Engine Management Light on Vito 120cdi, 2007

[BentleyBubble]

Hi, My engine management light has been coming on over the last 18 months or so, but generally showing no fault. Sometimes it goes into limp mode with it on, sometimes not. It even went into limp mode with no EML on. Either way after about 10 restarts it generally re-sets itself and everything is fine for a few more months. I am wondering whether it could be to do with software as my clock has not re-set itself on the dash and is showing an incorrect time. (There is no way of re-setting it according to the manual it is an auto update, but the command system is correct and can be changed but the dash clock does not change with it - may be totally irrelevant), My SAT NAV also had a mental breakdown showing me to be miles from where I was, The EML also illuminated when a bulb went out (co-incidence?) and when a fuse went for the sunroof (co-incidence?). In general it drives wonderfully (when not in limp mode), it is almost 14 years old with 150,000 miles on the clock we have had it from new and I love it. We have spent thousands over the last two years on glow plugs etc and other things to keep it running, all done through a main dealership. However, we are likely to use our local garage, that has a good reputation and specialises in all things German. They put it on the fault finder and the code says that it could be the Turbo or the EGR Valve, but then why would the light go out if there was still a problem and drive fine. Gut feeling is it is an electronic glitch or software type issue. Thoughts/experience anyone?

 

[BTB 500]

I also have a 2007 Vito 120 owned from new with full MB service history, used as a private car for us and our dogs. Currently on about 120k miles.

After being super-reliable for years (apart from blowing glowplugs fairly regularly) it went through a really bad patch with multiple EML / limp mode episodes over a period of about 16 months. Unlike your symptoms though these didn't clear after restarts, and all required sensors etc. replacing to clear. But one thing we found very quickly was that our good local garage really struggled ... in fact they were unable to clear an EGR fault, even after fitting a new EGR valve. We ended up taking it to a main dealer who sorted it straight away - their diagnostic equipment is far superior and their charges are pretty reasonable, so that's what I would suggest.

The other thing that might possibly be relevant is that the instrument cluster developed a mind of its own and would 're-boot' periodically while driving. This steadily got worse (more frequent) and it cleared the trip mileage each time plus the fuel gauge didn't display correctly after it came back, so not good on a long run! A well known cluster repair specialist (used by Wheeler Dealers etc.) had several goes at fixing it including fitting a new CPU, but gave up in the end. New cluster fitted by a dealer was the only solution in the end (but the silver lining was that we then had a 'range' display which wasn't there before!).

Just for info. the things that failed on ours were:

1. Crankshaft position sensor (this killed it dead and turned out to be a known fault, which was fixed under recall for all MB models with the V6 CDI apart from the Vito)
2. DPF pressure sensor (limp mode)
3. EGR valve (limp mode)
4. DPF temperature sensor (limp mode - this was seized and had to be drilled out and re-tapped with the DPF off the van)
5. MAF sensor (limp mode - this happened several times with a software update tried initially but in the end the sensor had to be replaced)

The biggie was then a failed turbo. There's a known issue with the exhaust manifolds, which have a steel liner inside them. If you're unlucky this can delaminate and break up, sending bits of metal into the turbo. New turbo and manifolds required - this is an engine-out job on the Vito and took around 2 weeks at a main dealer.

Total bill for that lot was over £7k and it was off the road for over 6 weeks in total. I got some 'goodwill discount' from the dealer for both the turbo work and instrument cluster but got nowhere with MB Customer Services about the CPS failure (which needed a callout as the van was stranded with an engine that wouldn't fire at all). It was known that all V6 CDI engines built between certain dates had a defective sensor which was liable to fail without warning, hence the safety recall for all other MB vehicles that were potentially affected.

 

[BentleyBubble]

I also have a 2007 Vito 120 owned from new with full MB service history, used as a private car for us and our dogs. Currently on about 120k miles.

After being super-reliable for years (apart from blowing glowplugs fairly regularly) it went through a really bad patch with multiple EML / limp mode episodes over a period of about 16 months. Unlike your symptoms though these didn't clear after restarts, and all required sensors etc. replacing to clear. But one thing we found very quickly was that our good local garage really struggled ... in fact they were unable to clear an EGR fault, even after fitting a new EGR valve. We ended up taking it to a main dealer who sorted it straight away - their diagnostic equipment is far superior and their charges are pretty reasonable, so that's what I would suggest.

The other thing that might possibly be relevant is that the instrument cluster developed a mind of its own and would 're-boot' periodically while driving. This steadily got worse (more frequent) and it cleared the trip mileage each time plus the fuel gauge didn't display correctly after it came back, so not good on a long run! A well known cluster repair specialist (used by Wheeler Dealers etc.) had several goes at fixing it including fitting a new CPU, but gave up in the end. New cluster fitted by a dealer was the only solution in the end (but the silver lining was that we then had a 'range' display which wasn't there before!).

