I recently (2 weeks ago) aquired an '01 SLK 230 Kompressor with a lot of miles 130000k. The car has been a treat so far however, after a recent spell of rainy weather, I had to take it out tonight. When I went to the garage to start her up, she started fine but began to shake from side to side a bit...not violently like some other posts...but enough to notice, then the check engine light came on and I turned her off. Started her again and no shaking, back to normal, but the check engine light is still on. I drove her around the block and she seemed alright, maybe a bit slugginsh, but I was also hesitant to open her up, so maybe that can just be my driving.

First I was wondering whats going on and why it would start shaking once, enough to engage the light, but not shake on any following starts. The car was recently driven from Minnesota to Montana (1000k and 4000'+ elevation), could the elevation be affection the fuel to air ratio or something like that? Also in Minnesota I believe that it was being filled with 93 and we only have 91 commonly available here in Montana, could that be an issue?

Second, with little import experience myself, does this sound like a jobe for the dealership or a local import shop. Again, Im in Montana so theres not a whole lot of options.

Thanks for any help.
Evan

 

intermittent problem?

one of the cylinder was malfunctioning during that startup, which causes the control unit to cut off the fuel injector... and check engine light comes on.

normally if its a temporary problem, the CEL will comes off after restart. is it still on?

 

If CEL still on get the codes read.

Altitude (atmospheric pressure) is one of the parameters into the ECU so it is possible that you recent run at high altitude has left "adaptation" data in the ECU memory.

Will clear itself but lets see what codes are set. Many garages offer a "free" code read.
Stuart

 

Thanks for the replies...to answer your questions Sleepwalker; intermittent-this is the first and only time it has happened to me in the two weeks I've had it, and yes, the CEL is still on.

 

and always check your gas cap first. a cel normallyindicates anOxygen sensor or a problem in the secondary air injection system. check the vacuum lines, especially the small hard plastic ones going across the top front of the engine. The light will not go out until the problem is solved and then it will take a couple times running the car before it goes out by itself. you can have it diagnosed andcleared at a shop or buy a diagnostic scanner and you can diy.

 

YOU CAN HAVE THE CODES CHECKED. PROABABLY GOING TO SEE MISFIRE CODE OR CODES. IF YOU HAVENT HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE I WOULD RECCOMEND JUST CLEARING THE CODES I.E. DISCONNECT BATTERY TO GET THE LIGHT OUT OF YOUR FACE. POSSIBLE CAUSES...TRASH IN INJECTOR.

FYI....ADAPTATION DATA IS ALWAYS STORED IN THE CONTROL UNIT. A GAS CAP WOULD NOT CAUSE YOUR ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH.