greekbecky

Hi...I could use some advice. I have a 2005 e320 4Matic Wagon and the 'Check Engine' light went on (I noticed it was driving rough too). I only drive about 500ft. and turned around for home. I checked the gas cap and it was secure. I didn't smell anything unusual and the engine was cold.
Before I screwed at my local MB service center, would someone shed some light on what might be going on. I lost my job 3 years ago, so money is tight to say the least. If this is a relatively easy fix I would be thrilled.
Thanks!

theunderlord

Take the car to an auto parts store, ask them to read and erase the code. Come back on here and tell us what the code was (it'll probably start with a P) and then we can help.

Most parts stores will read for free.

greekbecky

Thank you TheUnderlord, I will do that and return with the code!

theunderlord

You got it.

greekbecky

Hi Underlord:

The code is: P0305 (cylinder 5 misfire?).

Does this help?

Thanks!

greekbecky

I also wanted to ask if you know where I could get a free download of the repair manual. Might be good to have for the actual repair process!

Benzer0matic

If I had to guess I'd say its a faulty coil pack or spark plug/wire. Was the necessary maintenance perfomed?

greekbecky

Hi Benzer0matic:
Yes, maintenance completed as scheduled, most recently in September. How do I find out for sure what it is? I'd really like to avoid the dealership as I'm out of work and we all know how expensive they are.

Dennis Keating

I am ironically in the same position. I have a C320 4MATIC. My check engine light come on yesterday. I drove to the nearest auto parts store, they gave my 3 different issues. 1 timing belt possible issue, Miss fire in one cyl. or low fluid in the radiator. The engine is running fine. Maintenance was performed in December. I have limited funds due to same issue job loss.

ARODMBTECH

To greekbecky, I would suggest changing out the less expensive parts first which happen to be the coil wires. There are two for each cylinder and if you are looking at your engine from the front of the car they will be on the second coil on the right.

To Dennis Keating, I would suggest clearing the fault codes if the engine seems to be running fine at the moment. It may have set the light from the possibillity of bad gas. If the light does come back most likely you have have a random misfire in cyl 1. I really wouldn't worry about the other faults as I have never dealt with those faults in my experience but you never know. Hope this helps you guys....

Benzer0matic

How long ago were the spark plugs replaced? If the plugs weren't replaced as per the maintenance schedule I would at least perchase 1 spark plug to see if that fixes your symptoms. If that doesn't fix your problem I would check to see that the spark plug itself is not loose. Then proceed with the next more expensive fix and that would be the coil wires as mentioned by ARODMBTECH. Next try changing the coil pack although I have no idea how expensive that is.

Where are you located as there may be a member of the forum in your area with a Star Diagnosis machine that may be willing to help you out. It would save you from throwing money at the problem until you find the right solution.

Dennis Keating

I live in St. Louis, MO. I will try having the codes erased, if that does not work, I will try replacing the spark plugs. If that doesn't work, I will replace all the plugs and wires. If that doesn't work. Maybe someone could tell me where a Star Diagnosis machine is in my area. Thank you for you assistance.

greekbecky

Thank you gentlemen! 1.) Look for Star Diagnosis machine 2.) Get repair history (bought car used) if possible 3.) If I don't find history or Star Diagnosis machine...plugs first, then coils wires and coils as necessary.

It would be great to find a manual (paper) for this car too.

greekbecky

As for manual, I found a 2003 - 2005 Mercedes-Benz 320 E-Class W 211 Chassis Factory Service CD & Diagnostics Tool Combo manual, but its $200.

Is it worth it? I copied the link below...

http://www.mercedesmanuals.com/Merce...21106combo.htm

konigstiger

http://www.autorepairmanuals.biz/sit...uct/P270021107

DanG2

No one seems to have mentioned that before you go out and start replacing parts, you can swap parts from the cylinder that has the problem to another one that doesn't have it, and go back and check the codes to see if the problem has moved. That can help pinpoint whether the problem is with the coils, or the wires, or - if the problem doesn't move - something else, like an injector.

Konigstiger beat me to the punch with regard to the manual. One thing I was going to mention was if you do get a manual on disk, make sure you know the software requirements. If you're using a Mac, you're probably out of luck unless you're already running Windows on it. Even then the disk may not be compatible with all versions of Windows. I didn't see any mention of software requirements at MercedesManuals.com.

As an alternative, you might also consider going to http://www.alldatadiy.com or http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/ and signing up for a limited membership that lets you download the information you need for your current problem. And if you go to the seventh Sticky down from the top of this forum, you will find that you can sign up at startekinfo and get parts information for free (just need a credit card). That can be helpful once you've got the problem isolated.

Hope that happens soon. Running with a misfire is not good for the catalytic converters.

greekbecky

Thank you konigstiger and DanG2:

Good suggestion of swapping the parts, I didn't consider that.
As for the manual, I'm familiar with AllDATAdiy and will probably use it, but I was just curious what else was out there, so thanks for the other sources as well.

ap10046

I had this last week..Switched the car off, did the ECU (Or was it TCU) reset and after a minute and half, all was well again.

vettdvr

If you have random misfire all cylinders I would look elsewhere for the problem Perhaps the CPS as it is common to all cylinders. This is of course assuming you have maintained the vehicle in line with the manual.

Dennis Keating

Before I did any work on my car (since it was not having any issues other than the check engine light. I thought I would check everything that the diagnostics gave me as issues. 1. Low fluid in the radiator. So I started the engine and let it run. Then realized not much heat coming out of the vents. So I replaced the thermostat. That was it. Then check engine light went out.

greekbecky

Thanks ap10046 and vettdvr:

The car has been maintained with the scheduled maintenance programs (C is scheduled in 1200 miles from now). I live in Western NY so I'm just waiting for a decent, warm day to get started on the repair.

Vettdvr: A good friend from college ended up as design manager for Corvette and Camaro just sent me a picture handing Eli Manning his keys for his Corvette GS order...must be nice.

sdsusa

I'm having similar issue, but with engine failed to start.

I have 2005 E320 4MATIC. About a month ago the engine failed to start. The motor keeps turning but no ignition. About after 15 minutes the engine finally started but had the check engine light on which disappeared the next day. After that, everything was normal for a month. I had same situation twice yesterday – first one, it started approx. 10 min after it first failed to start, but had check engine light on. Second one, in the evening the same thing. A friend of mine suspected battery, so he gave me a jump start which started the engine right away. I didn’t think it was battery related, but he insists it’s the battery – main battery was replaced February 2011 but the auxiliary battery was never replaced. It started normally this morning but still have the check engine light on.

Any help would be appreciated.

N_Jay

Get the code read so we are not guessing (as much).

MSRracing

maybe you have to change some parts of you engine.