heng326

Hi,
I put my car on jack stands and removed all four wheels, then I started the engine and run it for a while. After I reinstalled all wheels and had a test drive, I noticed the check engine warning staying ON. I am wondering if Running the engine when the car on jack stands damages the engine? Please help!

cetialpha5

Don't wonder, know. Get a scanner that read error codes like the Autel AP200, also does all MB specific codes. And why would you even run the engine with the car on jack stands? Anyway, it wouldn't cause any damage but it might have triggered a code that will either clear on it's own after a while or you need to clear it manually once you have the scanner. Could just be a coincidence and it had nothing to do with it being on jack stands.

heng326

Thank you for your reply!
I run the engine with the car on jack stands so the brake rotors can spin then I can use a die grinder to remove the rotor raised edges. Actually it triggered few warnings such as parking brake, ABS etc, also caused the engine cooling fans running crazy, but other warning cleared except engine warning after test drive.

heng326

Today I found my check engine warning cleared, it has taken 4 drives. So it's ok to run the engine with the car on jack stands. It is a very good idea to grind the brake discs using angle grinder 😄

Diesel Benz

I'd still like to see the codes (not too late, stored codes still exist). The ABS/ESP etc. codes are obvious and not harmful but I cannot see why "free running" wheels would fire the check engine light.

Anyway, very good that the light went off, hope it stays off.

heng326

Thank you for your reply!
My blue tooth ODB code reader does not work on 2018E300, I need to buy a new one.I ran the engine at idle speed for about 20 minutes and the radiator fan was turned on and ran very loud. After I turned off the engine, the fan still ran for very long time, then I hold the start button for few seconds to turn off it. This may triggered the check engine warning?

W205C43PFL

How bad were the raised edges, I guess to prevent them from forming again, use aftermarket brake pads (maybe?) and/or aftermarket rotors.

heng326

Yesterday, the check engine light came on again. I checked with obd2 scanner and found a code P0128, coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature. Is this a new code or the previous one?

cetialpha5

Why not get a more advanced scanner that can read MB specific codes? They don't cost that much, I think an Autel Ap200 on Amazon is in the $50 range.

As for the thermostat, I suppose before it could have been too hot because you're not getting air circulation with the engine running and the low temperature is probably just a bad thermostat now.

heng326

I used a scanner model autolink al629, it doesn't support 2018 e300 specific codes. I cleared the fault code. today when I drove the car, I noticed the coolant temperature staying at 90 degrees celsius, no check engine light. is this the normal range?

cetialpha5

Yeah, that's closer to normal although sometimes it's a bit higher. You should just get the AP200, does more than your AL629, that's just a few subsystems instead of all like the AP200 and it's cheaper too as it doesn't have a screen, you use an app on your phone.

heng326

The raised edges are about 2 mm high, the rotors and brake pads has about 40000 km, I am going to replace the pads soon.

W205C43PFL

I see.

heng326

I just checked ap200 on Amazon, but not sure if it supports my 2018 E300(w213). There are many obd2 scanners there, but most of them don't support new cars. Do you know about it?

taphil

P0128 sounds like the code for thermostat stuck open. Coolant circulates before its temp rises to the thermostat's opening temp.

Happened on my old E63, thermostat replaced under warranty. CEL came on, and I noticed temp gauge was only half way up instead of 2/3 way up after freeway driving.

heng326

Hi, thanks for your reply. What's the actual temperature when your temp gauge was 2/3up? My coolant temp gauge reading stays at 90 degrees celsius.

joshg1001

Try clearing the code and see if it comes back within 5 days. If so, it is an open thermostat. I just had mine replaced at an independent shop and it cost me $1,200. After he completed the work, he said he would charge more for the next customer since the thermostat on this car is buried deep and the exhaust manifold needs to be taken out.

heng326

I have confirmed with the manufacturer Autel US support, the tool AP200 only covers to 2017, my car is 2018 E300, I would need a MX808 or higher tablet.

cetialpha5

That's interesting didn't know it had a year limit, it's not mentioned anywhere. Anyway, there's a lot of other ones out there that read all system codes. icarsoft, launch, etc.

heng326

I have checked many obd2 scanners, most of them have year limit, they just don't mention it. Icarsoft MB 3.0 COMPATIBLE WITH Mercedes-Benz/Sprinter/Smart-This full function diagnostic tool is compatible with OBD2 (1996-2019) vehicle models. There is a year limit 2019. It should work on my car. I guess all new cars have 4 years manufacturer warranty, therefore obd2 scanner manufacturers don't need to make tools to cover the new cars.

ua549

Not all MB markets offer a 4 year warranty.

heng326

I cleared the code 5 days ago.
Everything seems normal now. I think the thermostat is fine. hope it doesn't come back.