I just hit my first code warning on my 95 E300D....I switched batteries with my 85 300D and now my radio just states "code".
Okay, I now understand I have "radio code" issue and barked up the wrong tree here. good grief...now I need to find radio pulling tools since I didn't get any documents with the car.


When I connect the negative to 1 and positive to 16 all i have to do is press the switch and the led lights up. Is that what is supposed to happen? I insert the third banana plug in 8, leave it on for 15 seconds while nothing flashes and nothing is cleared.
However, I'd still like to know if I assembled the code reader correctly. Is it supposed to generate a constant glow without insertion of the third (middle) lead into either 8 or 14?

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1991 300SL 71K miles young

Hi guys,

For my CA 1988 300TE, do I need a code reader or can I use that box near the battery with the red light to read codes?

Thanks

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

Sounds to me like you have the built in code reader. Check out that "geocites" link that is posted on page one of this thread.

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It's the little things that hold the big picture straight.


1991 300E - Present Car
1988 300CE - Gone but not by choice.

I created a comprehensive document with all the trouble codes for all the computer systems on the W124 with M104 (HFM) engine.

Click here to download it (1MB PDF file). This was created directly from the factory service documentation in the WIS.


Please note that the HFM system has mostly 3-digit digital codes, so the LED blink codes are only somewhat useful. Each LED blink code can have several meanings, and without a digital scanner, you won't know which of the several different items is the root cause of the error. For example, blink code 20 for HFM can mean upper or lower partial load, rich or lean. You don't know which of the four possible combinations is the real problem, without the 3-digit digital codes (051, 052, 053, 054 all translate into analog code "20"). Also, there are over a dozen digital codes which have no analog translation (#'s 114-144), see page 16 of the PDF file.

The document linked above is for the W124+M104 engine only... for the W124+M119 (V8 engines), click here.
For the W140 with M119.97x (V8 to 1995), click here.
I don't yet have documents created for the W124 with M103 or diesel engines.

Final comment... the built-in LED code reader on all cars does NOT show codes for all systems! On the W124+M104 (1993-95 E320), this will only show codes from the diagnostic module. Click here to see Arthur's post with some additional information about this. Remember, there is NOT a built-in code reader in ANY car that will show all the codes! You ALWAYS need a separate, hand-held code reader. And for those people who insist that old OBD-1 systems like HFM and LH have no live data available... click here to see a PDF file which proves them wrong. LH live data is on page 1, HFM live data is on page 2.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Can I use the information in this thread for a 1990 300E (3.0L gas engine)?Are the codes (and the code reader) appropriate . If not are the codes listed elsewhere?

Right.
If the car has a Built-in led/sw , it only address the DM module.. [ Diagnostics Module] ..and that module [ N/59] is nothing more than an Emmssions Monitoring/ Fault Detscting Module . If that module detects an emmission fault , you can go get that basic info with the built-in button.

Any of the actual Engine Mangement and chassis running gear modules [ HFM/EA/CC/ASR/ Etc]... have to be gotten from the other sockets and require a scanner or , at the least , the home-made Led/Sw tool.

The only reason for the DM and the CE lamp is to notify a warning that an Emmissions mandate fault is present in the cars emmisions system and it will not pass an emmissions testing and should be addressed..........
The cause of that fault can come from one of the other management systems , but if other faults in the other modules will not effect the emmissions standards, it will not show up in either the CE lamp or the built-in led.
So, if one does have a couple of codes w/PB , they want to further investigate the cause/s by going into the other modules.
An example would be a code on the DM that simply states "Igniton Fault'... ...b/c it has talked to the HFM module and the DM knows that a mis-fire in the Ignition will effect the cars Emmssions...now , by going into the HFM module, you can get a more specific ignition fault with the Flash tool, [ like coil # T3 output ] and if you actually had a HHT digital scanner , you could get an even more refined Ignition fault specific.
These late OBD1 systems do not get the credit they rightfully are due, and although the were crude in comparison to the OBD2 generation, they cetainly were cool for that time...and I have personally seen hundreds , [ if not thousands] of broken cars right here on this Forum in my 10 years that got fixed with the aid of that diagnostics capability..even just the built-in LED gave some direction, never mind the Homemade one or a digital scanner.
As one looks back, it was crude , but at that time , it was the balls....

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A Dalton

You have an M103 engine with CIS injection. This thread is about an M104 engine with HFM injection. Totally different animals, totally different codes.

The LED code reader discussed is appropriate for your 1990 300E, but you will need to find a code list elsewhere. I don't have that list compiled yet - sorry!

Jgood, as gsxr said, your setup is similar, but has some differences. You have a 16-pin data link connector. Instead of using Pins 8 and 14, you use Pins 3 and 14.

For more detail, go to Post 8 on this thread, click on the link, and you'll find more information specific to your model on pages 24, 25, and 28.

Mine is the 1986, 103-300 that has X11, 9-pin. Does the Yellow test cable connect to socket 3, Black cable to socket 1 and Red cable connects battery (+) for the X11, 9-pin socket.

Thanks

Ken

That chassis is Duty Cycle read. Flash code LED Tool does not work for those systems.

<9-Pole Diagnostic Connector (1980-94)
The 9-pole Diagnostic Connector is used on earlier model vehicles. It can display
on-off ratio fault codes (1986 and later), RPM and Lambda sensor values. Various
on-off ratio Meters are available that provide access to this type of diagnostic connector.>

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A Dalton

FYI - a generic code list is at this link for models through the late 1990's.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

That site is where I pulled the info from..as it states , his chassis does not have Flash Codes .....his system works on Duty Cycle and requires a Duty Cycle DMM.

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A Dalton

Any Duty Cycle DMM you guys would recommend? In SeteveB's " Evaluating Electronic Engine Control" article mentioned that a voltmeter may be used in parallel with DMM.

Mine seems like running a little rich after the replacement of the left front balljoint. The vacuum gauge is sitting in between the far left end and the beginning of the red when the car is stopped with the transmission engaged in either D/2/1/R. New plugs and idler hoses are put in as well. A pricey new EHA has just been replaced due to leaking contributing fail to the air care test. There is no visible vacuum leak found. Recently a very tiny wet around the front exhaust mandifold upper gasket noted. Engine back pressure? This car used to have good results of aircare before the repair of the balljoint.

Ken

where/how does one buy/build a reader for those ODB-I codes and live data? Thx -CTH

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- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

See post #2.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff