1999 Mercedes 320 CLK Water Damage Issues
 

Good evening all

I am posting this for my neighbor. She noticed my many Mercedes parked and stopped to ask me a few questions. She owns a 1999 Mercedes 30 CLK and it was wet on the interior by water. I am not sure how much and how. There was enough water to cause mildew growth. She stated the entire front of the car was soaked. The car will not start completely. It does turn over but won't start. Sometimes it is hard to turn the key and ignition switch. Any suggestions on where to begin?

She also mentioned she has a 2000 Mercedes ML 320. The check engine light is on because she hadn't tightened the gas cap. She tightened it and wants to know of any DIY methods for turning off the check engine light?

Thanks for any and all feedback....

Ron

Not sure but would not be surprised if she could use a generic OBDII scanner and turn off the fault from the gas cap.

Thanks, Tyl604 for the suggestion.

If the CEL was set from the gas cap being left off, it should reset itself after a couple of drive cycles. If it's been on longer than that, she needs to have codes read to find out what's setting the light (it probably won't be the gas cap).

Thank you Diseasel300. I think it has been long that what you mentioned. I will relay the message.

Or have her take it by any AutoZone or Advanced Auto and they should be able to read/reset code for no charge.

In my experience, they only read codes - they do not erase or reset anything for "liability reasons".

Could just buy a code reader for around $50

https://m.harborfreight.com/zr4-obd2-code-reader-63808.html

Find a 20 percent coupon and your golden

I " think " these cars had an issue with the cowl drains clogging the everything under the dash getting wet ( including computers ) . The mold issue alone would make me run away. I'm betting this car has been sitting a long time and was parked for some other reason.

If the light is due to a loose gas cap, it will reset then next time the car does a evap system test. It should reset ( for most cars ) after 2 to 5 drive cycles if the fuel tank is above 1/8 and below 7/8 , and ambient temp below 100 F.

I'm betting she is just guessing / " read it on the internet" that the cap is loose. If so, this is the genesis of " My gas cap was loose and the evil dealer charged me $ 1,000 to do work I didn't need. " ( RE there were other problems and the dealer fixed the actual problem )

If she asks you to go in to the basement to look for a leak behind the furnace, run.