CAR HELP

[Will14]

So this afternoon I started the car and the EML light came on straight away, switched off connected the code reader and cleared the fault, restarted the car and drove it a good 50 miles without the light coming back on (Previously the light would come back on straight away) parked the car up for 40 minutes or so, started the engine and the light came back on after a few seconds, same as earlier cleared the code and drove the long way home no light & car going like it should do, on the way home I had the auto stop start switched on and got caught in a bit of traffic and at some traffic lights, the car stopped and restarted as it should with no light illuminated. When I got home switched the car off on the driveway and restarted after a few minutes and yup the light came back on

So the light will stay off when being driven and only comes back on when the ignition is cycled. When I clear the code I get an amber light as opposed to the green tick I normally get when a code is erased but no codes are showing as being present

I am now wondering if a combination of the car having a full service including oil & filter this week, the tank of fresh V Power Diesel along with DPF cleaning additive may have done some good, and my £25 code reader knocking the light out but not actually clearing the fault from the ECU?

Some slight positives there I hope 

[KiwiCol]

What's the actual code?  That'd be the first thing to determine in solving this.    Did the service timer get reset after that work? 

Reckon Grog will be your man on this . . .

[Will14]

What's the actual code?  That'd be the first thing to determine in solving this.    Did the service timer get reset after that work?

Reckon Grog will be your man on this . . .

The code is P24C600 which apparently points to the soot particle sensor in the exhaust - It just seems strange to me that now if i clear the fault the light doesnt come back on again until the ignition is cycled again

The service timer was reset when the work was done in the week, my initial thought last weekend when the light first came on it could have been down to the quality of the old oil degrading

If I have to change the sensor will, just a bit of a pill to swallow at £500 especially on a 4.5 year car which cost well over £40K when new 

Thanks eveyrone for your input, much appreciated

Pete 

[grog]

Seems this is a common Merc fault, so much that Merc Canada extended the wrty on DPF sensor. As for scanners,there are scanners then there are scanners.My small one,read and clear but if i connect workshop mega dollar tool, it can take 1/2 hr to scan and often finds numerous faults still logged.Tough one Will.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

Generic  code readers will only clear codes from the display, not from the ECU. Don't need to spend megabucks like a full workshop unit, but a £25 jobby won't cut the mustard either.

Re sensor, I'd go with the aftermarket Bosch unit for sure if it has the same part no.

[hard road]

Generic  code readers will only clear codes from the display, not from the ECU. Don't need to spend megabucks like a full workshop unit, but a £25 jobby won't cut the mustard either.

Re sensor, I'd go with the aftermarket Bosch unit for sure if it has the same part no.

I agree, go with the Bosch part, they are quality German parts and you will find that some parts in a Merc box will be Bosch, same with BMW. 

[VladTepes]

Will, not easy sometimes DPF probs. Long hard run might cure it. My work Hilux, just gone, had 5 new filters/180th ks, under wrty. I wont write their price,no one would believe.

Oh I would. DPF are ridiculous.  That an ad-blue are useless shite foisted on us for "reasons".
Yep I'll stick to my old Tdi diesel Landy

[Will14]

The car has been fixed at long last, purchased the sensor via an approved independent Merc garage who also fitted it. The only difference with the sensor was it didn't have a Merc part number printed on it

The garage fitted the sensor & updated to the latest Mercedes software without any issues, the whole job worked out half the original price and was done in less than an hour

I wrote to Merc customer services over a month ago and have phoned them since, still no reply, I have also phoned the local official merc dealership three times in a month and still didn't manage to speak with the service department, they are short staffed apparently but will get back to me lol, Mercedes customer service is shocking. I will be changing the car next year but will not be going for another Mercedes

Thanks again for your replies

Pete

[grog]

Well done Will. Not a pessimist but Mates neighbour had similar fixed. It stuffed up again, took it and traded it in. Your call but just saying.

[Will14]

Well done Will. Not a pessimist but Mates neighbour had similar fixed. It stuffed up again, took it and traded it in. Your call but just saying.

Totally agree with you Grog, I think get xmas out of the way and trade her in for something different I did think about electric possibly but will delay the inevitable I think

Thanks

[VladTepes]

Many years ago Mercedes built things to a high quality and they lasted.  For some time now that has no longer been the case.  Shame.

Most German cars I wouldn't even consider, and especially here as prices are inflated.

Japanese cars on the other hand are (generally) pretty good as are Hyundai and Kia.

[KiwiCol]

Buy an old Merc then Vlad . . .

[Andre]

Many years ago Mercedes built things to a high quality and they lasted.  For some time now that has no longer been the case.  Shame.

Most German cars I wouldn't even consider, and especially here as prices are inflated.

Japanese cars on the other hand are (generally) pretty good as are Hyundai and Kia.

Fully agree.

Buy an old Merc then Vlad . . .

How old? Wouldn't buy a Merc build after 2000. I had a private talk with an official Merc repair shop headman almost 20 years ago. When I naively stated that they are good cars his reply was : "Nope!!! They used to be good. Now they got lots of problems. Mostly the electrical/electronic type."

[VladTepes]

Buy an old Merc then Vlad . . .

If I even win the lotto I'll be getting one of these for sure.

450SL

and a

280SE