wbrian63,

I don't doubt, like you say, there is some problem that can be figured out. The problem with your analysis is that it is not a short run and a no-re-start later. My car will start up warm or not-so-warm, even after a quick on-off in the driveway.

I had not run my car for a couple days this past time, and it sounds like a few others have had the same issue. The car is cold when it happens. It might be that a too quick run does produce some "stuck" problem as myarmar and 400E suggest.

My tech says he has noticed these engines seem to do this a lot for no apparent reason (no codes, problem not persistent enough to tear a bunch of things apart). I guess that none of his customers (including me!) have asked him to hunt down the problem as infrequent as it happens. I actually tried to recall, and I think this has happened three times in the six years we have owned this car. I posted hoping someone had traced the issue to something I could fix and brag to my tech about!

We really ought to follow the conditions a bit, 119 owners marking the circumstances that produce the condition, and compare notes.

__________________
Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K