1991 300e tach drops to 0, shuts off

[rrcthree]

Hi All,

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer. I recently purchased a 1991 300e for fun. It's the gas 2.6L I6 engine. It has 101,000 miles on it, and as far as I could tell is in excellent condition.

Occasionally, the engine will just shut off while driving. This always occurs while pulling up to a stop, and it seems as soon as I take my foot off the gas the tach immediately drops to 0, and the panel lights up. It typically will immediately restart.

I've seen this issue in other threads, but want to add the following, I have no idea if they are related, but I suspect so (?).

The car is hard starting, typically I have to crank the engine once, stop, pump the Gas a few times, and then recrank. It always starts after this procedure.

With the key in 'on' position, but the engine off I cannot hear the fuel pump (passenger rear I believe). I'm assuming that like other fuel injected cars it would prime the system when first turned on? I can hear the pump once the engine is running though. I saw some threads addressing similar issues with an MAS unit--but I do not believe my model has one (doesn't seem to be a cigarette package sized unit anywhere under the hood).

Any advice on these two issues? Are they related? Thanks again for your help!