Wow, this was weird....

Tonight, as I was driving on the freeway going about 60mph I started to slow down for the upcoming pay toll. When I slowed down to about 40mph I tried to accelerate back up again but nothing happened. As i was stepping on the gas pedal the RPM's would not go up and the car kept slowing down--no power. At the same time that I was stepping on the gas pedal I noticed that the economy guage was moving towards the red, working as usual, but still the car just died and kept creeping to a halt. Man, I was thinking what the f**k now. Right before the car came to a complete stop, all of the lights on the dash lit up. While of all this was happening I managed to pull over to the shoulder. While at a complete stop I put it in "P" and I tried to start her up again and she started right back up as if there was no problem at all. I put her back in drive and drove off with all symptoms normal. What would cause my 300E to lose this power on the freeway, and then just start right back up again when i'm at a complete stop. I was thinking that I was lucky to have a shoulder on the highway to pull over, or else someone coulda plowed right into me. Please advise...

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Agron
1989 300E ("E 300"-Badged)
Monotoned Astral Silver w/ rear lid deck panel
97 Style Replica E420 Rims 205/55/16
Euro Headlights
Clear Corners
94/95 Taillights
Black Grille Insert
Chrome Exhaust Tips
20% Tint
Pioneer Sound system w/ Sub-enclosure and CD-changer

I have exactly the same problem with my 1989 300se. It used to happen 2-3 times a day, but it seems to have calmed down, and now it happens maybe once a week.
I noticed it coincided with wet weather for me, i'm not sure if something got wet that shouldn't have, and is now drying out or something.
I've had the o2 sensor adjusted, oil and filters changed, and it hasn't really made much difference.
Sorry I couldn't help, I just thought you'd like to know that someone is sharing your pain!!!

Cheers

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Oliver

I havent seent that before, its very strange. Perhaps it is the Ground on the car.

maybe a loose ground could cause weird electrical problems like that.

I'm sure someone will have the right answer.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Your stalling condition has one significant symptom that most 300E stalls don't have. That is the fact that the engine was gone at 40mph.

Based on that I would guess a fuel pump relay to be the problem. This symptom (stall at speed) eliminates the OVP relay as the cause or any other part of idle control for that matter.

Unfortunately the intermittantcy of your problem could be also caused by a couple ignition problems also AND none of it can be tested. I can't tell you how many hours I have spent driving 300Es with the front seat full of test equipment monitoring fuel pump signal, crank sensor signal, coil control signal, speed signal, fuel pump pressure etc, etc. When its working it ain't broke!



[Edited by stevebfl on 12-12-2000 at 08:40 AM]

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

Sounds like the fuel pump shut off to me.

agron,

i know that sinking feeling. When i experienced this with my 190e2.6, the benz technician traced it to a faulty connection with the O2 sensor.

hope this helps. In the meantime take care because this can leave you stranded in an intersection like it almost happened to me ...

-bobbyv

This isn't a solution, but a little bit of a tip. Over the past couple years, my 300E has stalled a few times, though for me it's always when the car's coming down to idle. Anyways, one thing to keep in mind is that you can also start the engine in neutral, and then shift back to drive. This can be useful if it's unsafe (or otherwise inconvenient) to stop the car, put it in park, and start the engine.

There are two warnings that I can think of with regards to this (and I'm sure there are others out there):

-don't miss neutral and shift into reverse!
-don't take your concentration off the road!

anthony

Also, be sure not to do this while turning...you could accidentally engage the steering column lock...then you'd really be screwed!

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D