Oil pump solenoids
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
Gentleman , I’ve read this whole thread and I’m not sure it covers my issue lol. I have a CEL on my car and it’s giving the P06DA code. How do I know it’s in high stage 2 oil mode and not the lower one? Test the oil pressure? Then if in high …disconnect and replace with dummy solenoid? This will delete the CEL? I start the car just fine I think , I hear the hemi tick a little bit but not too crazy(prolly bc I mixed 5w-40!and 5w-30 just a couple quarts ) …for reference I have the M276 engine and a 2019 gle400. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 512
Likes: 86
From: Bulgaria
C43 AMG '17 / Stage II
Gentleman , I’ve read this whole thread and I’m not sure it covers my issue lol. I have a CEL on my car and it’s giving the P06DA code. How do I know it’s in high stage 2 oil mode and not the lower one? Test the oil pressure? Then if in high …disconnect and replace with dummy solenoid? This will delete the CEL? I start the car just fine I think , I hear the hemi tick a little bit but not too crazy(prolly bc I mixed 5w-40!and 5w-30 just a couple quarts ) …for reference I have the M276 engine and a 2019 gle400. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
so my radiator is cracked too so it takes a while for the heat to come to working temp on the car. I have to drive it 15 min about to get up to working temp. If I sit idle my gauge starts losing heat , not sure if I can tell about the oil heat or water
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
they’re quoting me 5500 to replace the solenoid and 1800 for the new radiator replacement ..I’d rather just unplug it and repair the radiator if possible lol otherwise I have to junk the car I think
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 512
Likes: 86
From: Bulgaria
C43 AMG '17 / Stage II
5.5k ugh.. better visit another garage indy if possible this is ridiculous price quote, also for radiator price is too high quote...
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
thank you for explaining, damn yeah this is a Mercedes Benz dealer in south jersey. I will see if maybe I can find a shop around here that’s cheaper , but I will test the oil pressure atleast. Wish I studied being a mechanic and not engineering lol I’d rather pay for guidance and I’ll do it myself ..labor is ridiculous haha …so can I drive it like this with the CEL on? I didn’t notice any real difference in driving but I didn’t drive it long. It idles fine and when I rev it sounds fine but idk …if it is in low pressure mode I have no choice but to fix it correct ?
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
Gentleman , I’ve read this whole thread and I’m not sure it covers my issue lol. I have a CEL on my car and it’s giving the P06DA code. How do I know it’s in high stage 2 oil mode and not the lower one? Test the oil pressure? Then if in high …disconnect and replace with dummy solenoid? This will delete the CEL? I start the car just fine I think , I hear the hemi tick a little bit but not too crazy(prolly bc I mixed 5w-40!and 5w-30 just a couple quarts ) …for reference I have the M276 engine and a 2019 gle400. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
On a side note, I am not a big fan of mixing viscosities more than necessary when changing oil and switching viscosities. If you are going to mix (for whatever reason) it’s best to stay with the same brand and formula group.
Last edited by GTIBlack; Dec 30, 2025 at 12:18 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
The only true way to know is to physically measure the oil pressure. I think JettaRed posted a video on how to do this a while back. There are also instructions in WIS how to do this. Anything else is only a best guess. I would not trust how quickly the oil heats up since the oil temperature is calculated and not measured. There is no oil temperature sensor on the M276. Plus, there are a number of factors that determine how quickly the oil reaches operating temperature and it seems to vary a lot among those of us paying attention.
On a side note, I am not a big fan of mixing viscosities more than necessary when changing oil and switching viscosities. If you are going to mix (for whatever reason) it’s best to stay with the same brand and formula group.
On a side note, I am not a big fan of mixing viscosities more than necessary when changing oil and switching viscosities. If you are going to mix (for whatever reason) it’s best to stay with the same brand and formula group.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
Yeah I’ll search for one, and sadly I did not. I won’t buy another car until I get a PPI from now on. I bought it preowned at a Volvo dealer ..prolly should’ve raised some flags but I was 4 years younger and dumber 😂
Senior Member
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 459
Likes: 164
From: Endless Mtns. PA
2014 E63 AMG wagon 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 1970 AMC AMX
Go to an MB dealer with proof of ownership and they should give You any service history they have. I got Mine from an MB dealer in Ohio for a Canadian market car.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 512
Likes: 86
From: Bulgaria
C43 AMG '17 / Stage II
If solenoid is in position to have low pressure thats not good at all and you shouldn't drive the car
my assumption for getting operating temperatures from cold start quicker when solenoid is unplugged is because the same way i drive from cold start on winter and i noticed there's much quicker in reaching opereting temps than plugged solenoid despite the calculation of temps as I make comparisons with the same conditions
first time when you pull the dipstic always shows empty don't worry, you should put it back and only then you will know how much oil have, and better stick with 5w40 or 0w40, dont rely too much on garage to decide what oil to put
my assumption for getting operating temperatures from cold start quicker when solenoid is unplugged is because the same way i drive from cold start on winter and i noticed there's much quicker in reaching opereting temps than plugged solenoid despite the calculation of temps as I make comparisons with the same conditions
first time when you pull the dipstic always shows empty don't worry, you should put it back and only then you will know how much oil have, and better stick with 5w40 or 0w40, dont rely too much on garage to decide what oil to put
