I had a check engine light come on a few weeks ago then went off the day after. Had the code checked today and it was 1200 & 1208, balance shaft related. Not what I expected. The light has not returned and engine sounds fine. Although I am confused, my engine was not in the range and I'm at 133k. So I thought at this point I was past the expected frame of failure. I was told to monitor and that the CEL may return and stay on.


What is damage will incur if I remain driving if the light were to return?

Any feedback? Thanks

That is exactly what I plan to do. If I can get another 10-20k, ill be happy.

It's a 2006 model. All 2006 were in the affected range. You could keep driving it like that til it won't start. I don't think you'll get 80k out of it, but reports from others seem to say that it's about a few thousand miles before it wouldn't start one day. The repair parts are somewhat reasonable, only a few hundred, it's the labor to remove the engine that's expensive.

Might be time to punt.

Weird part is that the light went away and has not retuned since. I guess the doomsday clock will start once the light has returned and won't go away. I thought about maybe getting it fixed but then it'll be the SBC pump. Gotta stop somewhere.

Yeah, your best bet may be to trade it in now before it won't even run or before the light comes on permanently. I always see ads online from people trying to sell 2006 models with the light on and claiming that they don't know what it is and it's probably nothing when it's really something major like the balance shaft.

I think for 2007/2008 models, sometimes it's the sensors, but for a 2006, it's probably not that. There are youtube videos that will tell you how to check the status of the balance shafts.

I doubt you'll get 80k out of it, most people on here seem to just get a few thousand before the car doesn't start anymore. But if it took 133k to go, maybe you'll get lucky, sometimes they went at 60-80k. Trade in is probably in the 4-5k range. I believe repair at the dealer is 5-7k, an indy maybe 3-5k, under $500 in parts if you can diy and remove the engine.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2720300613

There's no upper limit on the mileage. There are people who come here with 160k on it and it starts to go.

So it seems the CEL is only coming on when the tank is below half. Once I refill to max, it goes away...How is this related to the balance shaft?

It's a balance shaft after all. The sprockets wear away. Gas is about 6.3 pounds per gallon. With a 21 gallon tank, that brings you about a 66 pounds in additional weight in the rear to tip the engine one way. Did you scan it again to see if it's the same codes? Final verdict could be just a coincidence, after a half tank worth of mileage, it decides to come on.

I am confused...can you explain? I have not scanned the codes again but I will next time the cel is on. I did have the fuel tank replaced due to the odor not to long ago as well.

I think what he is trying to say is to test your theory, when the tank is below half full, clear the codes, put a couple of adults in the back seat, and see if the CEL comes back on. Again, he is saying that with the additional weight of the gas in the tank, it may be enough to "lean" or tilt the car enough that the engine also tilts or leans and you do not get the codes.
Mike T.

Right. I was just trying to point out a logical fallacy. Correlation does not imply causation.

So I have driven 3k since the diagnosis of the balance shaft. CEL still comes on then disappears, still drives fine no noises or noticeable changes.

Unless the CEL will mess with emissions testing (if you need it in your area), drive it until you can't. My local dealer has an customer with an ML350 that has been driving it with similar results that you're having (occasional CEL, etc.), but drives fine, for an absurd amount of miles. >60 or 80k if I remember correctly.

144k...Still going.

mine 2006 do the same, fill up the gas and CEL went off. p0016 and p0017 code.

just recently, about 300 miles ago, my car sitting at 121k right now.