Power down and engine warning light on

[Swotty]

2003 Cl600 W215

After a high-spirited "boot", the power dropped and the amber engine warning light came on. Engine will not rev over 2,500 and car seems limited to around 60 mph.

Put the OBD reader on and it's showing multiple cylinder misfires (300, 302, 305, 306) plus both banks running rich.

I know I'll have to get it to the dealer and on STAR but, although labour rates are cheap here, parts certainly aren't.

Am I looking at coil packs, ignition control modules, air mass flow sensors?

Any advice gratefully received.

If replacement of expensive stuff is needed, can anyone suggest a UK or USA supplier, please?

Thanks,

Stuart

 

[mbenz1]

Regarding parts, I had some parts replaced on my CLK at MB. HT leads and coil pack (next week).

MB wanted £25 per HT Lead and £125 for one coil pack.

Since the original parts were Bosch, I found a Bosch parts distributer in Loughborough - £8 for one HT lead and £60 for one coil pack, new and direct from Bosch. A substantial saving for me. The company is TT Automotive. Since I'm in Leicester, I got free next day delivery too.

 

[Swotty]

Thanks, mbenz1.

Does anyone have an inkling of what the actual problem may be? Anyone had similar or identical issues, please?

Just want to be better informed, when the dealer comes out and says megabucks for replacing loads.

Thanks,

Stuart

 

[mbenz1]

Thanks, mbenz1.

Does anyone have an inkling of what the actual problem may be? Anyone had similar or identical issues, please?

Just want to be better informed, when the dealer comes out and says megabucks for replacing loads.

Thanks,

Stuart

I just had my CLK 320 diagnosed by STAR and it came with P0300 and P0304 and some MAF codes. Next week a new coil pack will be installed and codes then cleared by MB so can't conclude yet. But its clear that the problem is ignition related.

If your problem is ignition related, then its likely to be either plugs, leads, coil packs, MAF sensors or a combination.

I have ended up replacing all plugs, leads, MAF and one coil pack is still to be replaced.


Someone with more technical knowledge can hopefully direct you specifically.

 

[Swotty]

Thanks again, mbenz1!

Stuart

 

[M5 London]

Were you able to clear the fault codes at all and see which ones return ?

It seems you are in Limp Home mode.

 

[Swotty]

No - I didn't want to clear the codes in case it affected the STAR diagnosis. I often have a habit of doing things which seem a good idea at the time, but then someone says .... if you hadn't done that, we could ......!

Yes, seems to be running on half power, though still quite smooth. She starts O.K.

I've booked her in for STAR on Tuesday morning, but the Workshop manager I normally deal with is off following an accident and the place seems to be a bit headless without him and I just know the technician is going to recommend we change everything.

Would it hurt to try and clear the codes? Will STAR pick up everything if I do?

Cheers,

Stuart

 

[M5 London]

No - I didn't want to clear the codes in case it affected the STAR diagnosis. I often have a habit of doing things which seem a good idea at the time, but then someone says .... if you hadn't done that, we could ......!

Yes, seems to be running on half power, though still quite smooth. She starts O.K.

I've booked her in for STAR on Tuesday morning, but the Workshop manager I normally deal with is off following an accident and the place seems to be a bit headless without him and I just know the technician is going to recommend we change everything.

Would it hurt to try and clear the codes? Will STAR pick up everything if I do?

Cheers,

Stuart

I reckon you should make a record of all the current codes.

Then clear them all

Go for spin and then re check codes.

 

[Swotty]

O.K. - will try that!

Thanks,

Stuart

 

[grober]

Pray its not one of the ignition coil cassettes!
[YOUTUBE]ijuC3Qgwt08[/YOUTUBE]

 

[optimusprime]

coil pack

Grober this shook me .I think to own one of these Mercedes you must have 5 foot pockets in you pants. To fit that over large wallet in . But if you own one you should be rich enough to run it.

 

[Swotty]

That's the non TT engine, isn't it?

