Fault Codes

[NEARLY]

1995 E420
CAN THE FAULT CODES BE READ FROM THE RADIO OR IS ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED.

[Robert Goodwin]

Can't do it on our 95 E300D. There is a boatload of info on the net about the codes. Someone correct me if I got it wrong, but I think the U.S. required the codes beginning on 1996 models sold here. The Federal required codes are some basic emmission requirements. More involved codes for other parts of the car are proprietary, although other readers may read them with adapters. Some web sites list the models and codes that can be read. My recollection of Mercedes is that most of the C class models are covered (Federal) and very little else.

[Robby Ackerman]

On some models fault codes can be read from the radio.

On my '94 E320 I can depress the black button on the thingy by the battery and count the red flashes. Recently I got a check engine light, checked the thingy and got 5 flashes = the EGR, then reset it.

[Robert Goodwin]

You guys with the gas cars get all the benefits of computerization. The diesel cars seem to just keep running and running. We don't even have a check engine light.