2000 S430 Mercedes with 285K serviced every 5K is running smooth till the other day!
2000 S430 with 285K miles runs great and serviced every 5K. I drive the car in socal and usually just back and forth to the airport for the last 10 years. All good till last week when suddenly the engine light came on. I didn't notice anything. The light stayed on for a couple of days and went away for about 24hr till today when it came on again! I didn't notice anything till I got to a stop and in idle the engine started to shake a bit and when accelerating it hesitated up to about 15-20mph. I can't really notice anything on the highway. I was thinking of a couple of reasons
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
When the check engine light came on, the ECU stored a code related to the fault that was detected. Even if the light went back out, the fault code is still stored. So it’s a matter of reading the memory in the ECU to find out what is the code. Your ideas about the possible failures could be correct, but at 285 K it really could be anything. The best next thing to do would be to have a technician plug in the appropriate diagnostic equipment to read and interpret the codes. If you contact Your Mechanic, they can send a technician to your home or office to read the trouble codes on your Mercedes and let you know what it is going to take to fix it.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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For those wondering, “Can I drive my Mercedes-Benz with the check engine light on?”, you certainly can if this is your problem. That said, you should bring your vehicle in immediately, as a faulty oxygen sensor can damage your catalytic converter, which will be costly to replace.
One light to which you should pay very close attention is the check engine light. If this light comes on it means there could be a problem with the engine management system, the fuel injection system, the exhaust system, the ignition system, or the fuel system which might cause the engine to enter emergency mode.
Press the lower right button on the left side of your steering wheel, and again it will show the reason why the “check engine” light is on. Find the reset button on the left side of your instrument cluster. Press the reset button and hold it until your display shows “To reset: Press reset button for 3 seconds.”
Usually, when the check engine light is on and the car is shaking, that means you`re dealing with an engine misfire. Basically, the check engine light comes on whenever there`s an issue that could increase vehicle tailpipe emissions.
How long can you drive with the check engine light on? Once you see the check engine light, it is safe to drive with the light on for 50 to 100 miles. This is because if the issue is with the sensors, then this will buy some time for it to reset, turning the check engine light off.
In most cases, your Mercedes-Benz light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Park Place so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
All the problems that could trigger a check engine light are serious. If the check engine light comes on, it`s one dashboard light you should not ignore. Whether for a week, a month, or a year, if you ignore the check engine light, it puts your vehicle, and by extension, your personal safety at risk.
The reasons for a check engine light turning on can range from something minor like a loose gas cap to something more serious like a faulty catalytic converter. It could even be a sign of internal engine failure. Ignoring the problem can turn a potentially quick fix into a costly and time-consuming repair.
Will your check engine light turn off by itself? In most cases, successfully repairing the issue that caused your light to come on will cause the check engine light to turn off automatically—but only after 10 to 20 “cycles”.
The check engine light on your Mercedes-Benz will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it`s tightened, the light will turn itself off.
In some cars, a yellow check engine light means there is a problem that needs to be investigated and a red or flashing light means there is a serious problem and you need to stop right away. Your gauges will help you to determine problems like overheating and low oil pressure.
Shaking or vibration may be caused by things such as faulty spark plugs, poor fuel pressure or misfires. Other things such as a faulty idle air control valve may cause the engine idle to drop below the normal idling RPM which may also cause the motor to shake or vibrate more than normal.
Check your gas cap first. Many vehicles have a loose gas cap indicator that will be triggered before your check engine light comes on. If your gas cap is loose or the seal is not tight, the vapor leakage can cause your fuel system to trigger the check engine light.
So why is the light still on? Here`s something you probably don`t know: after clearing the car`s computer you will need to drive for about 50 to 100 miles. As you drive your car the computer will monitor all the sensors and register the results.
What does yellow engine light mean on a Mercedes-Benz? The yellow engine light is most likely a check engine light. There are many causes for a check engine light to come on, including a problem with the fuel system, the exhaust system, the fuel injection system, the ignition system, or the engine management system.
These problems can range from faults within the electrical system, the engine, fluid levels or to problems within the car`s emissions system. The problem can even be as simple as forgetting to tighten your gas cap – in fact, this is the most common reason why check engine lights appear in the first place.
However, failing to clear a code after a repair could leave you second-guessing the issue or doubling your work to recheck the codes. That`s why you should always make clearing codes an essential part of your repair process.
To make sure the check engine light does not reappear, it`s recommended that you drive your car 30 to 100 miles. This enables the vehicle`s “Drive Cycle” to reset, as the various sensors need time to recalibrate.
The check engine light on your Mercedes-Benz will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it`s tightened, the light will turn itself off.
The reasons for a check engine light turning on can range from something minor like a loose gas cap to something more serious like a faulty catalytic converter. It could even be a sign of internal engine failure. Ignoring the problem can turn a potentially quick fix into a costly and time-consuming repair.
The check engine light on your Mercedes-Benz will usually shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it`s tightened, the light will turn itself off.
What does yellow engine light mean on a Mercedes-Benz? The yellow engine light is most likely a check engine light. There are many causes for a check engine light to come on, including a problem with the fuel system, the exhaust system, the fuel injection system, the ignition system, or the engine management system.
