m00nsh0t

So I drove my c43 home yesterday, parked it, and then discovered it would not start.

Since then, I've been able to get it to start a few times, but around 80% of the times I've tried to crank it, it will turn over once, and then not do anything.

I'm trying to figure out what this could be, currently thinking battery or MAF sensor because I had a MAF related code a few days ago.

Any ideas?

cm60k

If it crank but NOT start, could be "CPS" sensor, did you check that..??

ZAYED,,

99CEEFOURTHREE

this..Crank position sensor

m00nsh0t

So after posting this, I went to have another crack at it. I cleaned the MAF and hooked it up to my daily's battery. It cranked 5 times and then started with a CEL. You guys are right, its the CPS.

eFifty5AMG

Glad I could help

cm60k

...

ZAYED,,

eFifty5AMG

Haha Zayed, you're always on the ball!

m00nsh0t

Turns out that isnt it. Put in a new CPS and it didn't stop failing to start when the engine is warm. Adding misfires in cyl. 6 and 8 to the symptoms list. Anyone know any possible solutions before I go for the nuclear option of just putting in a 5.4 motor?

Edit: It works fine now. Filing this under "Fxcking Magic".

Sulaco

Rusty flywheel between starter gear. Have to yank starter and put anti sieze paste on the starter gear or have someone apply it to the flywheel via the window in the bottom of the engine.

triethylborane

Can you estimate how many miles were driven between new CPS install and the engine properly operating?

m00nsh0t

Probably around 5 miles. I dont actually have it registered yet because Im not sure it passes inspection in its current condition (SHHHHHH), so Im just driving it around my neighborhood.

Second day of it working absolutely beautifully. I dont think Ive ever seen a 200k mile car that drives this well.

Edit: Its doing it again. I googled the ring gear issue Sulaco mentioned, other people who had that issue describe exactly the same problem its now having. A slight chirp when starting, cranking for a much shorter time than normal and then trying again, and it sometimes working. Somehow this car had two separate starter issues, CPS and this.

Sulaco

It's an issue on all the M113-v8 powered cars at some point. Mercedes even has a bulletin about it but their method involves yanking the starter, which is a very labor intensive job. Experienced MB indie shops have their own quicker, cheaper ways to fix it.

295k on mine and it's had this issue and a water pump go bad

m00nsh0t

I just bought the Aluminum grease and Im planning to grease it tomorrow through the inspection panel. Thanks for the heads up, I never would have guessed this was the issue.