Code Explanation Needed
 

Does anyone know the meaning of code 21: "Purge switchover valve-open or shorted?" on a 95 e320?

That is just a POORLY written code definition!

That code 21 on that car means that the purge valve isn't pulling enough vacuum on the MAP sensor! Most likely a dis-connected vacuum line, inop switch-over valve, OR bad purge valve.

okkk, so how do I go about finding a solution to it besides looking around for a disconnected vacuum line?

code 21
 

The most common cause other than a bad valve is a leaking vacuum line at the piezo sensor located under the windsheild washer tank.
Good luck and post your fix. Mike

hmm, ill take a look down there then...thanks Mike! be back later with the results.

Correct me if i am wrong. The code 21 on this car means: Oxygen sensor or circuit. Check both of them.....

Incorrect twice.

Code 21 is purge valve system malfuntion and 124.032 has only one 02 sensor.

no leaking vacuum line...Arthur, you got any ideas?

The purge valves get full of crap from the canister and stop pulsing..you clean them out with WD40.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/146520-help-codes-94-c280.html?highlight=MOT

went from bad to worse...I now have #2 error code, damnit :( .

Battlecat714

What exactly are the problems with your car ???????

Do you have the diagnostic plug with the inbuilt LED and push button ???

Y58/1 is the purge valve..left inner apron.

Error codes 2,5,21.
Level of difficulty:
2-Bad o2 sensor=easy
5-Bad EGR Valve=easy
21-Bad Purge Valve=the wd40 cleaning didn't work, so maybe order a new one?

I Like your level of difficulty chart.
Don't assume a code means a part change .. that is more often not the case.
These codes simply mean that a fault has been detected on that system that did not pass the self test. These are Emissions codes only.
An example on a 104 would be a code 5.. very seldom does this code get rectified by changing the EGR valve, but rather clearing out the intake egr tube port at the the engine...hardly an EASY job..
Whenever one wants a clearer picture for diagnostics on these HFM systems, it is best to see what codes are coupled up with the emissions codes from the actual Engine Management modules.

oh of course, and that's what i'm not hoping that EGR tube that leads into the back intake and into the engine is not clogged up. I will change the o2 sensor this weekend leaving me with the two others. Hopefully I will be able to clean the EGR Valve and with time again, clean the Purge valve. Thanks for the advice Arthur.

I would not change the 02 until I cleared the codes and retried it.
As far as egr tube restriction, you can tell that by simply supplying vac to the egr while the engine is at idle and see if the engine attemps to die. If it does , the tube is not blocked.
There was a TSB on 124.032 EGR valves , but the flow test should be done first.

cool, thanks a lot.

retrieving codes
 

Hello there!

Thanks for your reply. I wonder how is your code issue coming along?

I haven't driven the E320 since I took it home, I suppose for the future there might be the need for retrieving and interpreting trouble codes.
Any input appreciated, I'll stay in touch.

Thanks,
Guido

I believe in preventive action; yet, don't fix it if it's not broken.

1995 E320 Wagon-white
1982 300D Turbodiesel-gold

hey guido, well I cleaned the EGR valve and got that working, going to clean the Purge one thoroughly on weds. and then tackle the, mostly likely tight, o2 sensor last.

1995 E320
 

Hi there, Jorge!

Did you get those things squared away?

I put on a few miles on mine, else I just keep looking at it....:cool:.

I think I need to run a VIN# check somehow and see how I can get some maintenance history and maybe more details down the road. So far no documentation from the the dealer. Well.....the car is real nice, clean and tight, as I look around I haven't found anything wrong.

More later....Thanks,

yea I got'em all fixed...runs great now, hopefully I won't have any more problems from that light. Good to hear your car's still good...take care of it!