What does yellow engine light mean on a Mercedes-Benz? The yellow engine light is most likely a check engine light. There are many causes for a check engine light to come on, including a problem with the fuel system, the exhaust system, the fuel injection system, the ignition system, or the engine management system.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
2000 S430 Mercedes with 285K serviced every 5K is running smooth till the other day!
ANSWER : When the check engine light came on, the ECU stored a code related to the fault that was detected. Even if the light went back out, the fault code is still stored. So it’s a matter of reading the memory in the ECU to find out what is the code. Your ideas about the possible failures could be correct, but at 285 K it really could be anything. The best next thing to do would be to have a technician plug in the appropriate diagnostic equipment to read and interpret the codes. If you contact Your Mechanic, they can send a technician to your home or office to read the trouble codes on your Mercedes and let you know what it is going to take to fix it.
I changed the fuel pump and truck ran great for 3 days. Now after 3 days, the truck dies. It will start running for a few minutes, then dies like before.
ANSWER : Hi there, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to help. It sounds like you should disconnect the connector to the fuel pump and inspect it for any signs of getting hot. The female connections may be too loose on the fuel pump and lose contact after running and getting hot. If there are indeed any signs of problems, then I’d suggest replacing connector and adding dielectric lube to pins before installation. This should solve the problem, but if you continue to experience issues, feel free to reach out to us for help again.
Runs fine for days then acts like running out of gas and then dies and try restart and runs then dies ,when I turn key on you hea
ANSWER : The fuel pump in the fuel tank is designed to have low pressure and high volume to feed the front fuel pump the right amount fuel. The front fuel pump supplies the engine with high pressure to the engine.
When you do not hear the pump run then the fuel pump is bad and should be replaced along with the relay. You should not have to replace the in tank pump if it is running. I’d suggest replacing the fuel filter as well.
I’d suggest getting this inspected by a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, to diagnose your stalling issue and make the necessary repairs.
Car will start and run smoothly but will die when you try to accelerate.
ANSWER : Hi there. There may be a misfire on a cylinder that is causing the engine to hesitate on acceleration. Check all of the spark plugs and wires and see if they have burn marks. If there is burn marks on the spark plugs then I recommend replacing them. Also, check to see if the fuel injectors are working. While the engine is running, unplug one fuel injector at a time and see if the engine begins to hesitate even more. If so, then the fuel injector is working. If the engine does not hesitate any more, then the fuel injector may not be working or the cylinder could have a gross leak. If the spark plugs, wires, and injectors are working and are in good condition, then check the engine for compression and see if the cylinders are equal. For the cylinders that are low in compression, there could be a burned valve or the rings on the piston could be stuck shut and not expanding. If you need further assistance with your engine misfiring, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
The car runs fine some days,then other days it wont..
ANSWER : Hi there. Many different faults will cause your 1999 Chevrolet Lumina to run poorly, sputter, and stall. The most common would be a vacuum leak, spark plugs, exhaust leak, oxygen sensors, cap & rotor, or distributor. To have the problem pinpointed, I recommend having a certified professional inspect the sputtering issue firsthand so that this can be taken care of properly.
I changed fuel pump and truck ran great for 3 days. Now after 3 days truck dies. It will start runs few min then dies like before
ANSWER : Check the bottom of the fuel tank for sediment. Age and mileage could have accumulated a lot of it at the bottom of the tank. If you did not, check and change the fuel filter. Rule of thumb – replace the fuel filter any time you replace a fuel pump. Also, check the wiring for any chaffing on the fuel pump when you remove it. While your problem is kind of unique, I have seen many GM truck fuel tank baffle loosen over time, occasionally rubbing against the fuel pump can intermittently short it out and/or block the fuel pump pick up. To have this diagnosed, consider having a certified expert from YourMechanic inspect the stalling issue to have this corrected.
I have a. 2000 Mercedes Benz S500. It suddenly won’t go into reverse. What should i do? 2000 Mercedes S500
ANSWER : Hello – your Mercedes transmission is in "limp mode". Something has failed in the transmission, and it has engaged 2nd gear as a limited means of getting you to a repair shop. If you could forward the specific codes which are set, that would be helpful for diagnostic purposes – without them, we can only speculate. I recommend a transmission inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
01 mustang v6 running rough at idle and drive. Please help. Replaced a bunch, still can’t figure out issue.
ANSWER : This may be a sign of a faulty MAP sensor as the vehicle responds adversely to a load put on the motor (i.e. putting it in gear, turning on AC or engaging the brakes). The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor senses engine load and generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of vacuum in the intake manifold. The engine computer then uses this information to adjust ignition timing and fuel enrichment. When the engine is working hard, intake vacuum drops as the throttle opens wide. The engine takes in more air, which requires more fuel to keep the air/fuel ratio in balance. When the computer reads a heavy load signal from the MAP sensor, it adjusts the fuel mixture to slightly more rich than normal so the engine can produce more power. The computer will then retard (back off) ignition timing slightly to prevent detonation that can damage the engine and decrease performance. This may also be caused by other closely related components such as a dirty or failing mass air-flow sensor, a faulty throttle position sensor or potentially a vacuum leak. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
