organizer

Just yesterday, right after I'd engaged the supercharger for a couple of seconds which it was still working fine, then it started had take offs from 0 that seemed in 4th gear; speed built up very slowly to normal but unable to engaged the supercharger when stepped down. And when let go the gas paddle while at speed, then tried to picked up the speed again, same; power built up very slowly to normal but unable to engage the supercharger when stepped down.

After turned off the engine for about 5 minutes, everything is back to normal; no problems at all! Am I having a classic case of the intercooler is going bad? Is the solution to that still to change it to a Ford Lightning ones which I read years ago? Please help.

Lenin

You should use some way of logging your IATs (there are many solutions). That's the least expensive way to figure this out. Otherwise it does sound like an intercooler pump.

organizer

Thanks for the advice, Lenin. I've been reading the faulty intercooler issue link for the past hour though they were dated back in '06 / '07.

Supgee

If the actual intercooler itself was bad, you would be loosing coolant and would be having to top it off... as small particles of the coolant are drawn into the incoming air stream and burnt from the leaky intercooler. Sounds more likely that your pumps giving out.

organizer

Yes, replacing the intercooler pump is at the top of my list, will call Eurogarged today. Thank you for reminding that I'll be loosing coolant for the time being.

organizer

Replaced the very first and original IC Pump with a Johnson CM30 a few days ago but the problem was still there! Did more reading on power lost and realized that JamesC32 had advised me to replace the IC Pump relay a year ago when my supercharger couldn't engaged at all for another situation. So it was replaced yesterday and drove it for an hour and a half; stop and go and let it sat idling for 10 minutes... No issue at all throughout. I sure hope it's not some kind of sensor that works intermittently and cut the power again later! Otherwise, problem solved. Thanks again! JamesC32.

Though I should've replaced the IC Pump relay to start with, but since my car will eventually runs into its first fair share of IC Pump goes out; 37K miles on the clock now, 2002's. One less common guess for my next similar situation arise if the mileage is not going to be too far from now, took care of this worry that has been on my mind for the past 12 years and since I'm not that busy now! I can't imagine that I have no time to do the research and let the stealer or the independent repair shops tell me whatever! The stealer wanted $2500 to replace the fuel pump a year ago when an independent repair shop took care of that issue for $800 bucks; replaced the fried SAM box for unable to start and supercharger couldn't engaged ( still not sure about that one; when the fried SAM box was returned to me without a fuse in its #5 slot and no IC Pump relay was plugged into the C port of the new SAM box! ) though I was able to get the misdiagnosed fee back from the stealer!

SD1

I am having this or a similar issue. I threw a new acclerator pedal in the car and that seemed to cure it, however I realize now it is only happening when the car is at temp. Can you guys help me diagnose? Where is the relay? The IC pump looks like an easy swap too.

Clk2C55

by these symptoms my best educated guess would be Crankshaft position sensor. ive had the same thing happen twice. once on my '05 clk500 and once on my current '05 c55. check error codes. i can almost guarantee that this is the issue.

SD1

There are NO error codes and the car passed California smog today. i am researching the IC problem and going to check the fuse/relay. THe fuse is fine, relay is warm, but my multimere probes wont go into the slots. Does this relay actually fail????

organizer

This SAM box is in the trunk on the driver's side.

organizer

Don't know if it's in the same location as your E320?

Lenin

I hope we are not talking about an E320 since E320 does not have an intercooler pump. It is not supercharged.

SD1

Thanks I found the box and checked the fuse, electrical probs are NOT my thing, I dont know what readings I should see on the relay??? I am not against throwing some money at it, the IC pump is only $100, cant imagine the relay is much???? Sounds identical to the OP problem. Think the accelerator pedal was a waste but I bought it at a yard for $50

organizer

Just paid under $22 with tax for the relay the other day from the dealer; not to far from a single fuse that they wanted to charged me while I was up in Vegas; $5 ish.

organizer

Same here, I just wanted to make sure by saying that, since I saw SD1 only listed a 2002 E320 that he drives; not supercharged that I know, just didn't know an IC Pump must goes with the SC, now I know

SD1

@organizer, I changed the sig, can see how that would throw you, sorry. I have 3 mercs right now and I rarely hold on to them long.

I have been on and off this and other mb sites for over 10 years, I just cant keep track of user names and passwords.

organizer

My ignorance of our cars to blame; to begin with . Have you change the IC Pump relay yet, I have the part # if you need it.

SD1

I pulled the relay and found one on Amazon for $20. Kind of wanted to do it today (dealer wouldnt pick up the phone so I ordered it via amazon while I was on hold) as I am kind of assuming it is the pump and didnt want to wait 5 days and find out its fine and then wait a couple more days for the pump, but oh well.

SD1

I mistakenly drove the car to my friends house last night with the relay still out and had no SC for those few miles. I drove again this am with the relay back in and the SC did engage so clearly the relay does work, should have tried that before I bought a new one.

insame1

have you tested the pump. It takes about 10 min and will give you an answer. Also it is free.

jneal3110

Would there be any other evidence of a leaking intercooler besides needing to top off? Exhaust smell, etc? Also wondering what if any catastrophic side damage this would cause...

SD1

no I have not I assume I have to get underneath the car and take the pan off. I have a multimeter or I could just try running current to it. What do you suggest

insame1

i would just run 12 v to it and see if it turns on.

organizer

Trick or treat; after replaced the IC pump relay and test drove it right after for an hour and a half without any issues ( sorry SD1 )... then have been driving my C32 as if it's a 4-cylinder 9/10 of the time again after my last post; power still being decreased significantly and SC just can't engage at all. Even when I'd downshifted to 1st gear manually for the take off from 0, it still slower than The Little Old Lady from Pasadena / train. But when it crawls up to the speed for 2nd gear, I found that I can then kept upshifting from 2nd for quicker speed pick up, this way helps a lot when I'm at speed on the freeway; since it wouldn't even accelerate 1/2 of properly for a 4-cylinder when needed suddenly; downshifting manually at proper speed for faster acceleration right after slowed down for the traffic. However, when restarted the engine after it has been turned off for a few minutes, the power is back to normal for a short period of time, included the SC; even after a long drive ( engine temp is not cold by now; coolant has never been lost from problem first started ).

Is it transmission / temperature and other sensors, gas paddle, cadillac converter or other possible issue that I'd read here on power lost so far? Something else inexpensive / simple that I can do before taking it into the shop for diagnose? Can anyone recommend a reliable / trustworthy shop in / or close to S. Pasadena, SoCal; even if it's a little ways out as long it's reliable / trustworthy and price reasonable also. By the way, my car has Thirty-seven Thousand miles on it if it matters for your helps. Thanks.

insame1

It seems as if you still have not tested the IC pump or checked you IAT. This is the most common cause of your issue and it is free to tests. If restarting the car fixes the problem you could be overheating your SC and IC and this will eventual hurt it and could make your IC leak. I would stop trying anything else until you have ruled out the IC pump completely.

Ill tell you one thing though you don't have a "Cadillac converter"