Intermittent Check Engine Light
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 21
Likes: 14
Intermittent Check Engine Light
Is anyone else experiencing intermittent "Check Engine Light On" messages?
I've had three occurrences in the past three months, including another one on Christmas Eve, which then disappeared yesterday.
I need to take the car to the shop today for diagnostics. The past two times, they have found some software issues; fortunately, nothing major. Still, the experience is frustrating.
Another design flaw is the single icon for the check engine light. As a driver, you can't tell whether the issue is with the electrical or combustion engine.
The first time the light came on, I mistakenly drove in electric mode to the diagnostics, thinking there was a problem with the combustion engine. However, the software errors were actually related to the hybrid system.
The second time, I switched off the hybrid engine and drove in combustion mode, but the problem turned out to be in the electrical system. Clearly, my troubleshooting skills are about as accurate as a weather forecast.
I'll update you on what the error is once I take the car to the shop for diagnostics. Until then, every drive feels like I'm on an episode of "Car Trouble Roulette."
I've had three occurrences in the past three months, including another one on Christmas Eve, which then disappeared yesterday.
I need to take the car to the shop today for diagnostics. The past two times, they have found some software issues; fortunately, nothing major. Still, the experience is frustrating.
Another design flaw is the single icon for the check engine light. As a driver, you can't tell whether the issue is with the electrical or combustion engine.
The first time the light came on, I mistakenly drove in electric mode to the diagnostics, thinking there was a problem with the combustion engine. However, the software errors were actually related to the hybrid system.
The second time, I switched off the hybrid engine and drove in combustion mode, but the problem turned out to be in the electrical system. Clearly, my troubleshooting skills are about as accurate as a weather forecast.
I'll update you on what the error is once I take the car to the shop for diagnostics. Until then, every drive feels like I'm on an episode of "Car Trouble Roulette."
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 541
From: Philadelphia, PA (USA)
2025 E53 Hybrid
If you search for "CEL" in the W214 forum you will find several forum members have reported an intermittent Check Engine Light. A few W214 owners have had a muffler replaced due to a faulty flap. Others like myself get the dealer "can't duplicate or no codes showing" treatment. Hopefully, MB will figure out what is going on and announce a recall to correct the issue.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 33,113
Likes: 6,560
Is anyone else experiencing intermittent "Check Engine Light On" messages?
I've had three occurrences in the past three months, including another one on Christmas Eve, which then disappeared yesterday.
I need to take the car to the shop today for diagnostics. The past two times, they have found some software issues; fortunately, nothing major. Still, the experience is frustrating.
Another design flaw is the single icon for the check engine light. As a driver, you can't tell whether the issue is with the electrical or combustion engine.
The first time the light came on, I mistakenly drove in electric mode to the diagnostics, thinking there was a problem with the combustion engine. However, the software errors were actually related to the hybrid system.
The second time, I switched off the hybrid engine and drove in combustion mode, but the problem turned out to be in the electrical system. Clearly, my troubleshooting skills are about as accurate as a weather forecast.
I'll update you on what the error is once I take the car to the shop for diagnostics. Until then, every drive feels like I'm on an episode of "Car Trouble Roulette."
I've had three occurrences in the past three months, including another one on Christmas Eve, which then disappeared yesterday.
I need to take the car to the shop today for diagnostics. The past two times, they have found some software issues; fortunately, nothing major. Still, the experience is frustrating.
Another design flaw is the single icon for the check engine light. As a driver, you can't tell whether the issue is with the electrical or combustion engine.
The first time the light came on, I mistakenly drove in electric mode to the diagnostics, thinking there was a problem with the combustion engine. However, the software errors were actually related to the hybrid system.
The second time, I switched off the hybrid engine and drove in combustion mode, but the problem turned out to be in the electrical system. Clearly, my troubleshooting skills are about as accurate as a weather forecast.
I'll update you on what the error is once I take the car to the shop for diagnostics. Until then, every drive feels like I'm on an episode of "Car Trouble Roulette."
I mean they both run MBUX 3.0, it is most likely outdated software or a weak battery being the cause.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 308
Likes: 76
2024 E350
It sounds like you have an E53 AMG. I have an E350 and I've only had the CEL come on once in the past year. I took my car to the dealer for a free car wash and when they gave me the car back I turned it on and the CEL was on. I turned the car off and on again to see if it would go away, but it didn't, so I told the service advisor and they hooked it up to the computer and gave it back to me in a few minutes. It hasn't come back on since and I haven't been back to the dealer for a free car wash since that happened.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 49
Likes: 10
2025 E53 AMG
E53 owner here and the CEL came on at least 4 times since I bought it 6 months ago. Once I took it to the dealer and they found nothing wrong. The advisor said if the engine light comes on and then turns back off then not to worry about it. Every other time it came on it turned off by itself before I was able to take it to the dealer. I just chalked it up to a software bug.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 45
Likes: 18
2026 G63, 2026 E53
CEL for me today. And a warning that said, "Performance Extremely Limited." Car went into something akin to limp mode and a little turtle icon appeared. Vehicle ran very rough. She got a flatbed ride to the dealership this evening. More to come.
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Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 235
Likes: 124
From: NH
26 E53 Wagon
Had my first CEL yesterday, and it went out this morning. I tried to see what the code was, but either my innova unit is too old (very possible, it's ancient), or MB has codes locked out for home mechanics.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
Likes: 182
From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
For any other manufacturer specific code the car must not use the CEL to indicate but use any other arbitrary method of alarm/alert.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 488
Likes: 160
From: DFW Texas
GL450, E450, Porsche 718 GTS
MB does have the code readers locked out. I was going to buy an iCarsoft reader but upon inquiry was told that due to MBs software, aftermarket readers can’t get in.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,440
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From: Philadelphia, PA (USA)
2025 E53 Hybrid
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 971
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From: DFW, TX
2014 E350 Wagon, 2025 GLC 350e, 2026 E53 Wagon
People often confuse manufacturer specific CAN bus and the open OBD2 standard. It's running on the same connector and cable but vastly different. As I said if the CEL is on its an OBD2 failure.
Member
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 235
Likes: 124
From: NH
26 E53 Wagon
You cannot lock out OBD2 CEL failure codes. They're government mandated open standard. Your emission check facility must be able to read them.
People often confuse manufacturer specific CAN bus and the open OBD2 standard. It's running on the same connector and cable but vastly different. As I said if the CEL is on its an OBD2 failure.
People often confuse manufacturer specific CAN bus and the open OBD2 standard. It's running on the same connector and cable but vastly different. As I said if the CEL is on its an OBD2 failure.
