Out of town with check engine light?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
From: NC
1991 350SDL, 2006 E320CDI, 1999 F250 7.3L Crew Cab 4X4
Out of town with check engine light?
I am 225 miles from home and my 2006 E320 CDI has a check engine light on. The car operates correctly and all service/filters are current. I have 92K miles and never had a glow plug failure. I am used to the old sprial wire light giving a warning concerning the pre glow system. Will a failed glow plug turn the check engine light on without the sprial wire glow light blinking or coming back on after start?
I do know that I need to have the code read, but I am not in a position to do that as of now.
Thanks
I do know that I need to have the code read, but I am not in a position to do that as of now.
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
I am 225 miles from home and my 2006 E320 CDI has a check engine light on. The car operates correctly and all service/filters are current. I have 92K miles and never had a glow plug failure. I am used to the old sprial wire light giving a warning concerning the pre glow system. Will a failed glow plug turn the check engine light on without the sprial wire glow light blinking or coming back on after start?
I do know that I need to have the code read, but I am not in a position to do that as of now.
Thanks
I do know that I need to have the code read, but I am not in a position to do that as of now.
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
is there an autozone near where you are staying? If so, simply walk in and borrow their OBDII/CAN code reader tool. All you need to do is give them your ID as collateral. Why risk not knowing what is going on?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
2006 E320CDI
It will trigger the CEL but you will also see the Glow plug indicator stay on after start. So if you just have a CEL and no abnormal behavior with the Glow plug indicator it probably is something else.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 15
From: Louisiana
03 E500 and Corvette
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
2008 E350 Sport
He's right. The CEL is also known as the "Scare the wife" light. It primarily monitors emissions systems. If there's something seriously wrong, you should get a specific warning, such as low oil level or overheating. That said, if you can get it scanned where you are, it will give you peace of mind.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
From: NC
1991 350SDL, 2006 E320CDI, 1999 F250 7.3L Crew Cab 4X4
The code was P0269 Cyl #3 contribution balance
I finally got back to civilization and had the code read. "Cylinder # 3 contribution balance" is what the scanner had on the screen. I guess that I probably need to have a contribution test performed? Now that I think about it and look back, I can have a "bumpy idle", but not all of the time. It just briefly comes and goes.
The light did not come on for the last 125 miles of the trip and it has not reappeared with about 6 starts since.
The light did not come on for the last 125 miles of the trip and it has not reappeared with about 6 starts since.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 5
From: NC
1991 350SDL, 2006 E320CDI, 1999 F250 7.3L Crew Cab 4X4
Update for #3 injector
After a trip to the dealer, one injector and $689.63 later, I now have a very smooth CDI. I do notice less particulate upon full throtle acceleration and the idle is smooth as glass.
I now know this injector was in failure mode the day I purchased the car. The dealership experience was very positive.
I now know this injector was in failure mode the day I purchased the car. The dealership experience was very positive.
