E320 Check engine light

[donwo]

I have a '98 E320 with 53,000 miles. On the way to work this morning the car shut off at 60MPH. I coasted to a stop on the side of the highway. Once stopped I tried to restart the engine with no success. After several attempts to start, it finally started with the check engine electronics and check engine light warning displayed. I drove directly to MB dealership to have them check it out. It will be several hours to find out what the problem is as I did not have an appointment. The car ran well during the 20 mile trip to the dealer. Any suggestions on what may have caused this?
Yesterday after a 45 mile trip the car took several attempts to start but finally did start but no warnings were or lights displayed.
Any suggestions?

[Southern]

My guess is a bad air mass sensor.
Keep us posted what the dealer found.

[Norm in FL]

donwo, The relay K40, if the 98 E320 has one. My 96 E320 does. Anyway, there are 5-6 relays in one box. One of them is the fuel pump relay. The solder joints on the board are cold joints that become loose after a while. That may be it , or 50 to 60 other things. Norm in FL

[donwo]

Here is the latest on the check engine light. Dealer said car was ready. I picked up the car and paid 80 bucks for diagnostic checks. Engine controls were reprogramed. Drove the car 3 miles from the dealer it shut down and would not start. Towed car back to dealer and it is still there with the same problem. The car cranks but will not start. Will talk to them on Tuesday.
This is a STARMARK car with 54k miles. Dealer says diagnostics not covered under Starmark warranty only replaced parts. Is that true? No help from MBUSA.

Thanks for the replies.


donwo

[manny]

Did the dealer tell you what the codes were?

[donwo]

Well here is the latest and hopefully last update. Dealer called to let me know they were replacing the crankshaft position sensor. All work was covered under Starmark warranty and they are refunding my 80 bucks diagnostic charge. Thanks to all for suggestions. All's well so far.......

[manny]

Sounds logical to me.
Happy motoring.

[stevebfl]

Crankshaft sensor would be my call. Almost never a code.

[JimF]

a bad Ck_pos_sensor! I've never seen one goe bad!

When that DTC comes up, it usally turns out to be a bad (or partially bad) DI module.

I realize that your car (donwo) '98 E320 doesn't have one but in older model MBs (91 - 94), that code is always present but never have seen a bad one.

donwo, ask them to give you the old part if it's not too late. If you get it, measure the resistance and let us know. Just curious to see what a 'bad' Ck sensor measures [whether is actually 'opens' up].

[donwo]

JimF,

Too late. Picked the car up yesterday. Just happy to have car running again and refund for the diagnostics check. What you say seems very interesting.
Thanks for the reply.