1995 E320 Wagon Check Engine, ASR & ABS Lights
 

I bought this car in December knowing these lights were on. Looking back, I would not do it again. However, the car runs and drives great (other than the ABS and Cruise Control doesn't work). I took the car to a shop to have them diagnose the problems. They said the codes that were comming up were:

Stop Light Switch
EGR
Upshift Delay
ECT Sensor Short
Air Mass Meter

They reset everything. I drove the car for about 500-600 miles before the Check Engine light came back on. I've read how to clean the EGR, and can replace the ECT Sensor. If the ECT Sensor was bad, wouldn't the Check Engine light come on right away? My thinking is that the EGR caused the light to come back on.

Is there a good, inexpensive code reader/reseter for my car? I don't want to spend another $170 to everytime my check engine light comes on.

The ASR & ABS lights are never on when the car is started. They seem to come on at a set speed (about 10-15 MPH), as long as I drive the car under that speed they stay off, no matter how long. I bought a new Stop Light Switch from the local MB Dealership and installed it. My ABS & ASR Lights still act the same. Is there a common problem that would cause these lights to come on? Could the Upshift Delay be the culprit? I wouldn't think so but I don't know either.

Thank you all in advance for the help.

The stop lamp switch is the only code you listed that can cause the ABS/ASR lamps to come on.

Why would the lights come on after I reach a certain speed? How can I test if I have connection to and from the Stop Light Switch? My brake lights come on???

What else would cause an error like this? My first guess would be a wheel speed sensor. Is this logical? Is there a way I could test them with an ohm meter?

Thanks again for the help.

You can build your own code reader (search) and should soon. Better to just clean the wheel speed sensors. They are magnetic and pick up all sorts of junk over time.

If I make my own code reader, do I need to drive the car untill the ABS & ASR lights come on. Then pull the codes out? Like I said earlier, these lights don't come on when the car is turned on.

Once you build the code reader you'll be reading, and clearing the codes, all the time, it's quite easy. Some codes show up before the lights come on, others never trigger the lights. You'll be interested in pins 3, 8 and 14. Pin 3 can be read with the built in LED and pushbutton - the other two require the code reader.

Possibly you are having an over-charging problem.
Try checking the battery voltage as the problem happens.

Here's another link. You've got a lot of homework to do.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=107630

The link will tell you how to clear codes. Once cleared, wait a couple days and read which codes come back. I don't think the check engine light needs to come on for certain low level errors.

I assume that the engine wiring harness has been replaced or is known good condition? Bad harness will throw a code but still run great.

<<I don't think the check engine light needs to come on for certain low level errors. <<


CE lamp is only activated when the offending code/fault will effect Emmissions...That is all the N/59 module monitors. Emmissions related faults.

Non functioning Cruise control points to a bad harness pigtail on the Electronic Throttle Actuator. Common problem with this age car. I pulled mine apart and rebuilt the wiring and the car ran beuatifully after. Someone with a V12 site has a good DIY on rebuilding these.

Definitely get the serial number off the harness to check its age. Bad insulation can cause all sorts of havoc. Search on the site for plenty of threads discussing this.

For the ABS - is it possible the wheel sensors for the brakes are needing cleaing and or replacement?

Watching the thread since I am very likely to learn something from your troubleshooting.