taam4t

Have a 2007 SL550 with about 24,000 miles. Tonight, leaving work, the check engine light came on after I had driven about a mile or so. I stopped a mile or so later, shut the car off, checked the gas cap (it appears fine) and started it up - CEL still on. The car fells and performs perfectly fine.

I'll be calling for a service appointment first things tomorrow as this happened just after 7pm so they're all closed. But my concern is that the nearest Mercedes dealer is about 200 miles away. If the car still feels and drives normally, is it safe to make that trip? I'm thinking that unless the car throws up a more severe warning or goes into 'limp home' mode, I should be ok.

Thoughts?

m4xm1l10n

Make sure you check something first. most dealer offers free pick up since the car is still under the factory warranty . that is why you have a factory warranty. it might be something easy like a MASS AIR ., but who knows. check on the free pick up man cuz VITI MERCEDES here in RI picks car up even in NY if the costumer is down for it !!!!and that is 150- 200 miles away .

cyberay

The check engine light indicates a transient emission related fault. It could be a simple misfire so brief that it is neither felt nor heard. After a number of ignition on-off cycles the light will go off. Unless it continues to occur there's absolutely no need to travel 200 miles to a dealer who will likely just read out the fault code and tell you the same thing.

taam4t

You're right - it did go off later the next day. I brought the car in for service since I was heading in the direction, anyway...plus I had a few other minor things I wanted them to look at.

This is what they found (as written on my copy of the invoice):

Found RT exhaust camshaft adjustment solenoid defective
Performed short test codes: 0060
Performed test after short test
Replaced magnet camshaft adjustment right exhaust as per DTB S-B-03.30/08h
DC 05N0473

The part they replaced is listed as "Magnet". It was all done under warranty.

So is this a common thing?

cyberay

Glad you got it sorted out. Most of the check engine notifications are intermittent faults, the light extinguishes after a number of ignition cycles, and that's the end of it. In your case the mechanic claims to have found a cause and taken care of it. Just remember that the check engine light can come on for a multitude of reasons so if you see it again it can easily be for a different reason. One example is if you don't fully close the gas cap. I doubt you'll have any more trouble.