Scott,

I have experienced a Position Sensor Active Fault code for some time now on my 92 500E. The car will develop a miss that transends all rpm ranges, and leaves the engine sounding like an old 1970's 440 magnum with the valves floating...i.e. a puffing type sound. Horsepower is severly affected of course. The problem on my car is often temporarily cured by simply turning the ignition off for a few minutes and then restart. (much like my #@! laptop).

While the fault is an active fault, the manifestation is very intermittent. I also plan to change the crankshaft position sensor this week and will update you on what my results are.

Comments Welcome

Good Luck

Dwight

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dwight

Yes, prior to my stall-outs, my engine sounds and feels like
"the little engine that couldn't."

It's analagous to a puff-puff-puff-/surge-surge-surge- choreography.

*sigh*

I will pop open a Dom Perignon MAGNUM on the day I close this thread...

OK... here is an update:

1) My car has been stalling, occasionally, when driving in a STRAIGHT LINE, as of 09NOV02.

2) I now suspect that my stalling problem has to do with my (A/C) 4-groove compressor/compressor-clutch assembly.

As such, I have just dropped off my car at my tech's shop and requested that the (A/C) 4-groove compressor/compressor-clutch assembly AND the receiver-dryer unit all be replaced, ASAP.

NLT 0900 hours WED 20NOV02, I will post the results of testing this hypothesis; all signs point to this, though, as it is one of the ONLY things I have not investigated, thus far.

If this fixes my problem, I will be EXTREMELY THANKFUL, this Thanksgiving!!!

Stay tuned...

Yes, I'm about to put on a record you've all heard before... a few too many times.

NO-GO on my latest attempt to fix my stalling problem.

I have a brand new, Mercedes-Benz (OEM) compressor/compressor clutch - and I'm still stalling.

My tech tightened ALL ground-wires, etc., and still no change.

So much for giving thanks this Thanksgiving...

The saga continues/welcome to my private Hell...

Is it throwing ANY codes??

I really hope we/you get to the bottom of this - these cars are too much fun to be pissed at...

Best of luck,

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

At this point, I'm prepared to offer a REWARD to whomever fixes this problem!!!

; )

I have all the time in the world to fix this... just not a cocaine-cartel's budget...

Neil (ke6dcj) has just e-mailed me, asking me to contact Scott Sinibaldi, a former MB Tech who now runs his own shop.

Apparently, another 500E owner (Pete Evans - who posts infrequently to the mercedesshop forum) is also experiencing
the same symptoms of a slight miss during turns on his 500E.

I will contact Mr. Sinibaldi, today and keep everyone updated.

Kind regards,

...sending powerful karma in support!
best regards
-fad

Scott & faithful compadres,

sorry I have been away for a while. we must keep the faith, a cure is likely just around the corner.

However, in the meantime, just an update on mine.

The puffa puffa sydrome on my car has disappeared 3-4 months ago (after only 2 occurences) and as yet never reappeared. Unfortunately, I did nothing to explain the cure. It has however developed the symptoms "84 500 SEL" described in that occasionally on deceleration just before I come to a stop the tach will drop well below the normal 500rpm range and act like it is going to cut off. It also occasionally stumbles when I first pull away from a stop. While we did find a leaking seal on one distributor (allowing oil build up in the distributor) & replacing the seal solved the pull away stumble problem for a few days, that problem soon returned. The deceleration stumble is only occasional but rears itself at least once during every time I drive the car (i.e. daily).

My check engine light also continues to come on about once a month, but has no adverse affects to performance...car runs fine.

I have a list of dates and codes that are set but I forgot to bring my 500E dairy into the office today. I will post them later in hopes that someone sees a trend.

Good luck to all as we collectively await a cure.

Dwight

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dwight

I am awaiting a reply from Mr. Sinibaldi, this week.

Wow Scott,

I just started reading this thread and followed every bit of it. I seriously hope you get this fixed!

I wish I could contribute in a way. However my very limited knowledge about cars would not let me do so.

All I could say is Good Luck!

Scott...maybe your car is telling you it wants that 6.0 litre conversion ! (?)

__________________
Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

...you see, if you bring it to RENNTech without telling them of the stalling problem, they'd bore your engine out to 6.0L then trouble shoot the hell out of the stalling problem come testing time.

Two birds with one stone.

Then, from Florida, you drive up to NY--where I'll be from late January to around September--and gimme a ride. Then we can have a drink or two or ten...

Sounds like a plan, eh?

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Rainmaker
93 500E, 43k mi, Pics of upgrade parts
Evo II Wheels on Dunlop FM901 235/45x17s
94 Facelift
RennTech CF Airbox
RennTech ASR Defeat
RennTech Chip
1st Gear Start
97 Range Rover 4.6 HSE Vitesse, Yellow, "Tonka" (sold)

TWO DRINKS PER LITER , YEA !!!!!!!!!!

Scott,

one more bizzare idea you might want to check.

My local MB buddies had a similar situation that turned out to be the checkvalve on the brake booster.

As I understand it, the brake system operates off vacuum from the engine. Under hard braking it is possible for the brake booster to consume its supply of vacuum. There is a check valve (on the brake booster ?) If the check valve goes bad, under hard braking it will consume its supply of vacuum and then try stealing from the engine. In some instances, its enough to starve the engine on straight line braking, but more often than not the additional load from the power steering pump in a hard turn is needed to finally kill the already starving motor.

Try braking on a straight line and see if the motor tries to lug...i.e. rpms drop significantly and motor struggles. It could be a sign that the check valve is bad and only the load of the power steering pump is needed to push the motor over the edge to quit.

Its just a thought!

Dwight

92 500E
Tagged "TCHUSS"
my son has helped me create a site for viewing
its still in its infancy
for a look www.freewebs.com/crash

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dwight