car dies after 3 miles
 

I have a 1986 300E. After 3 miles the car shuts down. Then it will crank, but won't start. It will not start until it cools down. Any ideas?

Fuel or spark. Fuel maybe less likely since it will actually start and run for a period. I'd tune it up--new plugs and wires, cap, rotor, and coil. Especially if you don't know when it was last done.

Bad coils will not work when they heat up, and then after the car cools--they will work for a short period again...

Also, a bad crankshaft position sensor may cause something like you are experiencing...

Good Luck,

-GH

I had this issue with my Suburban ( yeah, yeah,I know it is a Chevy) The problem was the crank position sensor. When the engine got hot, the resistance in the CPS went up to where it would not fire the coil.

Fuel Pump Relays are nortorious for failing in these models. When you go to restart, can you hear the fuel pumps energize for about 2 seconds after turning the key to the run position?