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C240 Dies on Freeway

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Old 09-30-2010, 12:25 AM
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C240 Dies on Freeway

Hello all...would like some feedback on my recent encounter with my 2001 C240 with 150,000 miles.

As the title states, I got onto the freeway, pushed it a little to get up to highway speed and then all of a sudden the car just dies and completely shuts off. I apply gas and nothing. Lights on the dash still on. The steering wheel goes heavy. It was a pretty scary moment as there was several cars on the highway, and Im coasting trying to navigate to the shoulder. When I get onto the shoulder I wait a couple minutes before turning the key. I've noticed that the lights on the dash are still on, the headlights work, the radio is able to be turned on, and no faults on the dash. As I turn the key, the engine cranks for approximately 5 seconds and doesn't catch. I do this a handful of times with the same results, unable to get the car started. After a while of doing this over and over the battery dies and triple A comes to the rescue.

Has anyone ever had a similar problem that can chime in? The car was running fine prior nor did it show any tell-tale signs of something going bad. This morning I had it towed to an indy mechanic, who jump starts the battery and tries to start the car, but gets the same problem where it cranks and nothing else. He seems to believe its the fuel pump and wants to change that out...but, would the fuel pump just die while driving? Could it be the CPS instead? Maybe the alternator?...any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Old 09-30-2010, 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by MB01C240
Hello all...would like some feedback on my recent encounter with my 2001 C240 with 150,000 miles.

As the title states, I got onto the freeway, pushed it a little to get up to highway speed and then all of a sudden the car just dies and completely shuts off. I apply gas and nothing. Lights on the dash still on. The steering wheel goes heavy. It was a pretty scary moment as there was several cars on the highway, and Im coasting trying to navigate to the shoulder. When I get onto the shoulder I wait a couple minutes before turning the key. I've noticed that the lights on the dash are still on, the headlights work, the radio is able to be turned on, and no faults on the dash. As I turn the key, the engine cranks for approximately 5 seconds and doesn't catch. I do this a handful of times with the same results, unable to get the car started. After a while of doing this over and over the battery dies and triple A comes to the rescue.

Has anyone ever had a similar problem that can chime in? The car was running fine prior nor did it show any tell-tale signs of something going bad. This morning I had it towed to an indy mechanic, who jump starts the battery and tries to start the car, but gets the same problem where it cranks and nothing else. He seems to believe its the fuel pump and wants to change that out...but, would the fuel pump just die while driving? Could it be the CPS instead? Maybe the alternator?...any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

go to your Dealer get a new camshaft possition sensor put in... car die for as least 10-15minute ..then you can start back on...it die when car warn up about 25-30 minute of driving.... want do some test >>?? start your car at home and warn it up.. about 80c run till it die then take off that camshaft sensor, fast you can dip into water then put back in. it wil start back on riteaway..LOl

Last edited by simatuan; 09-30-2010 at 12:52 AM.
Old 09-30-2010, 01:53 AM
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"crank"shaft position sensor. NOT camshaft position sensor.
Old 09-30-2010, 02:00 AM
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Originally Posted by simatuan
go to your Dealer get a new camshaft possition sensor put in... car die for as least 10-15minute ..then you can start back on...it die when car warn up about 25-30 minute of driving.... want do some test >>?? start your car at home and warn it up.. about 80c run till it die then take off that camshaft sensor, fast you can dip into water then put back in. it wil start back on riteaway..LOl

Other than the part about getting a new camshaft position sensor put in.

I have no idea what the other parts was said. Anybody can deciper what the instructions are to be and for what purpose?

I think someone had post something similar to this issue but I don't recall the actual post. One thing for sure, it's not the alternator and can't be the fuel pump.
Old 09-30-2010, 06:23 AM
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What Frank said! CPS
Old 09-30-2010, 06:57 AM
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After the car is started, turn off your ESP to get you drive safely.
Old 09-30-2010, 10:42 AM
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Hands down its the crankshaft position sensor as told before. I know for a fact because I had this happin with my W202 C280 Sport and a friend of mine had this happin on his 2000 C43 AMG. Common early W203 Issue.
Old 09-30-2010, 08:13 PM
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Definitely CPS!
Old 10-02-2010, 02:14 AM
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Check out what the problem was...!!

First off thanks to all for the replies, I really appreciate it!

Well, the mechanic was adamant that the fuel pump was the cause of the problem and so he decided to investigate further and opened up the tank to take a look at the fuel pump...what he saw next caught him and all who saw this by surprise!! Check out the picture attached.

The mechanics were surprised and shocked that the car didn't catch fire or explode!

So they replaced the pump and all is well now with the car...except for my nerves...
Attached Thumbnails C240 Dies on Freeway-fuel-pump-.jpg  
Old 10-02-2010, 02:50 AM
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damn thats crazy.
Old 10-02-2010, 08:10 AM
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wow i never would have expected that
Old 10-02-2010, 08:14 AM
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Gasoline is flammable but not combustible - so the car might have caught fire but you don't need to worry that it will blow up (and take you with it). I've not seen anything like that before on a W203.

Glad you got it fixed!
Old 10-02-2010, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Gasoline is flammable but not combustible - so the car might have caught fire but you don't need to worry that it will blow up
You got that wrong! Gasoline is both flammable & combustible & under the correct conditions of pressure & a heat source it could cause whatever is containing it to explode.

What you meant to say is that it's not by definition an explosive - It is a flammable & combustible substance.

Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 10-02-2010 at 06:12 PM.
Old 10-02-2010, 01:38 PM
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what can cause somthing like that?
Old 10-02-2010, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
You got that wrong! Gasoline is both flammable & combustible & under the correct conditions of pressure & a heat souce it could cause whatever is containing it to explode.

What you meant to say is that it's not by definition an explosive - It is a flammable & combustible substance.
I stand corrected.
Old 10-02-2010, 11:45 PM
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lol something like that not gonna blow up! if your gas cap is closed..if you forgot to put cap on maybe it will..
Old 03-18-2011, 06:46 PM
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so just to get educated, the above scenario with car ('01 C240) dying on the freeway, the car was not able to start again after cool down. The only time it re-started is when you discovered/replaced the fuelpump.

However, if after cool down period, a car was able to restart, this would probably indicate a bad CPS?
Old 03-18-2011, 07:08 PM
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But i don't understand what caused that to happen?? Looking at the wires you may have to find out why? Replacement could have the same issue if something in your electrical system is trigging that. Over voltage or wires touching each other. That sucks most def i would have thought the CRANK Sensor went dead. I know the older and first models have electrical issues. Mine doesn't ( knock on wood ) Did you smell anything burning while in your ride? Im not understanding why the red wire is fried open like that. Unless it melted

Last edited by Xhale707; 03-18-2011 at 07:12 PM.
Old 03-18-2011, 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by KalC240
so just to get educated, the above scenario with car ('01 C240) dying on the freeway, the car was not able to start again after cool down. The only time it re-started is when you discovered/replaced the fuelpump.

However, if after cool down period, a car was able to restart, this would probably indicate a bad CPS?
Yes - Sometimes a CPS that is failing will continue to work for a while when cool.

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