Just for info. the things that failed on ours were:

1. Crankshaft position sensor (this killed it dead and turned out to be a known fault, which was fixed under recall for all MB models with the V6 CDI apart from the Vito)
2. DPF pressure sensor (limp mode)
3. EGR valve (limp mode)
4. DPF temperature sensor (limp mode - this was seized and had to be drilled out and re-tapped with the DPF off the van)
5. MAF sensor (limp mode - this happened several times with a software update tried initially but in the end the sensor had to be replaced)

The biggie was then a failed turbo. There's a known issue with the exhaust manifolds, which have a steel liner inside them. If you're unlucky this can delaminate and break up, sending bits of metal into the turbo. New turbo and manifolds required - this is an engine-out job on the Vito and took around 2 weeks at a main dealer.

Total bill for that lot was over £7k and it was off the road for over 6 weeks in total. I got some 'goodwill discount' from the dealer for both the turbo work and instrument cluster but got nowhere with MB Customer Services about the CPS failure (which needed a callout as the van was stranded with an engine that wouldn't fire at all). It was known that all V6 CDI engines built between certain dates had a defective sensor which was liable to fail without warning, hence the safety recall for all other MB vehicles that were potentially affected.

Hi Bill,

Thank you for such an informative reply. We also use our van for dogs, work, bikes and travel. It is such a useful workhorse.

We had the manifold replaced 18 months ago, when we had the glow plugs replaced. I wouldn't want to spend £7000 on it now as we have probably spent almost £4,000 in the last 3 years, so there will come a time when we have to say enough. Problem is I don't like the new Vito as much as mine!

Good advice, we will discuss our options with the local garage where it is booked in as he is also a personal friend, so hopefully will get an honest opinion as to the way forward.

Many Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[rizzer]

I also have a 2007 Vito 120 owned from new with full MB service history, used as a private car for us and our dogs. Currently on about 120k miles.

After being super-reliable for years (apart from blowing glowplugs fairly regularly) it went through a really bad patch with multiple EML / limp mode episodes over a period of about 16 months. Unlike your symptoms though these didn't clear after restarts, and all required sensors etc. replacing to clear. But one thing we found very quickly was that our good local garage really struggled ... in fact they were unable to clear an EGR fault, even after fitting a new EGR valve. We ended up taking it to a main dealer who sorted it straight away - their diagnostic equipment is far superior and their charges are pretty reasonable, so that's what I would suggest.

The other thing that might possibly be relevant is that the instrument cluster developed a mind of its own and would 're-boot' periodically while driving. This steadily got worse (more frequent) and it cleared the trip mileage each time plus the fuel gauge didn't display correctly after it came back, so not good on a long run! A well known cluster repair specialist (used by Wheeler Dealers etc.) had several goes at fixing it including fitting a new CPU, but gave up in the end. New cluster fitted by a dealer was the only solution in the end (but the silver lining was that we then had a 'range' display which wasn't there before!).

Just for info. the things that failed on ours were:

1. Crankshaft position sensor (this killed it dead and turned out to be a known fault, which was fixed under recall for all MB models with the V6 CDI apart from the Vito)
2. DPF pressure sensor (limp mode)
3. EGR valve (limp mode)
4. DPF temperature sensor (limp mode - this was seized and had to be drilled out and re-tapped with the DPF off the van)
5. MAF sensor (limp mode - this happened several times with a software update tried initially but in the end the sensor had to be replaced)

The biggie was then a failed turbo. There's a known issue with the exhaust manifolds, which have a steel liner inside them. If you're unlucky this can delaminate and break up, sending bits of metal into the turbo. New turbo and manifolds required - this is an engine-out job on the Vito and took around 2 weeks at a main dealer.

Total bill for that lot was over £7k and it was off the road for over 6 weeks in total. I got some 'goodwill discount' from the dealer for both the turbo work and instrument cluster but got nowhere with MB Customer Services about the CPS failure (which needed a callout as the van was stranded with an engine that wouldn't fire at all). It was known that all V6 CDI engines built between certain dates had a defective sensor which was liable to fail without warning, hence the safety recall for all other MB vehicles that were potentially affected.

Hi. I have a 2009 120, had it from new with just over 80k on now. About 2-3 years ago I had same problem with it keep going into limp mode then reset after a few starts. Main dealer had it and replaced EGR Valve, been fine since then. I expect I am to late with my reply but hope you have now sorted it.