Check Engine Light on C200K

[Strangely Brown]

When I started the car after work last night, it started up with a bad mis-fire, closely followed by the check engine light (CEL?). I switched off, waited a few seconds and tried again. This time it started cleanly and ran fine all the way home. However, the CEL has stayed on.

I took the car into my normal garage and asked them to check it out but their Snap-On diagnostic kit cannot talk to my car.

It's a 2000 W202 C200 Kompressor Estate with Tip-Auto gearbox. Code 202087 apparently but the only place their kit can find that code is for a 2001 car and it expects the diag socket to be under the dash near the bonnet release. Mine is under the bonnet near the tax disc.

Anyway, having tried various permutations, the Snap-On kit will not talk to the car, so I am currently stuck with the light on.

The car started and ran absolutely fine this morning, but with the bloody light on.

I have read several different suggestions for resetting the CEL on different forums.

1. It'll go off on its own after a few days/drive cycles - Will it?
2. Disconnect battery - I understand this only works on pre-OBDII cars?
3. Dealer only reset - I am half resigned to this already.

Whilst I am curious as to why it misfired and caused the light to trigger in the first place, I am not concerned that there is actually anything "broken". As I say, the car feels fine.

Does anyone know what the validity of the DIY methods for CEL reset? or do I have to go to the dealer?

[Classy6]

It's not quite as simple as that mate.

A CEL isn't a light that comes on at random, it's come on because you have a PROBLEM with your car.

In order for the CEL to be turned off, the fault needs to rectified, then fault code erased. Other wise the malfunction light will stay on.

There are no tips or tricks to turning it off. Resetting the battery may reset the light, but if there is a fault, it'll just come back on.

I suggest taking it to a dealer or MERC independant that has the knowledge & equipment to sort the fault.

Edited by Classy6 on Thursday 9th July 21:22

[Strangely Brown]

Thanks for that.

I know there is/was a problem and the light came on because the car was mis-firing. Now, however, it isn't and it would be useful to know if the problem was simply transitory or is actually a hard fault. I could do that my resetting the light and seeing if it comes back on. That's why I want to know if there is a way of resetting the light without going to the expense of visiting a dealer.

If there is no way to do it without visiting a dealer/specialist then I am resigned to that. I just wanted to rule out as much as possible before taking that step.

Edited by Strangely Brown on Thursday 9th July 22:17

[Classy6]

Strangely Brown said:

Thanks for that.

I know there is/was a problem and the light came on because the car was mis-firing. Now, however, it isn't and it would be useful to know if the problem was simply transitory or is actually a hard fault. I could do that my resetting the light and seeing if it comes back on. That's why I want to know if there is a way of resetting the light without going to the expense of visiting a dealer.

If there is no way to do it without visiting a dealer/specialist then I am resigned to that. I just wanted to rule out as much as possible before taking that step.

Edited by Strangely Brown on Thursday 9th July 22:17

As far as I know the only way to reset that light is via a DAS or another type of fault code eraser. It is literally a 5 minute job to erase the fault codes although I would recommend having the fault code looked at briefly before it's erased just so that if it happens again (EML comes on), it can be noted as a re-occuring fault.

TBH... my dealer charges barely anything for short diagnosis... however this is entirely dependant on who your dealing with. Your probably get a free health check to lol