1999 v e320 running problems

[simon winn]

Hi, I have just been given a 98/99T e320 elegance with 220k miles on the clock. Apparently the car has been diagnosed with either an ecu fault or a faulty MAF (by a garage with no experience in MB's who wanted to keep it for scrap) . The car starts but runs roughly and will not rev. I have disconnected the MAF and the car revs to 3500 which it won't do with it connected but is still rough. Any ideas before I replace the MAF? Where is the ECU and will it be coded to the car? (I have read threads regarding this on older models).

Any advise gladly received.... p.s. - the loom that runs over the engine does not look degegraded although I have not checked it all.

regards Simon.

 

[carabind]

MAF does sound the logical place to start, as disconnecting is driving an "average" value which is improving things. Unless you've got a good mate with an identical car who will let you test the MAF by swapping, you really need to get to somene with some expertise like an indie dealer.
Have you tried cleaning the MAF as a starter for ten (Plenty of threads alrday posted to help you)

 

[jberks]

At this stage it could be abolutely anything. I'd start with an indie or you could spend ages and lots of money chasing the wrong faults.
The fact that it runs better with a dissed MAS is indicative, but it simply forces the ECu to run a default map, which in turn can mask a number of other issues. If it had run perfectly without the MAS then it's a good bet, but a it still runs roughly, you have lots of other expensive possibilities from plugs and leads, ignition blocks and ECUs. Best let a specilist have a shuftie first.

 

[simon winn]

e320 running problems

Thanks for the advise guys. Does anyone have an idea of the cars value - it is very clean with only a few slight parking dings - perfect black interior and everything works with the exception of it running properly. Tyres are all new and it is full to the brim with fuel.... I have a niggly feeling that if I fix this problem I could spend a lot of time on this forum (I see that Hanz spent £600 fixing an ECU problem). regards