I'll try being a little nicer myself. I don't want to seem like I'm bashing anyone, "failed that test", I guess. All I'm saying is it doesn't pay to go throwing, for example, cap, rotors and plugs at a car, or a fuel pump relay "if it isn't new", when you don't even know if the problem is fuel or ignition related. You can either run the car with a fuel gauge attached and visible through the windshield and see if you lost fuel pressure when it died, which would indicate maybe a fuel pump relay, or the pump itself, or something along those lines (filter, wiring for the pump, loss of TD signal, etc, etc, OR when it fails jump the B+ and output socket to the pump and see if it starts right up, do SOMETHING to find out what's going on, or failing that, do a simple spark test to see if you're lacking spark when it fails, at least check out and see where the problem lies (lays? whatever I ain't no english teacher). In rereading Benzmacs post, I see he didn't really say "replace the fuel pump relay, coil, and crank sensor", just relating that these are defective parts that he has seen cause this problem, at the time I think I may have been thinking he was recommending the replacement of these parts, so that was my error. I am now wondering if the mechanic that checked out Ronalds (the original posters) MB had a scope on the car and saw the loss of secondary ignition. Maybe Benzmac assumed so, and that is why he is suggesting the replacement of so many secondary ignition components. I am really just trying to help you guys out, sorry if I offended anyone, like that Ctaylor guy. I have been told (mainly by my service writer) that I have an "abrasive" personality, so take that for what it's worth. I just think you have to really pay attention to what's going on when you have a specific complaint like this. How would YOU like to have a repair bill that reads: replaced coil, distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs, spark plug wires, oh, and the fuel pump relay. Just WHAT WAS the problem?.......Gilly

Yeah, he's probably right, alright. Sometimes works to my advantage. Get alot of the nicer cars that way. Kind of a no-nonsense attitude, keeps away all the would-be distractions. Nothing like a rude ornery cuss to keep away all the MB geeks and slack-jaws. You could give it to one of the friendly guys and he'll sit there and blither away the day showing someone the car, where my attitude is "what the hell do YOU want, get outta here, this ain't no MUSEUM". Good thing i don't actually say that, sometimes the customer is coming back to check on the car, I lighten up then. Customers who know me request that I work on their car, because they know I don't screw around, and take the job seriously....Gilly

I'm a little late jumping in here. I sympathize with Gilly, he awakens emotions hard to converse with anyone but a tech. I wanted to give my support but private email didn't work. I wished to tell him the numerous instances I have spent time trying to organize a diagnosis with one who had asked, only to find the least bit of effort too much for the individual. Only a warning.

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