ml320: blinking gas light at idle, then check engine - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rideswaves · #1 01-08-2004, 01:47 PM

hello out there and thanks in advance.

i have a 2000 ml320, around 84k miles and a strange problem occurred recently.

i was on the highway, pulled into a rest stop and put the car into park. when i opened my door, the gas warning light started blinking. it continued blinking until i turned off the car, miles later.

now, the check engine light is on for the past 4 or 5 days. Checked the gas cap, seems fine, and stopped and started the car a dozen times to try to clear the light....
still on!

last time i idled, the blinking gas light happened again.

any ideas?? this car has cost me soooo much money in repairs - i'd love to have a clue so i dont get ripped off at the dealership again!!!

thanks
/christina

rideswaves · #2 01-08-2004, 04:23 PM

please. thank uuuuuu!

blackmercedes · #3 01-08-2004, 05:00 PM

Sounds like the gas cap gasket has failed. If you check your owner's manual, you'll find that the blinking fuel light is an indicator that the fuel cap is off. If the car thinks this, I would first try replacing the cap.

The fuel system is a sealed system and any leakage (air incl) is considered a fault. This is die to strict emissions controls.

Now, this is not the proper procedure. This is the "toss parts at it" approach. You should really have the codes read and try to figure out the problem prior to buying anything. However, a new gas cap might be a cheap first try...

rideswaves · #4 01-08-2004, 05:13 PM

thanks John!
i will try that first!
better to buy one at the parts store than get charged$90/hr and $100 for a new cap.

sdanville · #5 01-22-2004, 11:55 AM

dear ride waves.

i went to the dealer because my check engine light was on and i thought the only way to reset it was a dealer reset.
They told my it was most likely my EGR Valve. $250ish to fix and a couple hours. I did not have them do it. Through this web page, I found it could just be a plugged EGR Tube. I took that off, cleaned it, ran Gumout emmission reducer in the gas, followed by mystery oil and my light went off and my idle is good. So if it tuns good, wait it out and it could save you $75 for a reset.

my light went off

nguyensteve · #6 01-23-2004, 03:43 PM

dont make the same mistake as I did

2000 E430
Ridewave ,, did you ran out off gas.

It was over the weekend when my gas indicatal flash, so I guess that I am low on fuel. I thought I could over for another 10-15miles. However, after less than a miles my engine light flash and the engine shut down. I was totally out of gas. Had friend came by to fill me up, got a fall tank of gas again
But now the Check Engine Light stay led.

Hook up my OBDII scanner, and got code
P0300, P0303, P0305, P0307 and P400,
P0300 trigger the Check Engine light.
P0303 - misfire on cyclinder # 3
P0305 - misfire on cyc # 5
P0307 - misfire on cyc #7
P0400 - evap not working.

Clear the Check Engine with the Scanner.

Test drive.

Everything is fine.

manny · #7 01-23-2004, 03:52 PM

What make and model of scanner are you using ?

nguyensteve · #8 01-23-2004, 03:57 PM

Here is the info for OBD II scanner

I use a Palm M505

http://www.auterraweb.com/

this software company also sell on Ebay.

They are very helpful.

Thanks,
Steve

Benz300 · #9 08-02-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdanville

dear ride waves.

i went to the dealer because my check engine light was on and i thought the only way to reset it was a dealer reset.
They told my it was most likely my EGR Valve. $250ish to fix and a couple hours. I did not have them do it. Through this web page, I found it could just be a plugged EGR Tube. I took that off, cleaned it, ran Gumout emmission reducer in the gas, followed by mystery oil and my light went off and my idle is good. So if it tuns good, wait it out and it could save you $75 for a reset.

my light went off

was the low fuel light blinking as well. "what mystery oil" did you use ? and did you clean any parts like EGR valve etc ?