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ME-SFI diagnosis fault memory function - GF07.61-P-2004BK

ENGINE 113.967 in MODEL 219 

ENGINE 113.964 in MODEL 164.1 

ENGINE 113.971 in MODEL 251 

Shows model 219 

Fig 1: ME-SFI Control Unit Communication Diagram
G05257576Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

The ME-SFI control unit checks its inputs and outputs for plausibility and recognizes possible faults. The identification of faults and their storing is differentiated as follows:

Reading out fault memory 

The faults stored can only be read out at the data link connector with ignition "ON" or with "engine running" using the STAR DIAGNOSIS.

IMPORTANT

USA ONLY In line with legal requirements, faults can also be read at the data link connector conforming to the SAE standard with a generic scan tool.

Fault recognition 

Fault storage 

Faults detected for the first time are written to the fault memory first of all as "suspected fault" together with the fault freeze frame data. If the fault is not confirmed in the subsequent driving cycle, it is erased. If the fault is confirmed, it is stored together with its fault freeze frame data.

Faults which no longer occur are erased automatically from the fault memory after max. 40 warming-up phases  .

A warming-up phase  is completed:

Actuation of the fault indicating lamp of the engine diagnosis 

or 

CHECK ENGINE (MIL) USA ONLY

The indicator lamp continues to light up after the engine start if the fault was already stored in the last driving cycle  .

The malfunction indicator lamp comes on immediately when the engine is running if TWC damaging misfiring is detected.

The CHECK ENGINE MIL USA ONLY or engine diagnosis goes out if no further fault is detected during 3 driving cycles.

A driving cycle  always refers to a single check and consists of:

Function chains  are test sequences, e.g. for air injection, purge system and leaktightness of evaporative emission control system, activated by the ME-SFI control unit.

Consequential faults 

If a faulty signal is detected and the corresponding fault code is stored, all the tests in which the signal is required as a comparative parameter, are ended. This ensures that no consequential faults are stored.

Emergency running 

If a fault is detected, substitute values are formed. The indicator lamp in the instrument cluster only lights up, if the fault was already stored.

ME-SFI control unit after-running 

After ignition is switched off, the computer starts to power down. During this period, the fault memory is overwritten. The duration is dependent on the coolant temperature: approx. 4 seconds at 80°C, approx. 60 seconds at 20°C and approx. 150 seconds at - 30°C.

Fault freeze frame data/operating conditions 

The following data are stored if a fault is recognized:

IMPORTANT If the same fault reappears, then the freeze frame data is saved again when the fault reappears. If the fault continues to occur, this second freeze frame data record is continuously overwritten and the fault frequency is exponented.

USA ONLYReadiness/function code 

This code makes it possible to recognize that tests relating to fault recognition are in progress and the system is thus active. The code is set if the following tests are completed (result of test of no significance):

IMPORTANT With discontinuity of the voltage supply for the engine control unit, the readiness code (readiness/function code) is reset.

Fig 2: ME-SFI Diagnosis Fault Memory Flow Chart
G05257577USA ONLYUSA ONLYCourtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.
  ME-SFI [ME] control unit, component description   GF07.61-P-6000BK 
  Engine diagnosis indicator lamp component description except USA ONLY GF54.30-P-5010BK
  "CHECK ENGINE" MIL component description USA ONLY GF54.30-P-5011BK