Hi,
I'm having a strange problem with my 1998 E320. Here's the story... I went to start my car after stopping at a store and the starter would continuously crank until I turned the key back off. About half an hour later it started fine. I drove for roughly 20 minutes and the car stopped running while idling at a red light without any shaking or warning of any sort. Again, the car would not start again for 30 or so minutes. Then, I drove it again for about 10 minutes and it died again in the same fashion, while stopped at a red light. If I try to start the car too soon, it will continuously crank but not run. I took the car to a Mercedes mechanic and we drove it around for 30 minutes but it seemed fine. He was able to pull a check engine code. The ECU shows the Fuel Trim Malfuntion Bank 1 and Bank 2 error codes. The mechanic suggested it may be the mass airflow sensor but he wasn't 100% sure. I left the car with him so that he could drive some more. I'm guessing it wouldn't be the fuel pump or injectors since the car would then probably shake and stutter before dying? Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be? Thanks.

EDIT: Would anything with the DAS cause it to stall and die, or would it only relate to the starting problem?

Hi there,

I had exactly the same problem a few months back.
I have changed two parts just be on the safe side.
1. fuel pump as it was making funny noise and may be overheating
2. Knock sensor - this will cut the electrics to the fuel system

Replaced both parts and the car is running fine.

If you think your fuel pump is ok, then try the knock sensor first. I can't remember how much it was but it wasn't too excessively even at dealer's price.

Hope this help.

The most common problem on the 1998 & later V-6 & V-8 (M112/113) engines that will leave you stranded is the crank flywheel sensor. WE replace 5-10 a week at dealer. MB number 003-153-96-28 & list is $100. Optional part
number is 003-153-95-28 also $100

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Sounds like the infamous 99-01 VW "relay #109" (main relay" which would melt and cause the exact same issue.......


Gotta love cheap suppliers

I had a similar problem on a Toyota in the 80's.
It turned out to be a fuel filter that was clogging up.
Might want to replace it as well, pretty cheap to do.

My mechanic ended up replacing the MAS. I drove the car around for about an hour today, stopping for 30-60 seconds multiple times and starting the car multiple times. Everything seems to be okay so far; there are no more error codes and no stalls, nor any difficulty starting. I'll update after a week of driving in case any one is interested. Thanks for the advice guys! I hope the MAS was the problem. =\

The problem is back today. I went to start the car after stopping off somewhere and it would crank but not run again. I waited for 15 minutes or so and it ran fine again. My mechanic found another few codes stored in some sub-menus or something (sorry, I'm obviouly no mechanic). Here are the codes: B1040, B1041, B1042. B1040 is "CAN communication transmission to engine ECU faulty."

It stalled again right when I pulled into my garage, and then it had problems starting it again. I'm starting to believe that the smartkey might be the culprit since the mechanic did pull up an error code relating to the DAS something ME-SFI something (sorry, forgot the code number). It only stalls when the car is stopped, so is the car smart enough to know to shut off when it's not rolling? Thanks in advance.

rogeroger,
Please review the advice of M.B.DOC, crank angle sensor can be verified by the SDS when the car will not start. I would have replaced the CAS first at our shop.

__________________
Paul

Roger,

I had the same problem with my '98 E320. The dealer replaced the crank position sensor and the problem was corrected.

__________________
Donwo
1999 SL 500 Sport (30K miles)
1998 E320 (SOLD)
1989 560SL (SOLD)
1987 300E (TOTALED)
1986 300E (SOLD)
1984 300SD (SOLD)

I don't know how you guys do it. The frustration that must constantly occur with these electronic POS would drive me to distraction. Is it this gizmo? Is it that sensor? Who knows? The mechanic sure does not know. But, I'll bet that he won't return the money for replacing the MAS that did not need to be changed.

These diesels can only strand me if they get bad fuel. That's about it.

Several possiblities here. My mechanic friend had a C240 giving the same CAN to transmission communication error, symptom was no throttle responce on large throttle opening. Eventually cured that one by replacing the bad mass air flow sensor, although it never showed up on the code scans.

Bad crank positions sensor means no spark and no fuel injected, and the failure will likely be heat related (works cold, fails hot). I'd replace it just for "comfort" as it's not expensive. It can also work fairly well at running speed where the engine can "coast" a bit before it works again and cause the engine to quit and refuse to restart because the flywheel speed is to slow to trigger the sensor correctly.

You may also have some fuel pump problems or clogged filter. A pump drawing too much current will fry the MAS relay repeatedly, so I'd get the current draw on the pumps checked rather than toss relays in there, it gets costly.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

The crank sensor IS a known pattern failure. It will not show a fault code and it is know to be an intermittant.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I think I'm just gonna have to take it to a dealer, or someone with more experience. Can anyone recommend a dealer or mechanic in the San Francisco area (particularly the 650 area code)? Thanks again.

how much would parts and labor run for replacing the CAS? thanks

Hi stevebfl,

Is there a way to check the crank sensor?

__________________
Keep us posted especially if your problem is solved
Present cars:
My car: E-class 420CDI, 2008, W211, V8, 180 000km

Wife's one: C-class 220CDI Sport Coupé, Euro, 2002, W203. 345 000km

Son's one: GLK class, 220CDI, 2009, W204

Sold: E-class 260E, 1988, W124, Wonderfull car sold after 489 000 kilometres of reliable services (engine M103, clutch, brake system and 5 speed manual gear box all original).

Sold: E-class, 320CDI, W210, 2000, 225 000km