gnychis

Hi all,

I'm trying to revive our 2001 E320 a bit. For months it wouldn't crank or start at all, electronics were dead. So I recently replaced the voltage regulator and battery and it ran beautifully for a week. But then this week it ran in to problems again.

Periodically when I would come to a stop it would stall out on me. I could then immediately restart it. But now I was driving around a bend doing like 5mph when I saw all the lights come on the dash and it crawled to a halt. I cannot get it to turnover now.

It cranks, but doesn't turn over:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnychis/7011583901/

I checked the fluids and they are all fine. I waited 10 minutes, tried again, same problem.

There was roughly a 6 month time where the car didn't run at all before I replaced voltage regulator and battery.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can check to narrow down this problem?

Thanks so much.

Joeker82

Are you throwing any codes?

gnychis

Would a code cause a solid light on my dash? I have no lights that remain.

ohlord

spark.
Check for fuel.
Could be a dead fuel pump or fuse.

track_warrior

Agreed, im sure it has something to do with the fuel system. Make sure you check your fuel line for fuel pressure when you turn the key into the start position.

gnychis

Thanks for the help and responses. Tried to start the car this morning and it did turn over. Checked the fuel pump fuse and it is OK. I saw the check engine light on, so I attempted to drive it to Pep Boys and it stalled on me again and won't turn over. Going to get the OBD code read.

Btw. Where is the fuel pump relay? I did some searching through the forum and someone suggested it was underneath passenger side rear seat by the fuse box. I didn't see it there, however.

There is a box under the drive side rear seat though, but it looks electrical.

pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnychis/6868737896/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnychis...n/photostream/

RobertG

Spray a little starting fluid into the air filter intake while cranking if it starts then it's fuel related if it doesnt then it's spark related.

ohlord

toast your Mass air sensor.
If you want to try that open the clamp and spray the starter fluid in after the maf so as not to contaminate it.
Best to check fuel at the fuel rail.
No need to ruin other stuff

gnychis

Okay, thanks so much for all of the help everyone! I am working on it still, but wanted to get the error code read first.

I had a local shop read it and they said its throwing an error related to the crank shaft sensor. I have never heard of this part on the car. Would it be causing the symptoms I am seeing of stalling and failing to turn over? Looking it up now, just wanted to report some progress.

CKonstantin

Yes it definitely could be related, this sensor(Crankshaft Position Sensor) tells the ECM how fast the engine is turning(RPM read-out) and also the position of the crankshaft(so it knows when to initiate fuel injection and spark). If it is dead the engine will no longer start.You can get one at the dealer or online. Check everything else though just to make sure it is a $70-100 part... One of the symptoms is the car cutting out when hot, idling in traffic or coming of a highway and stopping abruptly. If you experienced those earlier that could indicate a bad CPS, but you could have a bad CPS without them.

gnychis

Thanks so much for the response! This makes a lot of sense, and I learned a lot about a sensor I never knew existed from your post. It definitely shows those symptoms. It would only stall when warm and wouldn't start again until it would sit for hours.

I called my local dealer today and the didn't have the part, so they are going to order it for me.

ChadNuesmeyer

Kind of related problem...

Our 2001 e320 (w210 - estate) starts fine cold but, after driving somewhere and trying to start, it will crank but, won't start. This happens periodically and is not consistent about when it does it. If I wait another 10-20 minutes it will start.

I took it in and had the battery checked and Autozone said that battery was functioning at 96%. I assumed that is good and left.

The last time it happened I got a check engine light. I got the codes red at Autozone:
- Bank 1 oxygen sensor 1 - p0130
- Bank 2 sensor 1 - p0150
- Camshaft position sensor - p0335
- Throttle position sensor - p0120

That being said, what do you guys think? I will start to search for a post on how to replace the Camshaft Position Sensor - if somebody knows where it is I would appreciate the link.

Thanks

003stars

[QUOTE=ChadNuesmeyer;6200381]Kind of related problem...

Our 2001 e320 (w210 - estate) starts fine cold but, after driving somewhere and trying to start, it will crank but, won't start. This happens periodically and is not consistent about when it does it. If I wait another 10-20 minutes it will start.


Looks like your Crankshaft Positioner Sensor makes problem and check the CPSensor with DVOM before remove the sensor(disconnect the connector on fire wall) Good sensor should have about 750 Ohm if I'm remember correctly. Location is back of B2 Bank Cylinder head( Left hand or Driver side) on Bell housing. Good luck. 003stars

ChadNuesmeyer

@003stars (and everybody else) - forums seem to use the acronym CPS for both:
- Crankshaft Position Sensor
- Camshaft Position Sensor

Here are the best links I have been able to find on how to replace them:

Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS) - Replace Directions
* post 1
* post 2

Camshaft Position Sensor - Replace Directions
* post 3

Has anybody seen a good link with images on how to replace the Crankshaft? The 'Sticky' on benzworld is missing the images... it also looks like it is kind of tucked away.

Thanks