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
If solenoid is in position to have low pressure thats not good at all and you shouldn't drive the car
my assumption for getting operating temperatures from cold start quicker when solenoid is unplugged is because the same way i drive from cold start on winter and i noticed there's much quicker in reaching opereting temps than plugged solenoid despite the calculation of temps as I make comparisons with the same conditions
first time when you pull the dipstic always shows empty don't worry, you should put it back and only then you will know how much oil have, and better stick with 5w40 or 0w40, dont rely too much on garage to decide what oil to put
my assumption for getting operating temperatures from cold start quicker when solenoid is unplugged is because the same way i drive from cold start on winter and i noticed there's much quicker in reaching opereting temps than plugged solenoid despite the calculation of temps as I make comparisons with the same conditions
first time when you pull the dipstic always shows empty don't worry, you should put it back and only then you will know how much oil have, and better stick with 5w40 or 0w40, dont rely too much on garage to decide what oil to put
thanks that’s good to know, I don’t get the low oil pressure gauge on my dash (if there is one) so maybe I’m in high oil pressure? I’ll see if I can make this shop check my oil pressure to make sure and this makes it all worse because of my cracked radiator so the readings are probably way off
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 512
Likes: 86
From: Bulgaria
C43 AMG '17 / Stage II
thanks that’s good to know, I don’t get the low oil pressure gauge on my dash (if there is one) so maybe I’m in high oil pressure? I’ll see if I can make this shop check my oil pressure to make sure and this makes it all worse because of my cracked radiator so the readings are probably way off
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
so dicey thing about adding 5w-40 was because when I pulled the dipstick out it was dry then when I put it back in and checked it was at min..so I didn’t know what they added so I guessed 5w40 until I called them and they said they changed it with 5w30 …idk if those 2 quarts I added was bad but I then checked the dipstick and it was at max ..some of the time though I’m pulling a dry dipstick the first time …is this normal?? Lmao I don’t think it is right? I mean I know it’s under vacuum but idk
At operating temperature, let the car set for 5 minutes. Pull the dipstick, wipe and reinsert for 3-5 seconds. Pull it again and check the level.
Between the high and low marks on the dipstick is approximately 1 quart. Adding two quarts when the oil level is at the minimum mark is way too much!
Since you are so nervous about this, measure the oil pressure (see attached). But, even if it is stuck in the low pressure position (which is doubtful because the power off position is at full pressure), remember that the solenoid does not deactivate until 3500 rpm normally. So, just drive gently until you figure this out.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
thanks that’s good to know, I don’t get the low oil pressure gauge on my dash (if there is one) so maybe I’m in high oil pressure? I’ll see if I can make this shop check my oil pressure to make sure and this makes it all worse because of my cracked radiator so the readings are probably way off
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
that’s awesome information, thank you. I’m almost halfway to another oil change , might as well change it out and get the right and correct amount in there. So Seems like I shouldn’t be too worried about this and just unplug it. I appreciate your response I was worried this would seize the engine eventually lol
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 512
Likes: 86
From: Bulgaria
C43 AMG '17 / Stage II
that’s awesome information, thank you. I’m almost halfway to another oil change , might as well change it out and get the right and correct amount in there. So Seems like I shouldn’t be too worried about this and just unplug it. I appreciate your response I was worried this would seize the engine eventually lol
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
Here’s a video that JettaRed made after he unplugged his solenoid. He used a mechanical pressure gauge to measure actual oil pressure.
https://youtu.be/OS1TmSA6iAc
https://youtu.be/OS1TmSA6iAc
just got word from my Mercedes tech …is he bull****ting me right now?
“From the technician theoretically someone could disconnect the the solenoid, but the oil pressure would default at 2 bar. That being said since oil pressure is defaulted to 2 bar you would run into the concern of not enough oil pressure to fully advance timing and or starving top end of oil when supply cannot meet demand.”
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
just got word from my Mercedes tech …is he bull****ting me right now?
“From the technician theoretically someone could disconnect the the solenoid, but the oil pressure would default at 2 bar. That being said since oil pressure is defaulted to 2 bar you would run into the concern of not enough oil pressure to fully advance timing and or starving top end of oil when supply cannot meet demand.”
“From the technician theoretically someone could disconnect the the solenoid, but the oil pressure would default at 2 bar. That being said since oil pressure is defaulted to 2 bar you would run into the concern of not enough oil pressure to fully advance timing and or starving top end of oil when supply cannot meet demand.”
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: NJ
2011 Mercedes E550 Cabriolet Sport, 2019 GLE400 4MATIC
yep thank you I figured he was just saying that, I get dealerships probably won’t do that and just disconnect it which is why he’s giving me the run around and just wants the money to replace . I told him to unplug it and measure the oil pressure for me at higher rpm’s. I guess we see what he comes back with soon lol
Banned
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 477
Likes: 187
From: US
Mercedes SL R231
yep thank you I figured he was just saying that, I get dealerships probably won’t do that and just disconnect it which is why he’s giving me the run around and just wants the money to replace . I told him to unplug it and measure the oil pressure for me at higher rpm’s. I guess we see what he comes back with soon lol
