2005-2006 E320 CDI Buyers Guide, Common Problems, & Roll Call - Page 19 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kestreltom · #**271** 07-08-2017, 09:01 AM

After looking at a few CDIs in the Phoenix area, this one just showed up right here in Albuquerque... and it was in excellent shape.

So I took the plunge! I has about 190,000 miles at this point and I love it!
The first thing I did was solder up an EGR spoof circuit that basically keeps the EGR valve shut off while telling the ECU "no problem here, everything is working great!"
I went ahead and bought a Chinese Star/DAS system. I was able to check the number of SBC brake applications, and they were right up around 380,000 or so. I reset the SBC counters and will be bleeding the system before taking off on a trip to Vancouver,BC in a few weeks.
If you don't have the active curve HID factory headlights, then the oem halogens are simply inadequate. I am upgrading the H7 headlight bulbs to HID, but Mbz used a wierd metal retainer clip to hold the bulbs in place that is a bear to work on.
The last of the great Mercedes inline 6 turbodiesels, what a car!

ROLLGUY · #**272** 07-08-2017, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestreltom

After looking at a few CDIs in the Phoenix area, this one just showed up right here in Albuquerque... and it was in excellent shape.

So I took the plunge! I has about 190,000 miles at this point and I love it!
The first thing I did was solder up an EGR spoof circuit that basically keeps the EGR valve shut off while telling the ECU "no problem here, everything is working great!"
I went ahead and bought a Chinese Star/DAS system. I was able to check the number of SBC brake applications, and they were right up around 380,000 or so. I reset the SBC counters and will be bleeding the system before taking off on a trip to Vancouver,BC in a few weeks.
If you don't have the active curve HID factory headlights, then the oem halogens are simply inadequate. I am upgrading the H7 headlight bulbs to HID, but Mbz used a wierd metal retainer clip to hold the bulbs in place that is a bear to work on.
The last of the great Mercedes inline 6 turbodiesels, what a car!

How long were you looking for a CDI? I ask because I bought one only a couple months ago in Albuquerque, and drove it back to CA.

Jimlam56 · #**273** 07-23-2017, 11:04 AM

Just picked up an 06 in Memphis and promptly drove it home to Florida.
600 plus miles without a fill-up, and more miles left in the tank!
Mine is black with 200,000 miles. 2 owners, always serviced at the Mercedes dealership with the headlight option, sunroof and HK sound system.
All for $6600.
You can see it here:

2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E320 Cdi Turbo Diesel | eBay

Very pleased with the purchase, still feels solid and powerful.
Looking forward to learning through this forum.
Any other owners in the Jacksonville area?
Thanks,
Jim

dorje · #**274** 07-24-2017, 10:19 PM

Changed out all the glow plugs. A snap. Thank you guys for the help.

HarvAMG · #**275** 07-25-2017, 05:06 PM

Jim, you stole that car. Damn.

dorje · #**276** 08-01-2017, 11:48 AM

The service display keeps showing days past due. I've done the interval "2/D" service but can't figure how to reset the service system. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Just returned from a 3k road trip to Idaho & Montana, Glacier Park without a hitch. 35mpg with mix of open hyw and mountain driving. Only complaint would be the slighty heavy steering.

shertex · #**277** 08-01-2017, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorje

The service display keeps showing days past due. I've done the interval "2/D" service but can't figure how to reset the service system. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Just returned from a 3k road trip to Idaho & Montana, Glacier Park without a hitch. 35mpg with mix of open hyw and mountain driving. Only complaint would be the slighty heavy steering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hvw-ROlxtsU

engatwork · #**278** 08-16-2017, 06:36 PM

A good friend of mine who I talked into picking up a nice 06 E320 CDI had a central gateway module failure this past weekend while he was at Fernandina Beach. Had it towed to the dealer in Jacksonville. Seems all the warning lights were going off like crazy and finally got where it would not start although the key would turn all the way to the right. Sounds like the module is located above the kick panel above the drivers feet area and is not much to replace but does have to be coded.

chronometers · #**279** 08-16-2017, 09:03 PM

Electronics on these make them a pleasure to drive but as this example shows can be an Achilles heal.