Stuart

 

[Swotty]

Update .......... took the car in for the STAR diagnosis Tuesday morning. Engine (amber) light on but car behaved impeccably as though previous problems had disappeared.

The Workshop Manager is off sick (broken foot - footie accident) and so had to deal with the No 2. Asked to see a printout of results but not joy - he said they don't do that!

He said the "Valise" (apparently the laptop is called a suitcase over here!) showed multiple electrical malfunctions which he thought were down to the plugs needing replacing. He asked if the originals had ever been replaced and I really don't know as I'm still in the process of getting the detailed invoices from the garages who carried out the services. No plug replacement is ticked in the service book and services are up to date - current one now due (A service).

He's quoted £10.70/plug (there are 24!)

To do the A service including all fluids & filters, replace all 24 plugs comes to £887, which includes 4.25 hours labour.

Labour charge here is €60 or £45/hour, incl tax ........ it's the price of the bl**dy parts which bumps up the price!

Replacement coil packs are priced at £2342 for the 2. He said f the plugs don't sure the problem, new coil packs are the next step.

Car is still running fine. Engine light has been cancelled. I need to have the service done and will arrange it for early in the new year, but I wasn't expecting the plugs to be the possible cause .......... does anyone have a view on this, please?

I know from mbenz1 (thanks again!) that I can get the coil packs cheaper and I suppose new plugs will be needed at some stage (car is 11 years old with just under 50K miles) ................ are the plugs available cheaper in the UK? I didn't think £10.70/plug was too bad for Merc parts.

Any help & advice gratefully received,

Thanks,

Stuart

 

[mbenz1]

Update .......... took the car in for the STAR diagnosis Tuesday morning. Engine (amber) light on but car behaved impeccably as though previous problems had disappeared.

The Workshop Manager is off sick (broken foot - footie accident) and so had to deal with the No 2. Asked to see a printout of results but not joy - he said they don't do that!

He said the "Valise" (apparently the laptop is called a suitcase over here!) showed multiple electrical malfunctions which he thought were down to the plugs needing replacing. He asked if the originals had ever been replaced and I really don't know as I'm still in the process of getting the detailed invoices from the garages who carried out the services. No plug replacement is ticked in the service book and services are up to date - current one now due (A service).

He's quoted £10.70/plug (there are 24!)

To do the A service including all fluids & filters, replace all 24 plugs comes to £887, which includes 4.25 hours labour.

Labour charge here is €60 or £45/hour, incl tax ........ it's the price of the bl**dy parts which bumps up the price!

Replacement coil packs are priced at £2342 for the 2. He said f the plugs don't sure the problem, new coil packs are the next step.

Car is still running fine. Engine light has been cancelled. I need to have the service done and will arrange it for early in the new year, but I wasn't expecting the plugs to be the possible cause .......... does anyone have a view on this, please?

I know from mbenz1 (thanks again!) that I can get the coil packs cheaper and I suppose new plugs will be needed at some stage (car is 11 years old with just under 50K miles) ................ are the plugs available cheaper in the UK? I didn't think £10.70/plug was too bad for Merc parts.

Any help & advice gratefully received,

Thanks,

Stuart

They should be able to give you the print out - MB Leicester did when I asked for it.

Where are you located? (I'm using a smart phone so can't see your location, if listed)

If the coil packs in your engine are originally manufactured by Bosch, then its worth looking for a Bosch Distributer near your location. If they are not Bosch and only MB, then I can't comment on whether its a better idea to only use MB coil packs instead of Bosch ones.

Also search ebay for some prices? MB parts are priced heavily, I wouldn't be surprised tbh.

Any MB specialist/indy near by to your location?

In my car, the old plugs of cylinder 4 were black and sooty and that was due to a faulty coil pack of the same cylinder, which in result was causing a slight misfire...

If you are a DIY person, I would suggest maybe doing some basic condition assessments of the plugs in the cylinders stated in the fault codes?

Don't also forget about MAF sensors and plug leads...

