Check Engine Light with P0130, P0301, P0304, P0303, P0300 codes - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

YuCrew · #1 09-08-2006, 08:54 PM

CEL on 1999 ML430 with 115,000 miles turned on with P0130 (before cat O2 sensor, bank 1) and also showing P0301, P0304, P0303 and P0300 codes.

CEL reset 30 miles ago and has not yet turned on again. Vehicle is starting and running smoothly, no stumbling or hesitation and no unusual smoke out the tailpipe. Fuel economy (well not really economy) is normal. MAF was replaced 50,000 miles ago and plugs (Bosch Platinum +2) at 100,000 miles. Burning 93 octane fuel.

Anyone suspect this is a problem with something other than an O2 sensor that is failing?

Thanks.

mbdoc · #2 09-11-2006, 08:09 AM

Jim,
That is somewhat common, has your ML had the catalyst recalls done?
Most likely a plugged exhaust on that side (right).

YuCrew · #3 09-11-2006, 08:22 AM

Unfortunately, my 1999 ML430 is supposedly not covered by the recall. My model and VIN are in the right "range" but VMI indicates my VIN is not included in the recall. I am really frustrated by this because I have a cracked cat on the drivers side. I've just taken pictures of it and the crack is IDENTICAL to the one shown in Fig 3 of the Procedure documents for the SC-200560014.

The dealer first said they could find no problems. Another trip to the dealer convinced them there is a leak at the driver's side cat but they said I'm not included in the recall. Couldn't even buy a new assembly. They claim they have another customer backordered since December.

I plan to send Mr. Ernst Lieb (new MBUSA CEO) and Klaus Ulkmann a letter requesting a further explanation as to why my VIN, with EXACTLY the same failure as those being recalled, isn't included. Any other advise from the DOC is always useful and valuable. Thanks.

Pic of my driver's side cat is attached.

sdanville · #4 11-27-2006, 05:58 PM

code PO300

PO303, PO304 PO302 PO301 PO305

i replaced the Mass air flow sensor today. Wasted $100.

Went to autozone and the salesman said based on my multi cyl mis fires..he thought spark plugs or wires. Too hard for me to comprehend that in 20,000 miles my 12 new Bosch platinum 2 plugs all failed. And Mercedes over engineered wires ? 2 per cyl.

I accelerate really slow to keep it going. any extra gas and it mis-fires.
at stop lights when it idles rough i will restart and it idles smooth.
Go Figure. I am all ears. I just hate replacing new plugs with newer plugs. I now have a spare MAS.

YuCrew · #5 11-27-2006, 06:06 PM

Steve: Sorry to hear about your problems. Here's an update to my original post when I pulled those codes.

Now have 118,000+ miles and the CEL has not returned. I didn't do anything else but reset CEL and re-fueled. Suspected plug wires but still using original ones and have not yet checked resistances yet.

Also decided to fight MB later on the cat recall. Found a shop who welded the cat seam for $50. Fortunately, the crack was completely visible and had not traveled to the "non-visible" side (somehow, using the word invisible side didn't sound right). The indy shop manager said clearly looked like poor workmanship or machine improperly set.

Good luck.

sdanville · #6 11-27-2006, 09:03 PM

thanks for the reply. my cat is covered by a recall.
but none are in stock in Western Michigan.

Please let us know when you cure your ML.

here is the link to the free cat list.

http://www.epa.gov/oms/cert/recall/420b06001.pdf page 9 is the ML's.

MISFIRED UPDATE. Replaced MAS, 2 bottles of dry gas, unplugged battery for a night. it was running better..then today..20F here..it lugged.. -- misfired -- lost power -- wouldnt accelerate as I pulled into a 4 lane. I had to move to the center lane to get out of the way. I restarted it then it was okay. Stinking computers. I think its some stinking 25 cent computer chip somewhere on some botherboard thats going to cost me thousands.

naytis · #7 12-05-2006, 09:09 AM

my 99 ml430 is doing the same think. some days it will pull hard and some days it will have the shakes. pull over and restart fixes it put is weird.

sdanville · #8 12-05-2006, 09:42 AM

Thanks for the reply. Lets all stay in touch..
Last night I rechecked the EGR tube which was a problem 30,000 miles ago..This time it was not plugged. I cleaned it anyways since I took it off.This morning it started really really rough and stalled for the 1st time in years. There are lots of variables. Maybe the dry gas I put in yesterday sunk to the bottom of the tank and deluted the gas. Maybe the 22F effected it. After 1/2 mile it drove okay again.,.with the exception of a slight rough idle.
I LOL when a guy asked if changing the oil would smooth out his idle..a guy replied he thought he must have the wrong season air in his tires.
I am ready to change my oil and air at this point.

UPDATE: The ML320 started running even rougher. Went back to autozone for a new scan. This time in addition to all cyl mis fires there were 2 fuel delivery codes. i asked about fuel starvation // the salesmand said MAS. I just replaced mine 200 miles ago. So he suggested a fresh set of spark plugs. I replaced the spark plugs. It ran great ! for 2 miles. And still runs better than it did in terms of power. But the idle at stop lights is bad and the check engine light now flashes at idle. What ever my problem is must have fouled my spark plugs.

roadsession · #9 12-05-2006, 03:30 PM

these are cylinder misfire codes.
most likely plugged / failing catalytic converters.

sdanville · #10 12-07-2006, 09:34 PM

I called the Grand Rapids Dealer and asked hoe much longer I had to wait for my cats. He bumped me up on his list. in 13 hours I will know if it is the cats.

This morning i had $3000.00 cats installed for free.
My Problem wwith misfires is gone. I wish I knew for a fact that was
my problem. The service guy said...(They charged me $80) to hook up or replace or reroute a vacuum line that was not working right on the rear of the engine. Maybe it was that, the cats, the computer reset..I may never know but the drive home was glorous. smooth idle, loads of power...no flashing lights.

Update --Bliss didnt last long. Rough idle. bought a code reader. PO170 and PO173. I thought I changed about everything it could be. What ever I change next ... I will update results.
1-29-7 I am now into about two months of trying to smooth my engine. I was down to only a slight rough idle. Then today was late and got on it a little hard. Engine light came on and rough idle. By now Ive bought my own code reader and PO302 came up. Cyl # 2 misfire.
- Tomorrow is Saturday..guess I might try switching coils to see what happens. With two spark plugs per cyl and two ignition wires...hard for me to comprehend its plugs or wires.
August 2007 Update : I installed the high priced stock Bosch plugs. No change. The idiot light only came on once this summer. It was another misfire code. I added sea foam, STP injector cleaner and marvel mystery oil. No luck. The ML320 drives fine and runs great, just has a rough idle yet. Not sure it bothers me enough to try $200 worth of ignition wires.

mbeuroservice · #11 08-28-2007, 02:09 PM

Bosch Platium Spark Plugs From Autozone Are Plain Junk If They Have The 2 Black Rings On The Top Of Them. Only The Platium From Mb With The Blue Rings Will Work In These Cars. I Have Fixed Many Cars By Throwing Away The Autozone Bosch Platium. The Plain Bosch Super Plugs Work Great. Platium Is Just For Long Life. I Want My Plugs Changed After 30 K Any Way.

lkchris · #12 08-28-2007, 06:43 PM

Cat converters are warranted for 8yr/80,000 miles.

Doesn't have to be a recall for them to be replaced, just something wrong with them.