Glenmore,

I have a 2000 C280, too. 3 days ago, it stalled on traffic lights, I restarted it, drove another half mile, and it didn't get gas, although I throttled, parked it to the curbside, stopped the engine, and it won't start anymore. Cranks but doesn't start. A friend checked some and says that gas is pumped alright. We'd installed new spark plugs 5k miles ago. Could this be also related to CPS?

Thanks
Ahmet

My stall would occur as I was driving. Just driving along and the car would just shut off. Searching the archives suggested 1) camshaft position sensor, 2) fuel pump relay and 3) crankshaft position sensor. I tried 1 & 2 with no success and then #3 did the trick. In reading the archives more carefully I should have tried crankshaft position sensor first. If you are certain you are getting gas then it probably is not fuel pump relay, but then it could be failing and as suggested in archives, not a bad thing to have as a spare in the car anyways. I would try a new crankshaft position sensor.

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280

Thanks a lot for the answer. I ordered a CPS and will post the results here after installing it.

I'm afraid replacing the CPS didn't solve it. We think that there isn't a problem with fuel reaching the engine. I wonder if camshaft sensor would cause this no start problem. Checked resistance of camshaft sensor pins and 1st pin to 2nd is open circuit, 1st to 3rd is open, 2nd to 3rd is 860ohms.

Any ideas?

PS. While the key is in position 2, MAF seems to be working constantly, like sucking air, is this behavior normal?

I would start a new thread with the latest info and hope for some further input from the members. I would try and read any codes that might be stored. See if you can borrow a code reader or get to an Autozone where they can do it for you. A slim chance your new part was defective. If you got it locally, you might be able to swap for another one.

Good luck,

glenmore
1991 300CE
2000 C280

I took it to a mechanic yesterday. Today he told me he couldn't find the problem yet. We'll see.

Thanks a lot for the help.

PS. I decided to reset the system by unplugging the battery yesterday morning. Didn't check the manual and removed the positive end first, and the alarm was triggered (without the horn). When I plugged the battery back (but without the key in ignition), the horn joined the weak alarm sound, couldn't get the keys to work, unplugged the battery again, waited for the car to be towed for an hour while listening to that annoying alarm bell. Then plugged the battery back and this time the key worked and silenced the alarm. Just remember to check your manual for unplugging the battery :rolleyes:

problem has been fixed
 

Adam at Mercedes Garage, Bellevue, WA fixed the problem. It was the cables from fuel pump (relay?) to the control unit. He said the cables got loose and bad, and he fixed them. No part replacements. :D

Thanks for all the help.