2001 E-Class Failed Emissions
 

Hi there,
I have a 2001 E-430 Sport that just failed my Illinois emissions test. Car has just over 66K miles on it. The system report came back with codes P0170 and P0173 Fuel Trim Malfunction Bank1 and Bank 2. Interestingly enough my CEL wasn't on, but after a bit of investigating, it appears that the lamp is burned out (doesn't light with the ignition key turned to the right). Just my luck, god knows how long I have been driving around like this.

Car runs fine or so it seems but I need to get this resolved. From searching the forum it appears that others have had similar issues on different models (MAF sensor) and I was wondering if this could be the same issue on my car. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Len

Read this thread, it may help you.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=187596
You'll still have to find the problem with the non-working check engine light.

Did you just buy the car? Its not uncommen for shady used car dealers or PO's to yank the CE bulb.

Nah, I bouight the car new so I know there hasn't been any funny business. I know its going to suck just trying to replace the dash lamp, but the other could be expensive.

Len

Thanks for the link Manny, I'll have to give it a try, after all if it could be as simple as this then its worth going through.

Len

In the attached link from Manny it mentions 'resetting the code'. Does anyone know what this refers to or how to do it?

Len

Well their are a few ways to do it. The quick way is to unplug the battery for a bit and let the code clear. But if the problem is still present that won't do anything, the CE light(if it worked) would come right back.

The dealer can do a lot more with their SDS. More so with your car because its a lot more advanced then the W210's I'm used to.


MAF's are cake to change, my friend just did one on his E300D. $200 online and about 10 minutes to pop in.

refresh my memory....but in the inner recess of my brain, i thought that
emissions was warrantied for 10 yrs. will this help get him some relief and
repair?

Yes, I believe emissions is 10 yrs. and 80,000 miles. Not positive about the 10 years, but I'm pretty sure about the 80,000 miles.

Changing that bulb is literally a ten-minute job. The cluster pulls out of the dash with a pair of hooks. Be sure to move your steering wheel all the way down and back first.

In my case the bulbs for Exterior light warning and CEL have been switched. I spent a lot of time to check and recheck the exterior lights and their circuits until one day a signal bulb burnt and CEL was on; I replaced the bulb and CEL was off. I sought advice and someone of this forum pointed out the possibility of the warning lights being switched; and he was right.

btw what is "PO"?

PO = Previous Owner

Hopefully the bulb is truly burned out and there isn't a problem with the actual circuitry...

Thanks for the information everyone. I'm going to start by looking into the warranty issue as this would be the easiest way to deal with this. It seems that cleaning the MAF is one way a lot of people have dealt with the problem and if the warranty doesn't come through then that's the next avenue. Still not looking forward to replacing the dash lamp though ;)

Len

Same Problem, Maybe Solution
 

On my 2001 E320, I just replaced the MAF after OBD codes indicated PO173, etc. I learned from the dealership that as the component begins to fail, codes are stored. The check engine light will not be triggered until the problem exceeds computer standards (maybe your MAF was just beginning to fail).