C 280- Stumped on electrical problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
1986 190 E 2.3
C 280- Stumped on electrical problem
I have a '99 C280. The car starts fine and runs OK. Then I turn it off and try to restart and the starter turns over, but the engine won't start. I wait a while, then it will start like nothing is wrong. Also, power windows now going down fine, but going up, have to keep pressing the button. A/C not up to par, but was before I had the problem. The fuel pump relay, fuel pump, fuel filter, and battery have been replaced, but the problem continues to persist.
When the car is running, it runs great.
Any ideas what I should be checking?
When the car is running, it runs great.
Any ideas what I should be checking?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, AL
1973 220
Regarding the windows - Do all the windows have trouble going up? Usually when a power window has issues either going up or down, it's simply a bad switch. If other windows are working fine, that's likely the cause. You can check by hooking up the faulty window to a different switch and see if the problem goes away.
Sorry, don't have any words of wisdom on the starting issue.
Sorry, don't have any words of wisdom on the starting issue.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 431
Likes: 44
From: Portsmouth, VA
2010 E350, Sold 1998 C230
First off, the switches are not the issue. The windows are computer controlled so all the switches do is send a signal to the computer to move them up or down. Very unlikely they would all go south. Probably something has happened to un-sync them so the system has to relearn what the upper limit is.
The problem with starting is a classic heat related issue. Things get hot under the hood, things expand and now some connection is broken. When you say it won't start, does it still get spark? Does it still get fuel? What if any codes does it have? Basic troublshooting.
Finally, the ac is probably not related to the other problems. Hook up a gauge set and see what the pressures are. It may need a recharge, or could be a problem with, you guessed it, the computer. Check it for codes, may be a bad sensor and the computer is shutting down the compressor to avoid damage.
The problem with starting is a classic heat related issue. Things get hot under the hood, things expand and now some connection is broken. When you say it won't start, does it still get spark? Does it still get fuel? What if any codes does it have? Basic troublshooting.
Finally, the ac is probably not related to the other problems. Hook up a gauge set and see what the pressures are. It may need a recharge, or could be a problem with, you guessed it, the computer. Check it for codes, may be a bad sensor and the computer is shutting down the compressor to avoid damage.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 789
Likes: 55
From: Henrico, Virginia
2014 ML350 4Matic
The starting problem sounds like a faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS). Search this site for CPS and you will get all sorts of info. Also, look over on Benzworld.com. The problem is common on all the M112/M113 engines, not necessarily any particular chassis.
To resync the windows, press the switch down to the first detent (the "manual down" position). Hold until the window goes all the way down and hold for 2 seconds. do the same in the up direction. Auto up/down should work then.
To resync the windows, press the switch down to the first detent (the "manual down" position). Hold until the window goes all the way down and hold for 2 seconds. do the same in the up direction. Auto up/down should work then.
