96 E300D Intermittent Flashing Glow Plug Light - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

phinphan · #1 10-27-2006, 09:12 AM

My new to me 1996 E300D has an intermittent flashing glow plug light issue. The glow plugs and harness were replaced by the MB Dealer withing the last 2500 miles. Car will throw a p0380 code. I have read in the forums about checking the resistance but am unsure where to make the measurement in my car. I have the shop manual CD from MB but it reads like hieroglyphics to me. Any other thoughts on what to check? I do not like ignoring the check engine light or the flashing glow plug light. I should mention that the car starts easily every time and appears to run fine with 27 mpg city and 33-35 mpg highway.

mbdoc · #2 10-27-2006, 09:39 AM

P0 380 means that either the glow relay is bad OR that 1 or more of those new glow plugs isn't drawing(asking for) the correct Amperage from the glow relay.

aklim · #3 10-27-2006, 10:04 AM

Check that all the wires are good. You never know if one can slip off or what. You can also check continuity and resistance of each plug. Of course the most accurate test is the load test but I am not sure how to do that. Gilly would know.

phinphan · #4 10-28-2006, 03:50 PM

On a Mercedes specific code reader it said glow plug lamp malfunction. Don't want to pull the instrument cluster to fix that!

Matt L · #5 10-28-2006, 06:04 PM

It flashes, yet it's bad? Oh well, you could change it anyway. Pulling the instrument panel from a 210 is an easy job.

phinphan · #6 10-28-2006, 07:32 PM

glad it is not a big deal. I hate ignoring warning lights. Makes for bad habits. Once I track down my last fuel leak I will get to work on it.

deltajetfixer · #7 10-29-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Check that all the wires are good. You never know if one can slip off or what. You can also check continuity and resistance of each plug. Of course the most accurate test is the load test but I am not sure how to do that. Gilly would know.

Running an ammeter in series with each individual plug connector at the glowplug relay would give you some solid load test numbers.

I just checked each plug with a set of jumper cables when I had them all pulled during my changeout. One of mine was "weak" in that it glowed a dull red compared to the others' bright orange.