I hope some more technically-knowledgeable members can assist you.

 

[grober]

Update .......... took the car in for the STAR diagnosis Tuesday morning. Engine (amber) light on but car behaved impeccably as though previous problems had disappeared.

The Workshop Manager is off sick (broken foot - footie accident) and so had to deal with the No 2. Asked to see a printout of results but not joy - he said they don't do that!

He said the "Valise" (apparently the laptop is called a suitcase over here!) showed multiple electrical malfunctions which he thought were down to the plugs needing replacing. He asked if the originals had ever been replaced and I really don't know as I'm still in the process of getting the detailed invoices from the garages who carried out the services. No plug replacement is ticked in the service book and services are up to date - current one now due (A service).

He's quoted £10.70/plug (there are 24!)

To do the A service including all fluids & filters, replace all 24 plugs comes to £887, which includes 4.25 hours labour.

Labour charge here is €60 or £45/hour, incl tax ........ it's the price of the bl**dy parts which bumps up the price!

Replacement coil packs are priced at £2342 for the 2. He said f the plugs don't sure the problem, new coil packs are the next step.

Car is still running fine. Engine light has been cancelled. I need to have the service done and will arrange it for early in the new year, but I wasn't expecting the plugs to be the possible cause .......... does anyone have a view on this, please?

I know from mbenz1 (thanks again!) that I can get the coil packs cheaper and I suppose new plugs will be needed at some stage (car is 11 years old with just under 50K miles) ................ are the plugs available cheaper in the UK? I didn't think £10.70/plug was too bad for Merc parts.

Any help & advice gratefully received,

Thanks,

Stuart

Do you have the long ignition cassettes or discrete coils? I am still not sure what we are talking about. Better still take a picture . What are the numbers on the plugs?

 

[grober]

Part no for the plugs is A0041591403 Afaik they are NGK platinum iridium long life plugs
type IFR6Q-G You should be able to get them slightly cheaper if you a) hunt around and b) ask for a discount on a bulk buy of 24

coil cassette part nos are LEFT A2751500780 and RIGHT A2751500680 note both these are revised parts there is one earlier version of both.

 

[Swotty]

Thanks for the swift replies!

I'm in south-west France and the garage I use is a Top Marques franchise (Mercs, BMWs, Jags, Ferarris, Rolls etc) which has given me excellent service on my Jag XKR for the past 7 years. Trouble is, when Pierre (the boss) is away, the rest are clueless and I won't get a copy of the printout unless he is there.

Car is June 2003 so one of the early twin-turbos.

I'll put my OBD on it again and see if anything has been thrown up since they reset it. Don't know which coil type - I have assumed it's the long one on each side as I don't think individual ones were fitted to the TT?

I'll have a look at getting the parts cheaper from the sources you've mentioned as I always knew there was a chance of having to buy replacement coils at some stage of ownership ........ and I'll chase the previous service details to see if the plugs have been changed.

Does anyone know the life of the plugs, please? Is it mileage or time related? Can't believe they haven't been changed by Merc servicing at some stage in the past 11 years.

Thanks again,

Stuart

 

[grober]

According to NGK [Laser] aka Platinum Iridium plugs typically last 80-100k miles. Don't confuse these with NGK 's cheaper plain Iridium plugs which are good for about half that i.e. around 40-50K miles. http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/DYK_LaserIridium_vs_Iridium IX.pdf

 

[mbenz1]

According to NGK [Laser] aka Platinum Iridium plugs typically last 80-100k miles. Don't confuse these with NGK 's cheaper plain Iridium plugs which are good for about half that i.e. around 40-50K miles. http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/pdf/DYK_LaserIridium_vs_Iridium%20IX.pdf

+1 to Grober's post. Plugs are changed at mileage intervals. Oil is changed at time or mileage intervals (which ever comes first in most cases)

 

[Swotty]

Thanks again guys ........ I suspect I have the older type plugs so time to change if not already done.

Stuart