What makes a 300E throw code 16 randomly...."EGR Switchover" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #1 03-15-2009, 10:21 PM

My 300E randomly throws code 16 (and only code 16).....the "EGR" error code. What triggers this? A faulty valve? Is there a way to tend to it to stop it from constantly throwing the code? Do the switchover valves go bad?

It usually throws the code when I am driving up over a big overpass by my house, then the road peaks and heads downward pretty steep and makes a sharp curve.....throws it almost every time right there if I am going at a good speed....if I go slower it won't trigger.

The car doesn't care when the code is thrown, runs the same.

Any ideas on what I should check or replace to stop this? What/where is it even "Sensing" the problem to throw a code?

deanyel · #2 03-15-2009, 10:39 PM

Where are you getting that code description? I don't think it's right. Better yet where are getting the code, what pin?

pawoSD · #3 03-15-2009, 10:53 PM

Its a 1990 300E....californicated model....so it has the blinky LED/Button on it to display the codes.

I am using the MB code sheets....its code 16 on this sheet:

deanyel · #4 03-15-2009, 11:07 PM

I thought it was just the EGR code and not the switchover code.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=247432

pawoSD · #5 03-15-2009, 11:34 PM

It is just the EGR code....I had been looking at another page of the codes that lists "EGR Switchover valve" as code 16....

Any idea why it randomly triggers the code? I can drive for quite a while with no code, then it will randomly trigger.

wbain5280 · #6 03-16-2009, 01:48 AM

The egr ports are probably blocked with soot. Clean the egr system. The egr pipe on my 89 420SEL was completely blocked with soot.

Chowbow · #7 03-16-2009, 02:14 PM

My car randomly threw this code as well. I have a 92 190E with m103 motor - California car as well. Nothing seemingly wrong with it and it just threw the code while accelerating somewhere. No change at all in the way the car drove, idled, etc.

I cleared it to see if I could replicate it and observe what conditions it was, but no luck. It's been 1k+ miles since I got the code and I can't replicate it now. Let me know if you find anything and I'll try the same on my car.

pawoSD · #8 03-16-2009, 02:18 PM

That is the same thing mine does....usually during acceleration (actually I think all the times it has come on have been during acceleration).....then I clear it, and it might come on again the same day, or not for a month. Very odd.

pawoSD · #9 05-31-2009, 07:14 PM

I had replaced pretty much all of the hard vacuum line and rubber connectors and mine would still throw the code. So I just disabled the EGR, and ignore the Check Engine light.

Chowbow · #10 06-01-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I had replaced pretty much all of the hard vacuum line and rubber connectors and mine would still throw the code. So I just disabled the EGR, and ignore the Check Engine light.

Well, that's one way around it!

Out of curiosity, do you have any info on how much vacuum line, and which rubber connectors to buy in order to replace all the old stuff in your car? I'm looking to do this on my M103 190E but I'm not too sure where to start. Do you have an old invoice or any memory of about how much line and what size you ordered?

Cal Learner · #11 06-02-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chowbow

Well, that's one way around it!

Out of curiosity, do you have any info on how much vacuum line, and which rubber connectors to buy in order to replace all the old stuff in your car? I'm looking to do this on my M103 190E but I'm not too sure where to start. Do you have an old invoice or any memory of about how much line and what size you ordered?

You can get a pretty good idea from the individual part number descriptions in the EPC. It'll say something like "from x to y, 700mm". Just add up all of the pieces. Sold by the meter.

Chowbow · #12 06-02-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal Learner

You can get a pretty good idea from the individual part number descriptions in the EPC. It'll say something like "from x to y, 700mm". Just add up all of the pieces. Sold by the meter.

Awesome, thanks. I didn't even think about looking through the EPC.