I recently had my CEE message appear, on my 98 E300TD, as we know it will when a glowplug fails. I know from testing the plugs that I need to replace #6 and probably the glowplug relay (since I have GP failures every 30-40k mi).

I had a transmission mechanic tell me that as long as the CEE light is on that it'll prevent my transmission from "learning" properly, and also affects how the injection pump injects fuel.

Not knowing enough about how the computers work on the newer 98-99 diesel 300s I was hoping someone could help me prove/disprove this statement.

I'm not really relishing pulling the manifold to change the GPs again, and since I live in S FL and never drive north, having one GP out doesn't affect starting. What am I overlooking?

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Jim Kissane
98 E300TD 149k
87 560SL 98k
84 E00D 254k

Why not hook it up to a code reader and see exactly what the computer is complaining about? AutoZone will do it for free.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

A check engine light can be any of 200 things. Get the code before assuming anything.

Check Engine Electronics is a catch-all alert for any of a number of problems. Some codes effect the amount of power the engine produces, boost allowed and even whether the transmission shifts or not.

Some of us have Scan-gages on our cars. They are really handy and will display and clear the codes among other things. They run about $150 on Ebay. Somewhere recently I saw a great deal on OBDII scanners for something like $40. It might have been Harbor Freight but I'm not exactly sure.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

For any modern (mid-1990s+) car owner/backyard mechanic an OBDII reader is worth its weight in gold. I have seen them for around 50 bucks at harbor freight, but no idea how good those are. Reiterating what was said above, the CEL will trip if any sensor or parameter is out of line with stock, unless they have their own warning lights--meaning it could be hundreds of possibilities.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I thought I had mentioned that I had an OBD check and it confirmed a bad glowplug.

What I am trying to determine is : As long as I'm getting this CEE error, does that mean that the other systems (transmission, injector) will not be working properly?

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Jim Kissane
98 E300TD 149k
87 560SL 98k
84 E00D 254k

Perhaps your mechanic is referring to the "limp home" mode, where the ECU cuts boost and fuel delivery in the case of serious engine failure. From others on this forum it is basically a massive cut in power. I doubt that a GP would trip the limp-home mode, but I'm not familiar enough with those engines to make that call. In the case of traditional gasser engines (all non MB) that I've worked on, the CEL will not affect anything unless a sensor is indicating false readings. For example, if the MAF sensor went on the fritz, it would cause all sorts of havoc with the air/fuel mixture. Sorry if this didn't help as much, I tried!

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Thanks,

It's all helpful. I cannot seem to get a definite answer on this. Having a hard tie believing that a warning light for a bad glowplug would put the computer into "limp home" mode

__________________
Jim Kissane
98 E300TD 149k
87 560SL 98k
84 E00D 254k