Complete shutdown while driving?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Naples, FL
W203; E60; '68 Camaro
Complete shutdown while driving?
Wife was driving my 05 C230 when it completely shutdown at ~30 mph; no power steering, no electronics, etc. Pulled off safely, thank God. Waited a little while, then it started right back up as if nothing was wrong.
It's got 130k mi, and has a newer battery (last year) and a new OEM alternator about 6 mos. ago.
Any idea what's up? CEL has been on 0102 (if I remember correctly due to a MAF error that I am fixing this week). Would the malfunctioning MAF cause this? Thanks for any help.
It's got 130k mi, and has a newer battery (last year) and a new OEM alternator about 6 mos. ago.
Any idea what's up? CEL has been on 0102 (if I remember correctly due to a MAF error that I am fixing this week). Would the malfunctioning MAF cause this? Thanks for any help.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
An fuel trim or air flow issue like that might cause an engine shut down, but not a complete failure of everything including electrics.. this is very weird. I am not sure on this one.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 24
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From: Pensacola,FL
2001 C240, 2011 Honda pilot EX-L RES, 2005 Tundra
Wow, a total system failure across multiple computers is pretty weird. The only thing I could possibly think is maybe loose or corroded battery cables/ground cables. Or maybe even a battery that is starting to fail. If you able to get it to a autoparts store they can probably test the alternator and battery. Even though they are both pretty new, things happen. But other than those ideas, I have no idea! Sorry
Last edited by Jhartmann3; Apr 29, 2014 at 12:43 AM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 82
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From: Thessaloniki, Greece
Clk 200k cabrio w209, Jeep Crand Cherokee 3.0 CRD, Smart For two
No CEL on? Have you check it via STAR for stored engine codes? When it happens the cluster, lights and the audio was on? It is very weird for all the systems, ECU, front and back SAM, CANBUS, to shut down the same time. Go to your workshop and plug it to Star system. It will tell you what happened.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
I had issues after a big rain when nothing worked at all, but then after a few days things dried out and everything worked, but not this.
I would check all major electrical connections, battery, and alternator to see if they are tight and clean!
I would check all major electrical connections, battery, and alternator to see if they are tight and clean!
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Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 904
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, eh!
2003 C230 Sports Coupe, Paprika Metallic Red, Auto, Pano, Leather
Is this the wife's car? If so, and you're thinking about a divorce or getting rid of her one way or another,... it might be a good idea to load up on her life insurance, now.
But seriously,.. if it's what I think it is,... it will happen again,... maybe not today, maybe not even tomorrow, maybe sometimes next week or even maybe sometimes next month,... but rest assure, it WILL happen again. Sometimes it'll be a no start condition,... and sometimes it'll be car stalling (complete shutdown) when it's being driven. And as time go by, it will happen more frequently,... until, it just won't start at all.
Ask your wife for some more details! When the car did a "complete shutdown while driving",....
- " no power steering, no electronics, etc"? Define "no electronics". What exactly are the etc??? A million things can happen to these cars, we can't help you unless you tell us exactly what happened. We can't read your wife's mind!
Also,...
- Did the car felt like it was stopping by itself,... not slam braking but coasting to a stop,... maybe like the transmission going into lower and lower gears,... but it'll come to a complete stop within 10-15 seconds without you hitting the brakes!,... because you were too busy hitting the gas with no results!
- Did the instrument cluster on the dashboard light up like a Christmas tree? What where the malfunction errors? (IE: Coolant Visit Workshop, BAS/ESP Visit Workshop, then a third one for ABS Visit Workshop or Engine Visit Workshop, etc,..)
- Did front radiator fan turn itself on in high mode like a turbine engine? This will be loud from engine bay,... quite noticeable.
But seriously,.. if it's what I think it is,... it will happen again,... maybe not today, maybe not even tomorrow, maybe sometimes next week or even maybe sometimes next month,... but rest assure, it WILL happen again. Sometimes it'll be a no start condition,... and sometimes it'll be car stalling (complete shutdown) when it's being driven. And as time go by, it will happen more frequently,... until, it just won't start at all.
Ask your wife for some more details! When the car did a "complete shutdown while driving",....
- " no power steering, no electronics, etc"? Define "no electronics". What exactly are the etc??? A million things can happen to these cars, we can't help you unless you tell us exactly what happened. We can't read your wife's mind!
Also,...
- Did the car felt like it was stopping by itself,... not slam braking but coasting to a stop,... maybe like the transmission going into lower and lower gears,... but it'll come to a complete stop within 10-15 seconds without you hitting the brakes!,... because you were too busy hitting the gas with no results!
- Did the instrument cluster on the dashboard light up like a Christmas tree? What where the malfunction errors? (IE: Coolant Visit Workshop, BAS/ESP Visit Workshop, then a third one for ABS Visit Workshop or Engine Visit Workshop, etc,..)
- Did front radiator fan turn itself on in high mode like a turbine engine? This will be loud from engine bay,... quite noticeable.
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From: Hollister, CA
03 C320 (For Sale), 08 Audi TT
Wife was driving my 05 C230 when it completely shutdown at ~30 mph; no power steering, no electronics, etc. Pulled off safely, thank God. Waited a little while, then it started right back up as if nothing was wrong.
It's got 130k mi, and has a newer battery (last year) and a new OEM alternator about 6 mos. ago.
Any idea what's up? CEL has been on 0102 (if I remember correctly due to a MAF error that I am fixing this week). Would the malfunctioning MAF cause this? Thanks for any help.
It's got 130k mi, and has a newer battery (last year) and a new OEM alternator about 6 mos. ago.
Any idea what's up? CEL has been on 0102 (if I remember correctly due to a MAF error that I am fixing this week). Would the malfunctioning MAF cause this? Thanks for any help.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Coon Rapids MN
2005 C240
I am not sure if the crankshaft sensor would kill all electronics. My car died at a stop light and after three restart tries it started and drove fine. I still need to replace the crank sensor.
I am not sure what the issue that the OP is describing.
I am not sure what the issue that the OP is describing.
