1995 E320 wagon CEL problem
 

Folks-

I have a 95 E320 wagon built in late 1995 (November I think). Where is the pin box located to use the Aurther Dalton device I saw on some other pages. Please be specific.

What are the chances a late 95 would actually have OBDII? The car is running fine and never had a symptom other than the light. I had it checked and they charged me $35 and told me it was the #1 injector ground but then said it's running fine so off I went. Never had a symptom before or after but the darn light came on within a week. I am assuming this might be the wiring problem I have heard about but I don't plan to change anything until it starts to have some symptoms. My second big question, will this fail the NC state inspection because of the light being on? I understand it is only a safety insp not an emissions on 95 and earlier cars. Anyone got any experience with that one?

Diagnostic connector (16 pin) is next to the battery.

NO W124 chassis had ODB2! only ODB1.

What code number was pulled the 1st time? Have you inspected the wiring harness for brittle & missing insulation?

Thanks for the OBD clairification. It's my wife's car and I checked last night, definitely only OBD1. I think I am getting the idea of the code reader. I have another dumb question. If I read the code using the LED/button that is on the diagnostic connection block what will I be reading? Or another way to ask, what is the difference with the code reader that I need to build and use for each pin and the codes that will come from the already in place button/LED on the pin block? For the homemade code reading device, which pins should I 'read'. All of them?

In response to the wiring question, I am not really sure what I am looking for (or where) for wiring problems. I would guess I do have problems based on the fact that everyone seems to have this eventually for this vintage car. We've never had a performance symptom of it only the light coming on. I've looked at the wiring on the top left of the motor area and the insulation seems cracked but no bare wires anywhere I can tell. What a pain in the neck, how does this crap happen with all the research that goes into this stuff!!

I also have a 93 300D and I have to say the diesel seems much simpler all things considered (and it sounds so much nicer to drive). I wish I had two of these rather than one and the gasser!

The code reader will read ALL of the systems & the push-button blink light reads only the Diagnostic module (check engine info).

There is a very large topic in the general information forum about the wiring issue.

So I did the built-in diagnostic and I get 5 flashes. Is it correct that this is the exhaust gas recirculation error? Please advise if not. Now that I have that I have reset the CEL light. Is there any reason to build a reader and read the individual pins? I suspect this is all the wiring harness acting up since I can see the insulation crack up on the thermostat housing connections. The signal earlier this summer was injector 1 ground. That light was reset by a tech and then came on about a week later and has been on for a couple months. Now it is reading EGR. Is this likely the harness as I suspect? Thanks. At least I can turn the light off now.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/107630-e320-16-pin-dtc-charts-inc-pin-8-pin-14-a.html

You should build the tool and check the other pins [ 8 and 14] , as the DM one you used is only for Emmissions codes . [ like egr fault]

If the insulation is cracking , you have the harness problem and the correct remedy is replacement.

<<My second big question, will this fail the NC state inspection because of the light being on? I understand it is only a safety insp not an emissions on 95 and earlier cars>>

........the CE lamp is to notify the Inspector and Operator that the Emmissions Module has detected an Emmissions Fault. That is it's sole purpose. I highly doubt that NC has a saftey only vehicle check , ignoring Emmissions on an HFM/SFI systems car.

As far as EGR code, the first suspect on that chassis is a restriction/blockage of the EGR pipe where it meets the head .
This can be verified by doing a hand vac. actuation of the EGR valve while the car is at idle.
If NO, then Second suspect is vac line at SOV valve is cracked.
Check Archieves for all this info...

Mr. Dalton. I appreciate the advice and will build the tool and read further pins. Regarding the error I got with the emissions (EGR fault). This is different than the tech told me about in July when the light came on. He said injector 1 fault was the code. Now this seems to me like two light warnings and two different messages. So my big ticket question is - can all of this just be the wiring problem and there actually is nothing wrong with the car. I agree, I need to replace the harness, but just am wondering IF that can be my only problem or if it is likely there are other things going on. WHen these harness' fail is this the typical type of thing that happens that being an array of warning lights somewhat at random?? Thanks.

When the wiring fails, all kinds of spurious faults occur. Some mechanics refuse to do such diagnostics unless the engine wiring harness is first replaced. Also, the shorts from this bad wiring can damage other expensive electrical components, so it is in your best interest to replace the original wiring harness that has crumbling insulation with a new harness. It's not a question of IF the wiring harness needs to be replaced, but when.

Wire harness can cause all kinds of codes b/c there are shorts in the wiring..

If the harness is bad , it has to be replaced before anything ese can be determined, regarless of which modules you go into for diagnostic codes.

But an EGR code is usually a mechanical blockage problem on that 104 engine and my post explains how to determine/test if that is , in fact, the problem...regardless of wire harness/