My car stalled again today while I was in the middle of a turn. Fortunately I could guide the car into a parking lot and not block the road. The weird thing is after the car stalls, the car always starts right back up. This happened twice friday and happened once more again today even though I thought that i fixed the problem friday by cleaning my battery terminals(white stuff on them ).

Besides the stalling, ive also noticed other problems with my car. It hesitates when accelerating and has a rough idle. Sometimes while driving or when accelerating from a stop it feels like it has no power for a second then it goes but it goes sluggishly.

What could be causing this? My mom has suggested that I take it in for a tune up. She said that her car (infiniti I30) did the same random stall thing for a while and the dealer fixed it by changing the oxygen sensor.
I am anxious to get the vehicle repaired because I dont really think its safe for me to drive or safe for others on the road because of it stalling randomly even while on the highway.


thanks
doug

Doug,

Take a look at the "Stuttering 300E" thread -- sounds similiar.

Start with fuel system issues (fuel filters and pump) and then go electrical.

Just some thoughts...

Sounds like the fuel pump relay is bad. I've had the exact thing happen to me. Each time it turned out to be a bum relay. This relay controls a few vital fuel system functions, including the kickdown on the automatic transmission.

Dug,
First and foremost check the fuse on top of your over voltage relay. Its a relay behind your battery to the right and it has 1 or 2 fuses on top of it. Pull them and replace if need be.

where is the fuel pump relay located?
thanks
doug

Fuel pump relay is right next to the OVP relay and usually has the words 'kickdown' written on top of it.

I have an 85 190E, and somewhat similar problem, but it happens only when the engine is cold (rough idle, hesitation, etc.). On a hot engine the car runs smooth. The dealer changed spark plugs, cap/rotor, wires, fuel injectors, OVP relay, and thermostat. Still the same problem. So its definitely a fuel system problem.

Sometimes I hear a click from the bottom, driver side engine compartment, and after that the engine smoothes out. The click is quite pronounced - I can even feel it in the accelerator peddle. Could it have something to do with the air flow sensor/plunger unit? PLease help!!

if neither of the fuses in either relay is bad does that mean that the relay is working properly or can it still be malfunctioning? Also, i have driven my car since last friday and have not encountered any more stalling problems or sluggish driving etc. Nothing has changed with the car except for that i bought gas and that its no longer rainy outside as it was before. Could something getting wet have possibly caused this?
Also, on a totally unrealted note, does anyone happen to know the size of the stock altenator in this car? I am thinking of adding some more aftermarket car audio amps and dont want to over do it.
thanks as always
doug

Dug, when you say that the fuses are OK, I'm assuming your speaking of the Overvoltage Protection Relay. The Fuel Pump Relay doesn't have a fuse. I too own an '85 190e and the exact thing occured. It would stall out and hesitate, then run great for a week or so. Only after replacing the Fuel Pump Relay did the problem go away. The cheapest place to buy one is at Fastlane. I've checked around. If any type of moisture penetrates the seal of the relay it does act up.

As for the size of the alternator, go to the Fastlane site and give them your VIN and they can tell you exactly the alternator that goes with your car. (No I have no connection with this site, but have been impressed with their prices and service).


Brian

I had this problem to, got stuck in Vegas for 3 days while the dealer worked on it. They fixed it, I drove off and the car stalled 400 yards from the dealer. After getting the car back, it was determined that it was the fuel pump relay.

__________________
1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

i replaced the following items and much to my amazement my car has continued its random stalling problem.
-spark plugs
-plug wires
-distributaor cap
-distributor rotor
-fuel filter
-oil filter
-air filter
along with these i had to replace the timing chain guide rails which took 11.5 hours of labor.

Im really upset since i spent over 1200 dollars and nothing has changed. What should i fix next to stop this stalling problem? The symptoms are now random stalling while the car is driving down the street along with starting problems after the car has just been driven and after it has stalled.

thanks
doug

[Edited by dug on 04-18-2001 at 11:19 PM]

Dug, there have been a number of recommendations in this thread, including mine, that you replace the OVP Relay and/or Fuel Pump Relay. I don't see anywhere in your replys that either has been changed, including those items listed amongst the $1200.00.

As mentioned before, I experienced the same syptoms as yours, and on each occasion it turned out to be a bad Fuel Pump Relay.

Let me know how it goes.

Brian

Im finally taking it in to get both of those relays looked at tomorrow. Me and my mechanic were both hoping that since i was in need of a tune up that maybe the problem would clear up with the tune up, but it didnt. My mechanic said it would be best to go ahead and get the tune up first since i needed that even if i didnt need to replace the relays. The total for all the work was inflated by the $750 of labor that were required to fix broken timing chain guide rails(ironically both rails together only cost $4.60 in parts).
Hopefully tomorrow afternoon i wont have to worry about all of this anymore....
Thaks for all of the advice...
later
doug

Fuel Pump Relay. My 1984 190E had the exact same symptoms. The stock relays were not hermetically sealed, so moisture would migrate into the circuits and corrode leads. Replace with an updated version and you should be fine.

Brian16V

Last Monday I finally had both the fuel pump relay and the overvoltage protection relay replaced in my car. I got the car back and it ran very well except for a rough idle. Having just spent a lot of my parent's money (I'm a pathetically poor HS student), I decided that it would be best if I could wait on fixing that for a while if everything else worked fine. I had no problems until today when my car stalled while I was slowing at a red light. Not only did it stall, it refused to start back up. I had to call my insurance company and arrange for a tow truck to come and tow my car. So, about 2 and a half hours after the original incident, I now find myself looking for what could have caused this. What else is there to replace that I have not replaced all ready.
Heres a list of the stuff that i have replaced hoping to cure my car's ailments:
-spark plugs
-plug wires
-distributor cap
-distributor rotor
-fuel filter
-oil filter
-air filter
-over voltage protection relay
-fuel pump relay
-What Next!?

thanks for your help