98 E300TD Electronic Engine Malfunction? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

F18 · #16 04-13-2006, 10:36 AM

Thanks for the info. Marty.
I found some compatable with E series Mercedes so they must be that ISO format you mentioned.
I will probably pick up a self contained unit.....because I just destroyed my 4th or 5th Lap-Top. I just bounce them around too much! Need a reader thats stupid-simple......
Cheers,
FRED

aklim · #17 04-13-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhdoc

The Bosch MAF (AMM) is about $150 on the aftermarket. Mine needed one last summer. It threw the code and when I replaced it I reset the code and never had another trouble. The CE light doesn't mean the MAF is completely bad, just out of range so the car could still be running perfectly fine even though it is faulty.

Mass Air Flow Sensor alternative

F18 · #18 04-13-2006, 06:34 PM

Picked up an Actron PocketScan today from Auto Zone...works great!
Its showing a code PO243...which is Turbo/Sup Wastegate Solenoid A Malfunction. Something I would have never thought of without it.
I guess I'll be starting a new thread........
Thanks All!

F18 · #19 04-14-2006, 06:17 PM

Just one last follow-up......
Wastegate, actuator and turbo were OK
Swapped the wastegate solenoid with the identical one from the EGR valve and bingo! The OBD system followed the bad solenoid to its new location on the EGR valve. Code changed from P0243 to P0400 which reads "EGR Flow Malfunction". So that confirms that the solenoid is shot or at least the electric sensor built into it is not working.
This code reader is pretty slick!!!!

nhdoc · #20 04-15-2006, 09:17 AM

Yes, I had this one too...you can search under the PO fault and find the prior posting on it. The vacuum solenoid cost $117 or thereabouts...it's an easy part to debug when you know that the EGR system has the same one...well done!

F18 · #21 04-15-2006, 10:36 AM

Marty,
Have done a search through several online catalogs and no one seems to stock the solenoid. Is this strictly a MB dealer part? Funny....both of my solenoids say "Made in the USA"

Matt L · #22 04-15-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

Although a bad glow plug is cheaper than a MAF sensor!?

I doubt that. You'll want to replace all six while you have it apart.

F18 · #23 04-18-2006, 08:35 PM

Final update...replaced the bad solenoid and was able to reset CEL and erase the code.

Interesting observation....that may be elementary to some of you.....but before I installed the new wastegate solenoid I had switched the malfunctioning one back and forth with the good one from the EGR. No matter where the bad one was connected I had no boost and the car was slow slow slow...it ran like a non-turbo'd diesel. I left the bad solenoid on the EGR for easier access and when I replaced it today with the new one I just bought I had boost again. The cars performance changed dramatically. So I guess the two solenoids somehow work in tandem. They must be tied together electronically or through the vacuum circut.
Cheers,

nhdoc · #24 04-18-2006, 10:15 PM

Sorry, F18, I didn't see your prior question...sounds like you found the part...yeah, it's from the dealer and most have to order it. Mine got it the next day and like I said the price was $117 or thereabouts. I took my old one apart and saw lots of dirt below the outlet that goes to the actuator. I posted that someone out to try blowing compressed air into it and seeing if this cleaned enough to get it working again. Once you open them they are not made for re-closing, but now that I see how it works I will try to clean one if I ever get another CEL from it.

Here's the prior thread I posted it to:

CEL P0243 Malfunction in Wastegate Solenoid A Help Please!!!

F18 · #25 04-18-2006, 11:00 PM

Marty,
I did finally see your other thread and had tried to blow out the solenoid...even injected it with rubbing alcohol with a syringe to flush out any debris. The valves seemed to work fine. The electric/sensor portion of the solenoid was probably shot.

Found the Solenoid in stock at a Mercedes Dealer in Portsmouth, NH. for $115.00. Had to do some business up there today so I picked it up. The other MB dealers in Hyannis, Ma and Tiverton, Rhode Island did not have it in stock but would order it if I prepayed.. and was going to charge me $22.00 dollars more + sales tax for the privledge!!! What a bunch of horse thieves!

nhdoc · #26 04-19-2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

Marty,
I did finally see your other thread and had tried to blow out the solenoid...even injected it with rubbing alcohol with a syringe to flush out any debris. The valves seemed to work fine. The electric/sensor portion of the solenoid was probably shot.

Found the Solenoid in stock at a Mercedes Dealer in Portsmouth, NH. for $115.00. Had to do some business up there today so I picked it up. The other MB dealers in Hyannis, Ma and Tiverton, Rhode Island did not have it in stock but would order it if I prepayed.. and was going to charge me $22.00 dollars more + sales tax for the privledge!!! What a bunch of horse thieves!

I've never heard of a dealer charging extra to order parts they don't have in stock...that's just unbelievable. The dealers stock so few parts today that when I find one is in stock I know it is something that must go bad so often that they basically can't avoid having them.

It's funny that as bad as my experience has been with the local MB dealer's service department, that I can say the parts people are completely the opposite. In Manchester, there's one clerk by the name of Dona who will basically spend as much time as it takes to help track down the right part for me even if it is just a buck or two...so now I buy OEM parts most of the time, even if they are more expensive.

I just call them, give them the part # from the EPC and in a day or so they call me to come and pick them up (no prepayment, shipping fees or extra surcharge, and of course there is no sales tax in NH...in fact they give me 10% off list prices for being a MBCA member).

aklim · #27 04-19-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

The other MB dealers in Hyannis, Ma and Tiverton, Rhode Island did not have it in stock but would order it if I prepayed.. and was going to charge me $22.00 dollars more + sales tax for the privledge!!! What a bunch of horse thieves!

Only time I heard of that happening is if I was ordering a part and needed it immediately and they had it in stock at the warehouse and I told them to overnight it. That was with GM tho.

F18 · #28 04-19-2006, 02:41 PM

The two MB Dealers up here that did not stock the solenoid wanted me to prepay $137.50 and the other $134.50 + tax and then they would order the part. They did not come right out and say they were charging me more because they had to special order it.

The MB Dealer in Portsmouth, NH had the part in stock and charged me $115.00 total (The state of NH has no sales tax). The parts manager there told me that the "Manufacturers Suggested Retail" on the solenoid is $115.00 and thats what he charged me. I am in the wholesale business....and a MSR is usually set at a decent profit margin for a retailer/dealer. The other two MB Dealers were just being "pirates" so I'll take my business some place else...

#29 04-19-2006, 05:58 PM

I had the same problem on my 98 E300D. When I switched out the valves, the code did not change. It was still a P0243.

I never got an EGR code and the problem only happen immediately after starts on colder days (below 40).

Upon using Mercedes Technical Website for $19 for 24 hours, I pulled down the manuals for the engine.

They had test specification and one of the resolutions was to replace the vacuum filter that vents to the atmosphere.

I did replace the filter vents and the problem went away. We have had about 4 cold mornings since then and so far nothing - it has been very consistent.

I didn't want to replace the actuator because the Wastegate code should have disappeared and an EGR code appear when I switched them.

Well, I'm not calling this one quite done yet, I just need some more cold mornings to prove it out - and I don't think I'll be seeing those for several months.