E320 Starting Problem

[fclohden]

Wife's 98 E320 will not start at times after being run (hot). It's random and
only happen occassionally (which is not good for my health). No "check engine light", no other indications. Starter turns fine, appears to be lack of iginition. Car runs fine otherwise, no missing, no hesitation. Any suggestions.

[Southern]

Crankshaft position sensor seems to be the common cause of the problems you are having.

[fclohden]

Thanks, will have that checked.. Fuel filter was suggested, but that seems
far fetched as car runs fine otherwise..

[benzthere]

Another cause could be the knock sensor (though apparently less common than the crankshaft position sensor).

W210/E320 hesitation & starting problems

[rtb]

I think it may be the crankshaft position sensor. It was just replaced on my 99 E320 last week - no problems since - knock on wood!

[memario213]

before i bought my car the previous owner stated that it had that proble were if he drove it around and would go to the supermarket the car would not start when it heated up and we would have to wait until it cooled down and then it startd.

he said it was the distribuator's he changed them out and he didn't have that problem anymore...

[tower]

Just to add a bit of confusion, I just went through the exact same symptons on an intrepid.....For two weeks my friends intrepid would start cold but not restart when hot. Much simplier system to work on, but it turned out to be the ignition switch. We have colder winters here and I'm wondering if this contributed.

[fclohden]

FYI, it was the "crankshaft position sensor". The fault appeared on the OBDII
and the sensor has been replaced. Appears to have solved the problem.
There is no distributor on newer cars. They use the crankshaft position to fire individual coils for each cyclinder.
Thanks for the help...