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Common Failures with 272/273 Engines, ME97

Andrew from Commack Technician Posted Latest

Tech Tip

Driveability

Electrical

2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic 5.5L (273.968) 7-spd (722.9)—WDDNG71X97A061055

P0638 - Throttle Actuator Control Range/Performance Bank 1

P2176 - Throttle Actuator "A" Control System - Idle Position Not Learned

P2237 - O2 Sensor Positive Current Control Circuit/Open Bank 1 Sensor 1

P2240 - O2 Sensor Positive Current Control Circuit/Open Bank 2 Sensor 1

P0030 - HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 1

P0050 - HO2S Heater Control Circuit Bank 2 Sensor 1

P064D - Internal Control Module O2 Sensor Processor Performance Bank 1

P064E - Internal Control Module O2 Sensor Processor Performance Bank 2

P0607 - Control Module Performance

1337 - Alternator Serial Interface

0228 - M16/6 (Throttle Valve Actuator) : Throttle Valve Jamming (Iced Up)

0218 - M16/6 (Throttle Valve Actuator) : The Throttle Valve Is Jamming Or Is Stiff

0565 - G3/4 (Right O2 Sensor Before Twc [Kat]):Voltage Is Too High

0569 - G3/3 (Left O2 Sensor Before Twc (Kat)): Voltage Is Too High

0443 - Heating Of Component G3/4 (Right O2 Sensor Before Twc [Kat]) : Open Circuit

0447 - Heating Of Component G3/3 (Left O2 Sensor Before Twc (Kat)): Open Circuit

0450 - The Electronic Analysis System For The O2 Sensor In The Engine Control Unit Is Defective

0454 - The Electronic Analysis System For The O2 Sensor In The Engine Control Unit Is Defective

0439 - The Electronic Analysis System For The O2 Sensor In The Engine Control Unit Is Defective

0435 - The Electronic Analysis System For The O2 Sensor In The Engine Control Unit Is Defective

0217 - M16/6 (Throttle Valve Actuator) : The Throttle Valve Is Jamming Or Is Stiff

0228

Crank / No Start

Knowing these four pattern failures of the ME97 engine controller for the 272-273 engine can help expedite your diagnosis and avoid replacing the wrong parts.

In MY … the fuel pump relay control (Pin 17) can fail intermittently causing no start and stalling concerns.

If the ground near the ignition coil is left off after repairs and the engine is cranked, the ignition coil drivers for that entire bank can burn out. It has happened that quickly. Beckmann Technologies / Bluelink Diag can repair these and they may have reman or used units for the other failures.

The CKPS sensor up until about mid 2007 fails, especially when hot. You can measure continuity across it when heating it up and you may see it go open if the sensor is bad. (Not an ME failure, but worth noting here).

Lastly, the trifecta. If you get current codes for throttle, oxygen sensor, and alternator, and they come back when the key is cycled on, you're probably looking at a bad module. If you have another one around you can plug it in and turn the key, the faults will not reset. We've seen it on 164, 221, 203, 211, 204, 209, and 171 from at least 2005 to 2009. Attached are some quick tests showing the oxygen/throttle/alternator issue.

We can program and SCN Code a replacement module via a pass through device or via the RAP kit:

us.autologic.com/products/pass…

us.autologic.com/products/rap

drewtech.com/products/carda…

Note: This tip is for informational purposes only and is not a diagnosis for your specific vehicle.

Timothy from Brampton

Diagnostician

I'd be interested to find out more about your passthrough programming and can coding. Do You do other modules?what is the cost associated with it. Good read btw

-1

Michael from Cartersville

Owner/Technician

I've never run into it on a Mercedes but similar situation on BMW. If you're doing a valve cover/gasket and forget the ground wire at the cover and start it you are toast. You get oil level codes, BSD, and alternator codes. Order a new DME.

So Drewtech is now doing Mercedes or is it through Farsight? Are you able to do all modules on all years (OBD2)?

Mike

Owen from Westfield

Diagnostician

I have seen to O2 senor, alternator, and Throttle faults. I tried to go through BBA reman to get it repaired and after 3 attempts I was finally returned my customers money.

Andrew from Commack

Technician

One note about this although it is a rare situation, it's possible to have the 1337 Alternator Serial Interface code without an alternator, wiring, or ME module problem on certain vehicles.

If the vehicle is California Emissions it may be equipped with a Premair sensor which monitors whether a special ozone reducing radiator is installed or not. The ME monitors the Premair sensor for circuit faults and also for rationality; it detects if the temperature of the radiator is following the expected performance of the cooling system.

That Premair sensor is connected to the alternator LIN inside the engine module (M272/ME97) and sometimes it shorts the LIN bus to voltage. A normal voltage reading for the LIN bus is generally 7-8 volts (officially it's 7.5-10) and this depends on whether the system voltage is from the alternator or the vehicle battery as the LIN voltage thresholds are set at a percentage of system voltage, not a specific voltage. A stable/incorrect voltage on the LIN wire is a tip off that the circuit has a fault but what you really want to do is unplug the Premair sensor and check if the alternator code goes away.

You can check the LIN voltage before and after disconnecting the Premair sensor for confirmation it is shorting the line. LIN voltage should not change dramatically as components are added and removed.

I have seen this a few times now and other technicians have seen it as well, sometimes the sensor or wiring is damaged in a collision. The other code you are likely to see together with 1337 is 1897 "The Premair Sensor has a Sporadic Malfunction"

Hope this helps

Andrew from Commack

Technician

… S-Class

Something we see pretty commonly. I usually don't document it however.

Vehicle communications products with a core focus in OEM diagnostics and reprogramming. Corporate Partner