and that maybe it's just wiring or a door switch. I won't be able to work on it for a few days, so maybe some more research will turn up some leads.
I used my father's garage (heated, with lift) to get a few things done. I changed the oil to RedLine 5w40 full synthetic (PAO ester-based) and Bosch filter, changed the transmission fluid and filter using RedLine D4 full synthetic ATF and a Mann filter (it appears to have never been done in 158,000 miles). I also changed the cabin filter (also looked like it had never been changed) and the engine air filter. Mann for the engine, Micronair for the cabin.
I also cleaned the MAF and did a transmission memory reset.
This car drives beautifully, but has a couple of electrical hiccups. A lot of it has to do with the dome lights. They comeon when most doors are opened, but they remain on unless I press the "door" button up on the console, then they go off and stay off. If I get in and start the car in "door" mode, they come on and stay on until I manually shut off the front and rear dome lights.
I think some of the problem may be in the rear hatch, which might be sending an "open door" signal all of the time. The central door lock button will unlock the doors, but will not lock them. The key fob will lock all the doors, though. I'm hoping I don't need a new PSE, and that maybe it's just wiring or a door switch. I won't be able to work on it for a few days, so maybe some more research will turn up some leads.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
1998 E320 4matic wagon
As far as the rear, I don't know that either. This is my first Benz with leveling rear. All I know is it recently has a new pump installed by the PO.
I've got other issues... the rear hatch is not original to the car. It has been painted (crappy job) and is rusting. I have plans to restore it... just waiting on my body guy to have some free time.
Also, it seems like it "thinks" there is a door open. I cannot lock with the interior button, but I can unlock with it. It will lock AND unlock with the remote. The "door" setting on the dome lights will never turn off, as if a door is still open. The hatch will not lock, but I'm pretty sure that's a vacuum issue (you can hear it hissing inside the door). I tried to jump the wires that I think are the door switch wires in the hatch, and that didn't help anything.
I can't reset the service reminder (I think because it thinks a door is open).
Is there any way to tell which door it thinks is open? There doesn't seem to be a display like most modern cars. I need a wiring diagram.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: Sweden
SL55AMG + SL600 + E320 + A180
check all the doors ….. there shall be a plastic cover with a little screw in the door – it covers the lock in the door …. it goes and meet the button in the panel that have to be activated for the car to think the doors are closed – a simple but little thing …….. I missed it with mine … not mistaken but it’s the head of the little screw that meets the button pin ….
the service reminder can be a pain but you find the way on YouTube … just keep trying …… my girlfriends just went through after eight attempts and mine – I had to use my Diagnostic ….. it has nothing to do with the doors …..
the service reminder can be a pain but you find the way on YouTube … just keep trying …… my girlfriends just went through after eight attempts and mine – I had to use my Diagnostic ….. it has nothing to do with the doors …..
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 724
Likes: 41
From: UK
W215 CL500 2005
The US market did not have Elegance and AG designations. The grille is an AG one...but that was standard on all models in the US.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
1998 E320 4matic wagon
check all the doors ….. there shall be a plastic cover with a little screw in the door – it covers the lock in the door …. it goes and meet the button in the panel that have to be activated for the car to think the doors are closed – a simple but little thing …….. I missed it with mine … not mistaken but it’s the head of the little screw that meets the button pin ….
the service reminder can be a pain but you find the way on YouTube … just keep trying …… my girlfriends just went through after eight attempts and mine – I had to use my Diagnostic ….. it has nothing to do with the doors …..
the service reminder can be a pain but you find the way on YouTube … just keep trying …… my girlfriends just went through after eight attempts and mine – I had to use my Diagnostic ….. it has nothing to do with the doors …..
Also, it DID enable me to reset the service reminder. I could NOT get it reset with the door open (or thinking it was open). I tried MANY times. The first time I tried it with the door switch working, ir reset perfectly.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: Sweden
SL55AMG + SL600 + E320 + A180
yes of curse - you have to have all doors closed for resetting and when the car thought there was a door open, then you could not reset ....... good to see you figured it out ..... nice job on the headlights - I will do that too on my car