Grzpdlr · #**280** 01-21-2018, 12:04 PM

Started having some shift issues with my 2005 E320 CDI, delayed, clunky shift. Should have taken it to Sun Valley Transmission, those guys have been great. Instead I took it to House of Imports, Buena Park. First thing they noted was that transmission fluid had "wicked" all the way up and filled the transmission control module and it would need replacing for $1400, a part available everywhere for $400. Next they said they found some metal in the pan and the transmission would need to be replaced and they would make me a special deal on a rebuilt for $4000. Sun Valley offered one for $2000 but said just wash was off the TCM with contact cleaner and sees what happens. I told House of Imports to do that and give it back to me. Shifting was much better but still a little rough early in the morning. Sun Valley said try something, put a hair dryer on the shifter and warm it up prior to starting. It worked! So now I'm buying a new shifter, Ebay for $135, we'll see, but they don't get any better or more helpful than Sun Valley Transmissions, Van Nuys.

chronometers · #**281** 01-21-2018, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grzpdlr

Started having some shift issues with my 2005 E320 CDI, delayed, clunky shift. Should have taken it to Sun Valley Transmission, those guys have been great. Instead I took it to House of Imports, Buena Park. First thing they noted was that transmission fluid had "wicked" all the way up and filled the transmission control module and it would need replacing for $1400, a part available everywhere for $400. Next they said they found some metal in the pan and the transmission would need to be replaced and they would make me a special deal on a rebuilt for $4000. Sun Valley offered one for $2000 but said just wash was off the TCM with contact cleaner and sees what happens. I told House of Imports to do that and give it back to me. Shifting was much better but still a little rough early in the morning. Sun Valley said try something, put a hair dryer on the shifter and warm it up prior to starting. It worked! So now I'm buying a new shifter, Ebay for $135, we'll see, but they don't get any better or more helpful than Sun Valley Transmissions, Van Nuys.

What is the mileage on your vehicle? Has the ATF fluid been changed in past?

ROLLGUY · #**282** 01-21-2018, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grzpdlr

Started having some shift issues with my 2005 E320 CDI, delayed, clunky shift. Should have taken it to Sun Valley Transmission, those guys have been great. Instead I took it to House of Imports, Buena Park. First thing they noted was that transmission fluid had "wicked" all the way up and filled the transmission control module and it would need replacing for $1400, a part available everywhere for $400. Next they said they found some metal in the pan and the transmission would need to be replaced and they would make me a special deal on a rebuilt for $4000. Sun Valley offered one for $2000 but said just wash was off the TCM with contact cleaner and sees what happens. I told House of Imports to do that and give it back to me. Shifting was much better but still a little rough early in the morning. Sun Valley said try something, put a hair dryer on the shifter and warm it up prior to starting. It worked! So now I'm buying a new shifter, Ebay for $135, we'll see, but they don't get any better or more helpful than Sun Valley Transmissions, Van Nuys.

I had a similar issue with the shifting in a W210 last year (same transmission as the CDI), and asked Marc about it. After hours of dealing with this issue on a customers car, he thought about the cold weather causing the shift selector switch to not give the TCM proper information. He suggested the same thing, heating up the cabin with a space heater, or the shifter area with a hair drier. I had the same results, the car shifted perfectly after that. The problem is the range selector switch in the shifter. I took the shifter from my parts car and the car has been working fine ever since. I replaced the conductor plate and adapter (the part that the TCM wiring connects to) prior, thinking that it was the problem, but it changed nothing. Marc has more knowledge and experience with these transmissions than anyone I am aware of, so he is my go-to guy.

ROLLGUY · #**283** 01-21-2018, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

What is the mileage on your vehicle? Has the ATF fluid been changed in past?

X2. A shifting issue was solved in my first CDI by changing the trans fluid. I was able to get a full 8 quarts out by using compressed air through the cooler line. My car had the original fluid with 180,000 miles on the odo. The car has over 200,000 on it now and shifts perfectly.

EDIT: My memory failed me, this one had 193,000 on it when I did the service. My original CDI had 180,000 when I did the service.

Grzpdlr · #**284** 01-21-2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chronometers

What is the mileage on your vehicle? Has the ATF fluid been changed in past?

84k, don't know if changed before, I just got it. The dealer, drained and replaced 4 quarts.

ROLLGUY · #**285** 01-21-2018, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grzpdlr

84k, don't know if changed before, I just got it. The dealer, drained and replaced 4 quarts.

The factory fluid is a different color than all aftermarket (red). If they used factory fluid, it should be the same color (greenish?). If they only got 4 quarts out, then actually only half the fluid was replaced. That is okay though, changing the fluid at 84k seems to be a good interval in my opinion. I added a tube of "Shudder Fix" (friction modifier) to stop the lockup clutch shudder problem the car was having. It fixed it right away, and has not had a problem since. I also used Valvoline Max-Life Synthetic ATF.