Check engine light, multiple cylinder misfires
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 114
Likes: 18
2001 ML320 (gave to family member), 2007 GL450
Check engine light, multiple cylinder misfires
Good afternoon all!My 2012 ML 350 started having the check engine light blinking and then is now on. For the past couple days symptoms have gotten progressively worse in starting the vehicle. Before, it would take five seconds to start, and for the past two days, it would not start at all or will take 15 seconds. of a note, I already replaced all the spark plugs and ignition coils from almost $1000 a couple weeks ago. Having a hard time starting now.
Engine codes:
P008972
P008992
P008700
P030485
P030685
P030585
P030085
I’m not entirely certain it is just a single fuel injector problems. Could it be a fuel pump problem?
It has 186k miles now.
I would greatly appreciate any help.
Thank you!
Engine codes:
P008972
P008992
P008700
P030485
P030685
P030585
P030085
I’m not entirely certain it is just a single fuel injector problems. Could it be a fuel pump problem?
It has 186k miles now.
I would greatly appreciate any help.
Thank you!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 6,776
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
hard-start misfires
Good afternoon all!My 2012 ML 350 started having the check engine light blinking and then is now on. For the past couple days symptoms have gotten progressively worse in starting the vehicle. Before, it would take five seconds to start, and for the past two days, it would not start at all or will take 15 seconds. of a note, I already replaced all the spark plugs and ignition coils from almost $1000 a couple weeks ago. Having a hard time starting now.
Engine codes:
P008972
P008992
P008700
P030485
P030685
P030585
P030085
I’m not entirely certain it is just a single fuel injector problems. Could it be a fuel pump problem?
It has 186k miles now.
I would greatly appreciate any help.
Thank you!
Engine codes:
P008972
P008992
P008700
P030485
P030685
P030585
P030085
I’m not entirely certain it is just a single fuel injector problems. Could it be a fuel pump problem?
It has 186k miles now.
I would greatly appreciate any help.
Thank you!
Is there any way you can translate codes numbers with english description ?
I'm with you on checking fuel pump pressure next.
Your tank pump + filter maybe overdue.
Engine codes: ???
P008972
P008992
P008700
P030485
P030685
P030585
P030085
> Buy a more modern scanner to help save your troubleshooting time.
Launch, Xtool, Kingbolen,... ~$130 budget or less.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Mar 17, 2026 at 05:09 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 880
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Misfiring in spite of all new ignition parts or BECAUSE of all new ignition parts?
How was your car running prior to the new parts? Did you use OEM or aftermarket for your new parts?
Did you DIY or pay someone to do it? If DIY you know if something went wrong... did anything go wrong? Screws not tight, plugs cross threaded, electrical connection didn't feel right when it snapped together, an electrical connection for something else got compromised, etc.? If a shop did the work, I'd be inclined to give them a chance to look it over unless you have a good reason not to.
A good scanner will really be helpful, as CBD rightly pointed out above.
How was your car running prior to the new parts? Did you use OEM or aftermarket for your new parts?
Did you DIY or pay someone to do it? If DIY you know if something went wrong... did anything go wrong? Screws not tight, plugs cross threaded, electrical connection didn't feel right when it snapped together, an electrical connection for something else got compromised, etc.? If a shop did the work, I'd be inclined to give them a chance to look it over unless you have a good reason not to.
A good scanner will really be helpful, as CBD rightly pointed out above.
Last edited by rapidoxidation; Mar 17, 2026 at 09:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 114
Likes: 18
2001 ML320 (gave to family member), 2007 GL450
Thank you very much for the information. I had a local indy shop do the spark plugs + coils recently. I took it to a different shop this time, and they noticed that it was due to a bad fuel injector on coil 5. He said the fuel "flooded" the spark plugs and it looks bad. Also, there is now fuel coming out of the exhaust because of this flooding. He quoted me $1200 to replace the one bad injector :-/
I'm debating whether to even go through with this repair. Would appreciate any feedback/thoughts.
Thank you!
I'm debating whether to even go through with this repair. Would appreciate any feedback/thoughts.
Thank you!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 6,776
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
parts canon magic??
Thank you very much for the information. I had a local indy shop do the spark plugs + coils recently. I took it to a different shop this time, and they noticed that it was due to a bad fuel injector on coil 5. He said the fuel "flooded" the spark plugs and it looks bad. Also, there is now fuel coming out of the exhaust because of this flooding.
He quoted me $1200 to replace the one bad injector :-/
I'm debating whether to even go through with this repair. Would appreciate any feedback/thoughts.
Thank you!
He quoted me $1200 to replace the one bad injector :-/
I'm debating whether to even go through with this repair. Would appreciate any feedback/thoughts.
Thank you!
- All new ignition
- boat load of faults
- one leaky $1200 injector
It is very hard to second guess sales oriented tales.
You best need to deal with a Mercedes specialist you can TRUST.
Forum help swap notes with hands-on DIY'ers. We don't know what faults are "active"...
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Mar 19, 2026 at 05:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 114
Likes: 18
2001 ML320 (gave to family member), 2007 GL450
Thank you very much, I appreciate it. As recommended, I may just take it to a Mercedes dealer. I’m sure they will charge me $200 to diagnose it, but it’s probably worth it to at least figure out exactly what’s wrong.
thank you very much again
thank you very much again
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 114
Likes: 18
2001 ML320 (gave to family member), 2007 GL450
So I took it to a local independent mechanic, and he replaced the fuel injector, and did a complete oil change again. He also changed one of the spark plugs I believe. Overall, he charged me about $850+ but this doesn’t include the $150 I paid for the fuel injector. I think it was an OK price. I’m also noticing that the catalytic converter is clogged now. All other codes went away. I talked to the Mercedes dealer this afternoon, and he said it was $3300 to replace the catalytic converter, and the car is only worth around $1500 at this point with this many miles. Lol he told me not to fix it, and we agreed I’ll probably just drive it to the ground at this point.
