Engine rev issue and Code reader Issue

[AJ1978G]

Good evening everyone,

I am new here, so please be gentle. I apologise if the issues I raise have been posted before.

I have a 2001 E320 Avantgarde (W210). It recently stopped accelerating as it should, the kick down doesn't work and the engine will not rev over 3000rpm. I understand from a post I read on here it is possibly / likely to be the MAF sensor. I have ordered some cleaner to try that and if that doesn't work I will replace the sensor and see if that cures the issue. Could you please confirm if I am on the right track? Please note that every now and then it tries to kick back into life, usually after initial start up, but only briefly then back to the limited acceleration and rpm.

A second issue is that I purchased a RICOKEY Car OBD2 Scanner Universal Wired Auto Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool V309

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G91K17K?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1

However, no matter what i do, I cannot get it to connect to / read the car. I thought maybe the one i had purchased was not compatible, so I purchased a
MOTOPOWER MP69033 OBD2 Scanner Universal Car Engine Fault Code Reader.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Z3HB7DR?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

Unfortunately that has come up with the same issue and will not connect / read the car. I followed the instructions of turning the ignition on, selecting read codes and each time the reader tries to connect. However, every time it comes up with the message to wait 10 seconds and try again.

I know the port works, as the guy at the local garage has a basic reader and was able to read the codes previously. I though I would get a reader myself to save taking it up to him, but i must be doing something wrong, or the ones I have purchased are not compatible.

Any help or advice will be very much appreciated.

Andy

 

[tony gee]

Hi Andy, they are cheap Chinese crap, your gona have to spend much more cash for a decent scanner

 

[AJ1978G]

Oh I see. Are there any you would recommend?

 

[AMGeed]

Welcome to the forum Andy.
I think you are on the right track suspecting a MAF issue. Once you get a decent code reader, a fault code should be stored once it goes into limp mode.
The code reader of choice seems to be the iCarsoft V2 although I understand there may be a newer version available now. Be careful to buy from a reputable source (not eBay) as there are fake readers on sale that won't download updates. It's not cheap, but does the job and can save you the cost of diagnosis for many issues.

 

[Mickyh7]

Hello Andy, I too was put off by the cost of a decent fault code reader.
After taking advice from here, I bought one, same as the above icarsoft.
Certainly not cheap, but....
It's paid gor itself, and more, on the first use.

 

[AJ1978G]

That is great. Thanks for the advice. I will look to get one of those and see how I go. I will update here as and when I have solved the issue, so my issues can hopefully help any others with the same problems in future.

 

[tony gee]

Oh I see. Are there any you would recommend?

ive got a Foxwell NT530 that I bought from the UK supplier with the full Mercedes software installed, not the cheapest but theirs not much it can't do. plus it will do a basic scan of other makes.

 

[AJ1978G]

Good afternoon,

I thought I would put an update on here.

Following the advice on here regarding a reader I have purchased an MB icarsoft V2 reader. It seems it does an awful lot more than I need it to (although I may look to use more functions now that I have it). However, I was at least able to read the fault codes (unlike with the two cheap options I have previously purchased). Although I would have been able to read the fault codes, if there had been any to read. No faults showing which is a blessing in one sense, but meant I was no further forward in solving my issue.

I purchased some MAF sensor cleaner and proceeded to remove the sensor and clean it. Put it back in and the problems remained. I therefore purchased a replacement MAF sensor (Hella Air Mass Meter HELLA Air Mass Meter | GSF Car Parts) There were cheaper options available, some much cheaper. However, rightly or wrongly i do believe that most of the time you get what you pay for, so chose one that was more expensive.

Installed it and the car is back to normal. It now revs past 3000rpm when stationary and accelerates like it used to, plus the kickdown now works again too.

I was getting 40mpg on a 60 mile non motorway / non duel carriageway drive. Im not sure if that is good or bad for a 2001 E320 W210. However, I was happy enough with it. I would love to know if it is what would be expected or what mpg others here get.

It will be interesting to see if the new MAF sensor makes any difference to the mpg. I will add a further update once I have carried out a similar journey.

Thanks.