Service slants

Motor,  May 2003  by Savasta, Bob

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Before swapping the black boxes, however, do a little detective work by clearing the code(s) and letting the engine sit overnight. Then start the engine first thing the next morning. If the MIL illuminates but the freeze frame data doesn't match the criteria mentioned above, continue with normal diagnostics. If the MIL turns back on and the freeze frame data is consistent with that of a cold engine at idle, replace the PCM with the updated unit. Here are the application specifics:

Vehicle PCM Part No.

1997 626/MX-6

(manual trans) . .KLY2-18-881R-00

1997 626/MX-6

(auto trans) . . . . .KLY3-18-881R-00

1997 Millenia (KL

engine, Federal) . . . .KLY5-18-881R-00

1997 Millenia (KL

engine, Calif.) . . . .KLY6-18-881R-00

1997-98 Millenia

(KJ engine) . . . . . .KJY7-18-881R-00

1998 Millenia

(KL engine) . . . . . .KLY6-18-881R-00

Mercedes-Benz

Headlamp illumination concerns.

Mercedes reports that its dealers are receiving plenty of queries from vehicle owners regarding the color difference between a recently installed Xenon replacement headlamp bulb and the existing bulb on the other side of the vehicle. The German carmaker says this difference in color is perfectly normal, and shouldn't be cause for concern. Here's why:

A new Xenon bulb gives off a yellow/white light. An old Xenon bulb gives off a bright white light, which is perceived as blue by the human eye. The German carmaker explains, however, that the light of a Xenon bulb changes drastically during its first 100 hours of operation (called color location drift). After this period of initial "break-in," the new bulb's color basically takes on the characteristics of the old, so that the difference in illumination between the two is indistinguishable to the human eye.

Although this info comes from Mercedes, it obviously applies to any carmaker that uses Xenon bulbs. So keep it in mind for future reference. M

Copyright Hearst Business Publishing May 2003
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved