ETS Error Message
 

Hello:

On two occasions recently, I experienced a temorary loss of power while driving. While engaged, the car drastically dropped speed and began to crawl. This lasted less than a minute and everything returned to normal. Since those two incidents, a couple of days a ago, the Electronic Traction System (ETS) error message came on, and the car began to crawl, then the low battery sign came on and the car came to a halt. I tried restarting, I got an initial crank but the engine would not engage. The check engine light came on. My mechanic ran diagnostics but could not find anything. Later that day the car cranked up and I used it for a day. On starting the car this morning, it would not engage, the ETS, low battery, defective lamp, and check engine messages/lights came on. The car is a 1997 E300 Diesel. Any ideas on what I should do?

Thanks.:(

How old is the battery?

Scan the codes.

Sorry, no other thoughts at the moment a week of mind numbing budget meetings etc. (Though I did throw out the idea of buying a Sprinter Van for field usage and it still in the running, so that would be cool to have at my disposal.)

Scan again for codes.

I believe I read that condition can be caused by a low electrical charge.

I would suggest testing that both battery adn altternator are functioning properly.

ETS Error Message
 

My mechanic ran the diagnostics - no codes could be obtained. The battery and alternator function is good. Initally after the next incident, 1-2 cyclinders were firing. Now on cranking, no cylinders fire. There is a fuel leak on the Injection Pump (IP) and the o-rings/seals of the IP are shot. The IP has been getting soaked as a result of the leak. How do you check for the fuction of the fuel shut off valve of the IP (ie is it working or not). Could this be the problem. Any ideas on where to start trouble shooting?

Thanks for your assistance.

Before anything else get ALL the fuel leaks fixed (IP seals) mentioned in your follow up post. Car wont start because air is in the fuel lines. Should also examine ALL plastic fuel lines for leaks too.

After you get it started you can move on to the ETS problem and/or determining if shut off solenoid functions properly.

Thank you all for your help. I replaced all the delivery valve seals. The fuel leak has stopped. The car starts and runs well.

When I switch off the car, almost instantly I see the fuel in the line from the fuel heater to the pre-filter bieng displaced by air. Also, during idle, I find air bubbles in the line from the fuel shut off valve to the lift pump. This get worse during high RPM.

1. Is the above situation normal?
2. Where and how do I look for the air leak? All the O-rings have been replaced (new).
3. I cannot locate the restricter which is supposed to be located in the return line near the fuel filter housing.

Note - the car has not been driven on less than 1/2 tank of diesel since these issues have been identified.

Please help:(

Sounds like it's pulling air in from somewhere, or air is still trapped in the system. Have you bled the system at the filters?

1. No.

2. Did you replace the big O-ring at the prefilter? For whatever reasons, MB doesn't seem to sell the filter and O-ring together. My MB place has filter, prefilter but no O-ring in stock. Could someone have re-used the O-ring?

3. Why are you looking for a restrictor? What is it supposed to do? Not sure what you are talking about.

Doesn't matter. IIRC, these are gravity fed so you can run it till empty and then it will quit.

The fuel line from the pre-filter to the fuel thermo DOES drain back on shutdown. This is normal.

Mine has a couple of very, very, very minute bubbles while running. So smalll and infrequent you are not sure if you saw them or not.

Is the car starting easy and continuing to run well? If so, I'd leave it alone for a while and see what develops.

If not:

Was the pre-filter oring replaced too? It has a separate part number.

Are all the fuel line white horseshoe clips loose and floopy?

If there is a leak in the line to the shutoff valve you would think air would be entering from above stream. I'd check the quality of your seal at the pre-filter again and maybe use a little silicone grease there. I've had trouble getting it sealed up before.

It does drain back a little and you are right, that is normal. However, I haven't seen bubbles in my lines during idle and certainly not of you are running on high rpm. YMMV.

I agree with you about higher RPM and concerning the pre-filter and/or shutoff o-rings as possible culprits.

I think I'd give it a little time before digging further UNLESS it isn't starting or running well. If it hards starts again that will be confirmation a leak remains.

Regarding lil bubbles, i'm anal enough about air I actually spend time with a bright flashlight hunting for them periodically. They do exist and the car does run fine. Is all a matter of degree as to when they present a problem.