Someone I know is looking at buying a 1998 S320. The cars seems to be in pretty good shape but it has the CE light on. Now what could cause it to trip and is their anything I could check in a parking lot with basic tools? The car is on ebay and we need to know a little more before bidding.

Also what scanner is needed to read the code? I thought these cars were just OBD-2. Autozone has cleared and read codes off of my friends W210 for us. The GM dealer that has the car claims they can't read the code. Since they seem to be very honest with the rest of the car I have a feeling they havn't tried or maybe just don't know.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

CE lamp means there are code/codes stored .. OBD11 scanner.

As you know, there are literally dozens of faults that will trip the CEL.
As for the GM dealer, they normally deal only with their GM-specific TECH IV diagnostic tool.
Autozone should be able to retrieve codes, as long as they are " generic " codes, not M-B specific.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

There's got to somebody at a GM dealer that has a OBDII code reader and knows how to use it. My sister does it and it is literally the only thing she knows how to do on her car.

There are a bunch of things that could cause the check engine light to come on. Yes, being a '98, it has OBD II. Being a chevy dealer, they probable don't have the universal scan tools like independent have to read OBD II info. I work for a MB dealer and our software in the SDS will not communicate with, lets say, a 2000 chevy impala. They can take it to Autozone, or wherever, like you have done in the past and they could read the codes.

Since I got a $40 OBD II scanner from Kragen I've been very popular with friends with 96-up cars. Less so with a friend who learned using this tool that his car needs a new tranny. If you're the type to attract car questions and want to stay that way, you should have an OBD II scanner handy.

Sixto
87 300SDL

I'm the go to MB guy when someone who knows me has a problem.

Anyway I think the best course of action with this car would be just to drive down and look at it in person. Then we can take it on a *test* drive to either an Autozone or a MB dealer whatever is closer. The price on the car would be great if the CE fix is $500 or less. If it costs $1k or more to shut the light off then ehh the price isn't that great. The GM dealer probably isn't going to be interested in going to nuts with it. Sellers seem to get scared off when you know to much about these cars. They rather sell to easy pray with MB stars in there eyes.

I think I will tell him to email the dealer and tell them to plug an OBD-2 into it. I can't imagin a GM dealer doesn't have one laying around somewhere.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Most States do not allow a Dealer to sell a car that has an Emmisions related code ... might want to ask about that.....