Retrieving Pre-OBDII Diagnostic Data From ’94 SL500

[MB-Dude]

Originally Posted by JimF

Wow, you're good! Not just good but a

LOL!!! In my previous life, before retirement from Silicon Valley migraines, I did a lot of marketing for service contracts! Guess the verbiage never left me. Nevertheless, I really was amazed at the power of this little widget. Yes, it’s low-tech and you have to count flashes, etc. But, hey! For less than $20 *anyone* can troubleshoot a pre-OBDII Benz with good confidence. BTW – I am happy you could use the pics. I always believe a picture is worth a thousand moments of second guessing.

Originally Posted by JimF

Ahh . . . the infamous DTC#19 . . . check my page about halfway down and that can be fixed so you won't have to reset the CEL to pass smog!

I'd next replacet the brake stop lamp switch . . cheap to do and it has fixed a lot of suspect ETAs . . . Just as in my case, bad Neutral Safety Switch, that one also in in the 'path'. As you saw in MENU#24 (update: 10/19), replacing the NSW fixed my "ETA" problem.

Of course, reset all the codes and see what returns. . . .

Thanks for the insight. I have only moved about a 1/4 way through your web page… guess I just haven’t gotten there yet but will read it (obviously) with great interest. Thanks again for making the information available.

Cheers,
Jeff

[JimF]

Originally Posted by MB-Dude

Thanks for the insight. I have only moved about a 1/4 way through your web page… guess I just haven’t gotten there yet but will read it (obviously) with great interest. Thanks again for making the information available.

Cheers,
Jeff

You're welcome . . . . . thank you for applying your latent talents in earnest to conquer your project. You'll have it fixed in no time!

[MB-Dude]

- BUMP -

This issue is still open as I have not received the infamous DTC-19 EPROM from Jim yet. In fairness however, we both believe it was lost in the mail somewhere. This other mid-90's problem is also a bugger. Anyone have any other ideas?
Cheers,
Jeff

[JimF]

Originally Posted by MB-Dude

- BUMP -

This issue is still open as I have not received the infamous DTC-19 EPROM from Jim yet. In fairness however, we both believe it was lost in the mail somewhere. This other mid-90's problem is also a bugger. Anyone have any other ideas?
Cheers,
Jeff

Don't think so . . . it wasn't "lost" . . . it was 'stolen' as I explained in the email. There's a problem w/ the US mail that has peaked in the last few years. It's a shame and it's very prevalent.

In the past two years, I've lost 3 (this make 4), packages. Before that, I haven't lost a package in the USPS mail in 30+ years.

[MB-Dude]

Originally Posted by JimF

Don't think so . . . it wasn't "lost" . . . it was 'stolen' as I explained in the email. There's a problem w/ the US mail that has peaked in the last few years. It's a shame and it's very prevalent.

In the past two years, I've lost 3 (this make 4), packages. Before that, I haven't lost a package in the USPS mail in 30+ years.

Guess I was just trying to be polite. Regardless, Jim has followed though and shipped out another unit. (Thanks, Jim!) Anxiously awaiting its arrival.
Cheers,
Jeff

[MB-Dude]

Just to follow-up on this problem, I received the DTC-19 EPROM from Jim and replaced all the milky-white vacuum tubing in the engine compartment. I am pleased to announce that since this work, the CEL has *not* come on! Even after 14+ engine starts. Before, the CEL would come on after 5 engine starts. Therefore, I believe the problem is now behind me.

While the vacuum tubing needed to be replaced, I believe it was the EPROM replacement that actually fixed the problem. The only reason I changed the vacuum tubing was that I had a bunch left over from change-out on another car.

Thanks to Jim for making the chip available!

Cheers,
Jeff

[JimF]

Glad you're operational . . . fully operational! Time for a party!!

And you got the first package that I mailed. . . it must have been delivered by dog-sled . . all the way from California.

Glad it showed up . . now if you can get it back to me, that would be great!

[MB-Dude]

Just a bit of feedback... Since installing Jim's chip back in Nov 07, my CEL has not come on once. Car runs great and gets excellent gas mileage - ~17.5 mpg with a moderately heavy accelerator foot. Jim's chip did the job!
Cheers,
Jeff

[JimF]

Tnx for the feedback.

I've got a chance to do some freeway driving, first in a year or more. Got almost 22mpg(!) @ 80mph. . . . was I speeding??