Hello everyone:
I know the check engine light has been visited many times, but I have some specific details and questions:

A) I have a 99ML320 w/60K miles
B) I had a low fuel condition with low fuel warning light
C) I stopped to get a car wash
D) I started the car and the check engine light came on.
E) I checked gas cap and it's tight
F) I filled up with my regular 93 octane to get rid of low fuel light
G) I restarted car and check engine light is still on.

So I have some questions:

A) Can I expect the light to go off after a few restart cycles or after driving a few hundred miles. (That's what I did on the C230 - the light just went away after a 200 mile trip)

B) Should I try disconnecting battery and reconnecting after a while? If so, how should I reset steering angle sensor when battery is reconnected?

Thanks for any insight/experiences...

Regards

I am having the same problem right now ... I am experiencing everything you experienced and did everything you did minus the car wash.

I am hoping the light will go away without any further action ... how did your situation work out?

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1998 Black/Black C280 Sport w/ 81,000 miles

On an ML or your C280? What applies to the ML may or may not apply to a W202, especially when you want to consider pattern failures.

Gilly

Its doing it on a 98 C280.

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1998 Black/Black C280 Sport w/ 81,000 miles

I'd start a new thread over at Tech Help Forum, more people are likely to see it there, rather than a C Class question on the ML forum.

Gilly

Ooops ... sorry ... I did a search for the problem I was having and found this thread that matched ... didn't notice I was in the ML, G-Wagen and Unimog section.
Thanks!

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1998 Black/Black C280 Sport w/ 81,000 miles

The light finally did go away - for 2 weeks.
So I bought a new Mass Air Flow Sensor for a couple hundred bucks, (took 5 minutes to replace) and it took about 4 or 5 days to clear the Check Engine Light indicator.

Ever since then the car runs smoother and there's no check engine light.

Thanks for the update .... I will have to take the car in to have the codes read to figure out if my problem is the same. I have a 98 C280 and have been told that though the symptoms sound similar it might be something totally different.

I had just gotten it back from the dealer the day before - they did schedule b service on it. When I got it back the air conditioning did not work (this is another story) and a day later the check engine light comes on after I filled it up with 94 octane after noticing that my low fuel indicator was on. I made sure the gas cap was seated properly and took off to find the light coming on a few miles down the road. I wiped the cap so that it would have good contact when closed and the light is still on. Of course all this happens at 5pm on Saturday so I couldn't even call anyone about the problems until today.

Back to the dealership ... I just spent enough money on the scheduled maintenance and I hope not to have to cough up another chunk of money to get this resolved.

Thanks again for the update!

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1998 Black/Black C280 Sport w/ 81,000 miles

I know this thread is played out but I'll contribute my 2 cents.
My check engine light has plagued me constantly for the past year. There is nothing more annoying then driving a Benz around with a check engine light that is constantly on.
Any who... I always tightened the cap, and followed the directions so not to upset the onboard computer god. Twist it, and make it click 3 times. But the light still illuminated. Annoyed.
Until one day I saw the light .... when a dainty, demur female gas attendant filled up my tank... I mean my ml's tank... and really twisted the cap hard 3 times. I was just making the ratchet click three times... when in reality you have to really twist the cap hard... 3 TIMES. I'll blame it on the technical writing in the manual, but the light has not been on since.
I guess now's a great time to sell it!

I don't think its your gas cap, if I was in your shoes the first thing I would do is actually replace the gas cap itself, the seals could be causing it to leak.. its cheap too.. like $20-30.. I believe the problem lies in your air mass sensors.. looks like this..

http://www.saveonautoparts.com/catalog/european/airmass

I'm selling them 50% off dealer prices.. Just my way of giving back to the Mercedesshop members.. Why I say air mass sensor? because it is a common problem with the ML...

Steven

Hightide ... I tried the twist x3 ... didn't work. I did manage to get the car back to the dealer so they could pull the codes for the check engine light ... they say it is bad left rear oxygen sensor which is a $318 item for part and install. I declined - they reset the light and I will wait to see if it comes on again or if I have a decrease in engine performance/mpg before I deal with it again.

I have gone through enough with this dealer that they wont be seeing this car again. I will go to another shop when the light comes on again, let them pull the codes and see what they find.

I am happy that little woman solved your problem ... there are still gas attendents where you live?? I haven't seen one of those in years!

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1998 Black/Black C280 Sport w/ 81,000 miles

Although the "Garden State" gets a lot of grief it still has some good traits... one of those "good things" is the gas station attendants!
Some others are the swamps, and the Bada Bing. Kidding.
Enough with slamming Jersey... I did have my mass air sensor replaced and the light still went on. I'll make a point of replacing the gas cap if the light pops on again, and if that does not work then maybe the oxygen sensor. I'm through with my dealer also.
I do occasional services with them to give the impression the vehicle has been "maintained" by the dealer.
How many oxygen sensors are in the tank??
BTW: I thought only Benz dealers could check codes??
Cheers...
Mike

You can get the codes checked by going to any auto parts store like Autozone. They do it for free too.