2002 E320 CDI No kickdown/flat as a pancake

[kimjenkins]

If anyone can help please.....

I have a 2002 E320 CDI estate that seems to have a few problems.

1st problem:
First noticed the car lurching into 1st gear only, but when the engine was stopped and re-started it was fine untill one day when it just stayed in first gear no matter what I did. So I took it to the MB dealer and had it plugged in. They said that it showed a multitude of faults that where mostly unimportant, the main fault was 'charge air pressure low' , Inspect charge hoses and inspect turbo wastegate linkage. Checked VAC hoses, undable to fault on roadtest. So they cleared the faults and the car was fine again.

My brother used to be a machanic (unfortunatly no longer) so i asked his advice and he suggested that the gear problems could be electrically related ...... infact if I put the battery on charge for a few hours the gear problem doesnt happen ..... just the second problem below!

2nd problem:
Its lost alot of power ..... it moves through the gears alright, but has no kickdown when in D.

I have been searching the forum for days and have seen other posts of similar problems. One suggested cleaning the MAF sensor (which was really easy and took only 15mins) I have also changed the air filter and fuel filter. <------ me

If anyone has any advice i could really do with it!

Many Thanks in advance

kimjenkins

 

[jefrs]

Perhaps stuck in Winter mode, that does resemble loss of power and no kickdown. A common fault with an easy fix. Other thread:- http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/6722-sorting-s-w-switch-problems-4.html

 

[Olivier]

Is there no boost or no kickdown?
If no boost it could be MAF related.

 

[kimjenkins]

Thanks for replying....

There is boost as in the Turbo is clearly audible, just no kickdown..... used to be such a beast even though its an estate......

Would clearing the fault codes again re-set things?

 

[Olivier]

The turbo will still be heard, but if the wastegate is open there would be no boost.
When you floor it, does it goes like before or not? If not I reckon you have no boost, check the MAF or the EGR they are usually the suspect.
Clearing the code might help? At least if you connect it you'll see what is wrong.

 

[franey]

You need to be hooked to a Star before you start guessing at parts, could be one of many things.

......I see you already have!! Why not let the dealer deal with it?

 

[kimjenkins]

Franey Thank you for your reply I would if they could tell me what it is thats wrong. The guy I saw just said there was nothing clearly wrong and they would start at a point and work through it! Unfortunatly I dont have a never ending supply of money to enable them to do that.

Olivier - Thanks for your reply too.
When I floor it you can hear the turbo whistle but it doesnt change down and feels like it wants to go but cant! I have removed the MAF and cleaned as directed from another post on here, but its made no difference. Where is the EGR located and is it something that I can check. Also is there a way to reset the limp home mode or is that only done when the fault codes are re-set? (I have read on here you disconnect the battery for 30mins)

Thanks

kim

 

[Olivier]

Sorry but I cannot tell you where the EGR is in your car, but it happen on the E300TD that if its bloqued the car goes in limp mode, this is why I was wondering if this could not be one of the cause?
Are your air filter,fuel filter and pre fuel filter clean/ been changed?
Might just be a simple issues as not enough fuel going through the filter?

 

[renault12ts]

Forget cleaning the MAF. Get a new one.

 

[kimjenkins]

pre fuel filter? I have changed the fuel and air filters, the air one being absolutely black and blocked.

Husband just drove the car out to get some bricks and said that it seemed ok.... kicked down and shifted like normal..... maybe its just a case of dirty filters + crap fuel, now taking time to clear through?

Will go test it myself and let you know.

Cheers

Kim

 

[Olivier]

There is a wee pre-filter in the E300TD, I assume you have one too? Maybe not, its 2 different car.
Did you change the air filter before putting the topic on the forum, or just now and all is OK then?

 

[kimjenkins]

No, I had the problem before then changed the filters to see if it was it, but still the same. I have had a look for a pre-filter and dont think there is one on it unless its in the lid of the fuel filter housing, but i doubt it.

Thanks for the input Olivier its much appreciated.

kim

 

[kimjenkins]

ok just taken it out and it is changing down when peddal pushed to floor, but still no where near enough powerful........ also as an after thought when it used to shift there was a noise from what i believed (and my brother) to be the turbo release? A kind of ptshhhh

Sorry i am no machanic just a retired machanics daughter

cheers
kim

 

[Olivier]

Perhaps your EGR or manifold is dirty and clogged?

 

[kimjenkins]

ok cool will go looking for a pic of the EGR on my car

Many thanks

kim

 

[franey]

#save yourself the time, money and trouble, just book it into pcs, not too far away from you, he will do better than the dealer and probably identify the problem straight away saving you £££'s
He won't lift your leg either!

 

[kimjenkins]

Hi again Franey

Who and where are pcs? I managed to locate the wastegate this afternoon and with thanks and help from my hubby and bro we sprayed some degreaser on and made sure the arm moved freely..... Still no joy..... Going to order a new MAF and see if thats the cure.

Cheers

Kim

 

[kimjenkins]

ok so I drove the car to the shops and thought ooo that feels better...... put my foot down and off she went!!! .......................... Then beep beep beep EPC fault, visit workshop! OMG think i am falling out with my car :-(

So common then chaps whats this fault? and should i be booking a place at the scrap yard just yet?

Thanks loads

Kim

 

[franey]

I suggest you don't just order a MAF and hope for the best!!
A good quality OE replacement is expensive, and the cheap copy chinese versions are a bit toy town.

Really, take my advice and have PCS take a look:
Mercedes Benz & Smart specialists | Prestige Car Service based in Portsmouth, Hampshire

Not sure how far away from you they are but about 2 inches east of Southampton on the map.

For the £20 in fuel you spend you will save yourself ££££'s on potentially wasted parts.

Perhaps as you say, it could be the MAF but better be sure.

 

[kimjenkins]

Cheers Franey, but thats pretty far for me to go ... i am in Bodmin, Cornwall! I have just been on a long ride with the car and it is back to normal and as wonderful to drive as it ever was.

I will keep an eye on things and see how it goes. I have already ordered a new MAF for it but will hold on fitting it just to see how it goes.

Many thanks for your reply and great advice.

Kim