300E starts OK, but quits almost immediately.
 

My 1989 300E starts right up, but quits almost immediately.
It seems as if the fuel supply is cut off, or the ignition is cut off.
It stops that abruptly.
Try it again and again and the same thing happens.
Starts right up , then quits.
Fuel pump is running, recent O2 sensor replaced, recent fuel filter replaced.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

C.

Try jumping your fuel pump relay.

Agreed. Use the search for specifics.

I would lean towards a fuel issue as well. There's no reason the ignition should work for just a second or two and then stop working almost immediately.

I had a similar issue, my 86 300E suddenly started to do the same thing all of a sudden. I checked the fuel relay, pump, etc., ended up to be the distributor rotor! Worth taking a look.

You can do your self a lot of good by going from the basics on out, this is the best way to diagnose your situation.do the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, then look into the electrical system, but if you are sure of all that then go on to the idle air system, a leak in the vacuum system will also give you the same results.If you can not find a way to do a smoke test than find some one who can do it!

If wires, distributor cap, coil and spark plugs are fine and if it is not a fuel problem, then...

Could be the crank position sensor, for certain positions of crank shaft, the sensor may not output anything, i.e it is open circuit.

Does this car have an alarm system like the ML320. If it does, try another key to start the car. On my brother's ML320, the car would start and quit immediately and guess what was the problem. It was the ignition key, as soon as the car came on, the key was checked and if it was worn out in some wierd way, the car thinks that someone is trying to steal it and will shut down. We used a different key and the car started and ran like a champ.

Look at the distribitor,rotor,and rotor adaptor.
 

I recently had my 1992 2.6 190e give me similar problem. The rotor adaptor which sets behind the rotor broke. The car was doing similar things as you suggest. The car then would not start at all.

Problem fixed!
 

Sorry for the delay in responding...

The problem is fixed. Solution: New Fuel Pump Relay!

Starts and keeps running.
Thanks to all.

C.