C240 Dies on Freeway
#1
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!
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!
#2
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!
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.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cali
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2006 C230 Sedan
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.
![nix](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/nixweiss.gif)
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.
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Saratoga Springs, New York & Sarasota, Florida.
Posts: 3,503
Received 423 Likes
on
349 Posts
MB’s
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.
Trending Topics
#9
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...
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...
![Scared](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/scared.gif)
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
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!
Glad you got it fixed!
#13
Super Moderator
![](https://staticssl.ibsrv.net/autocomm/Content/MB/mbwambassador2.gif)
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.
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
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.
What you meant to say is that it's not by definition an explosive - It is a flammable & combustible substance.
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#17
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?
However, if after cool down period, a car was able to restart, this would probably indicate a bad CPS?
#18
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: North San diego
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
C320 2002
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.
#19
Super Moderator
![](https://staticssl.ibsrv.net/autocomm/Content/MB/mbwambassador2.gif)
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?
However, if after cool down period, a car was able to restart, this would probably indicate a bad CPS?