Engine light taped over!

[C200k146]

Hi, my C200k w203 as I have recently discovered has the eml light taped over! This is not good!!! Can I remove the plastic to remove the tape to see if it's on? I'm guessing it is. Thanks

 

[BTB 500]

It will fail the MOT like that so you'd better get it sorted.

AFAIK they check for it coming on with the ignition (and then going out when the engine is started), so it will get spotted.

 

[C200k146]

Cheers mate, just trying to figure out how I get to it???

 

[BTB 500]

Hopefully a W203 owner will be along shortly!

 

[Moth]

Previous owners. What a bunch of b******s. Maybe we are all at risk of transforming into some crooked, greasy used-car dealer the minute we decide to sell a car.

Don't panic, though. If the light's on, it might not be a serious or expensive problem. I suppose you would have noticed any major issues by now anyway - hopefully it's just a sensor out of spec or something like that, something the PO couldn't be bothered to chase down.

Is it worth you calling the seller? Perhaps they'll feel bad about their pathetic little crime and give you some useful information.

Good luck with it.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

As Moth says, you would probably have noticed any major issues by now, depending on how long you've had it of course and if there are warnings showing the first step would be to get it plugged into a Mercedes Star diagnostic machine at a good local MB indie. Assuming that you've had it for too long to return it to the seller and/or you can't go down that route, the following may be of help. The instructions are a bit vague, but once you've got the unit out it should be obvious how to remove the front of it.

Did you buy it with a current MOT and if so when was it done. That should give some indication of when the tape was stuck over the EML.

Anyway..... instructions on removal as best as I can give. Steering wheel removed for previous work done and left off for clarity on this.

 

[C200k146]

Spot on! Thanks a million! Going to be busy this weekend! Hope this all turns out alright I'm a smidge panicky!!! Will let you know how it goes! Cheers again craig

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Spot on! Thanks a million! Going to be busy this weekend! Hope this all turns out alright I'm a smidge panicky!!! Will let you know how it goes! Cheers again craig

Don't forget to disconnect the battery, or at very least make sure the key isn't in the ignition, just to be on the safe side, don't want that wheel airbag going off while you're face is in front of it, they can cause nasty injuries!!!

 

[Danny DeVito]

PO Maggots i say. When i got my car it needed a test a year later. It had no srs light. When i went to check it i found quite a few pieces of tape behind the panel. The srs led was cut off and two of the warning light symbols had been cut out and swapped. So i fixed the srs lamp which turned out to be a faulty child seat sensor. The other lights were all off and worked as normal after. And so it may not be any bad news at all.

 

[sssammm]

if you are near essex, i have an OBD2 scanner, i can see if there is a fault, clear it, and switch off the light

sam

 

[C200k146]

Cheers Sam that would have been amazing but unfortunately I'm up beside Edinburgh. Much appreciated tho!!!

 

[C200k146]

Battery will be disconnected and I can't remember seeing the srs light..... Awwww no!!! The world needs a few more honest people and a lot less crooks!!!

 

[jaymanek]

an SRS fault would show up in the display too anyway IIRC.

 

[C200k146]

Srs is fine, phewww all other lights are spot on. Except two on the side repeater on the wing mirror but that's the least of my worries. Now to get this tape removed and see what horrors lie ahead!

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Any news Craig? Good news though, I'm hoping!

 

[C200k146]

It's booked in for diagnostics in a Mercedes specialist garage next week for full diagnostics. I couldn't get the dash plastics off to remove the tape. Two hooked tools are needed?

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Here you go.....found a video


Mercedes w203 (C-Class) How to Remove/Install The Instrument Cluster - YouTube

 

[C200k146]

Cheers for that, that clears up the confusion! I'll hopefully get a chance to remove the tape before the diagnostics. £58 dosent seem so bad. No idea what a merc dealer would charge?

 

[martyz]

That's expensive,about the same as MB,indies charge around £40.

 

[C200k146]

Hmmm this is an indie, think I may shop around! Cheers for the heads up!