260E left me in the intersection - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Darrell Woods · #1 06-30-2006, 06:58 PM

My 89 260E (recently gave to my son) has developed a nasty stalling problem that had me pushing it out of a busy intersection today. I've had the car a long time (over 10 years) and this is a new problem. Car starts o.k., runs fine, but occasionally just quits. You can be going fast, going slow, or sitting still. When it dies, it does not hesitate, sputter or give any indication it's about to die. It just feels like you turned the ignition to off. Attempts to restart are futile for about 1-2 minutes. It will just crank and feel like there is no spark whatsoever. Once it does restart, it starts like it always did after cranking for 3 or 4 seconds. If it were fuel related, wouldn't the stall be more gradual (as in some symptons of starving for fuel)? To me it seems like a failure to get a spark to the fuel. Suggestions?

Benzer · #2 06-30-2006, 07:53 PM

My first guess would be a CPS, crank position sensor. At 10yo or 200k, (which ever comes first) they usually start doing that wacky stuff. It starts sending the computer the wrong information if anything at all. After it cools down, its fine. Most of them get worse with the cool down taking longer and longer.

Usually fuel will sputter but not if the fuel pump gets shut off. There wont be enough pressure to work the system. You need to have someone turn on the key while you are near the fuel pump to see if it spins. They all spin as soon as the key gets turned on to pressurize the system, regardless if it needs it or not. The fun part is that you need to do it when the car is dead..

Do a search and type 'shuts down' or 'won't start when hot'. There are many posts here on that topic.

Jackd · #3 06-30-2006, 08:32 PM

I had the very same problem with my 1989, 260E.
I knew it was ignition related as, like you said, the engine just died.
I replaced the ignition coil, the coil wire, distributor cap and rotor, all at once, and never had the problem again. That was 3 years ago.
Which part was defective, I'll never know.
Good luck

freespool · #4 06-30-2006, 09:18 PM

ditto the crank sensor or L5 as mb refers to it. also a possible culprit is the ovp. they get corroded over time and cause different symptoms

anthonyb · #5 06-30-2006, 10:54 PM

Also electrical, but to power the fuel supply: fuel pump relay. Easy way to check is after it stalls, when you turn the key from off to on, can you hear the fuel pump energize? If not, then it's not getting power, and the engine is not g etting gas. If this is the case, try to jump the 6-7 pins (i think) in the relay socket and see if that gets the pump going. If so, you may be in for a new relay.

My car did this a couple of times over the course of a year, and a new FPR solved that. Or at least, the problem hasn't come back since.

gmercoleza · #6 07-01-2006, 04:19 AM

Fixed on different car, but same problem:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=155624

EricSilver · #7 07-01-2006, 02:22 PM

If it happens only when it is hot outside, and never at night, then I would blame the crank sensor.

I had the exact same problem a few years ago.

Darrell Woods · #8 10-24-2006, 09:17 PM

Thanks to all who responded. When it stalled again, did listen for the fuel pump to energize...silence. A little later, it started. Put in a new fuel pump relay, and no more problems. Appreciate the help!