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2002 C230K randomly shuts off while driving

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Old Jun 14, 2017 | 06:51 PM
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2002 Mercedes C230K
2002 C230K randomly shuts off while driving

I have a 2002 Mercedes C230 Kompressor with 180K miles on it. Everything went well until last evening, the engine suddenly shut off while in motion. The dash board light stayed on but the engine was completely off, and the car did not start until i put it in park, turn off ignition and then attempt to start. It ran fine for couple of minutes and then again it happened. Dash lights all on, headlights were on, but engine shut off. When it happened the 2nd time, the check engine light came on.

I took it to the Mercedes showroom today and i was told that, for some reason, their they were not able to communicate with the ECM or ECU ( not remember exact term) to read code and mentioned that they would first have to put a whole new ECM/ECU in it which will cost $1200 and then try to read the engine code to find out what the issue is. Which means more money out of my pocket.

There was no sound, no jerk, hiccup, or any sought of signs that would have warned me of a potential problem. It just abruptly turns off with of any issue. I do not have an idea what the issue is, but need help.

has this ever happened to someone else? how do i go about resolving this issue?

Please help.

Last edited by mbismylife; Jun 14, 2017 at 06:54 PM.
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Old Jun 15, 2017 | 10:47 PM
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1995 E420, 1998 E300TD, 2002 CL230K 6spd, 2002 CL230K auto, 2002 CL280T VR6 Project, 2001 A6 2.7T
There can be at least half a dozen things that can cause the "engine cuts off" complaint that you have described and the crankshaft position sensor is one of the more common components that fail intermittently when they get hot, however, proper diagnosis requires a scan tool to be connected to the diagnostic port so that fault codes and data can be retrieved and evaluated. The engine control modules are usually very reliable and do not commonly fail but they can be damaged by things like jump starts or ESD from improper handling. Before I would even begin to assign fault to the ECU I would make sure that its basic power, ground, and data comm circuits are tested. This is also the the scope of the guided test plan for a "NO Communication" fault in DAS. If the "Check Engine" light comes on when you turn the key to position 2 then the ECU is "On Line" and communicating with the car on the vehicle CAN network. Sounds like you might need "second opinion" , have you tried to get a "Free scan" from a auto parts store like autozone? They use a generic scan tool that uses a different comm protocol that may be able to get the codes.
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Old Jun 16, 2017 | 05:53 PM
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2002 Mercedes C230K
First of all, thank you for the advise of getting a second opinion. I stopped by autozone, asked them if they could read the code, and guess what? It worked. The code retreated were P0341,P0335,P0340, all directing me to cam shaft position sensor.

@junkyarddawg hats off to you. Thank you so much for the advice.

Now i have one more issue. The AC does not turn on at all. The blower just doesn't turn on no matter what. Any idea what could have caused this issue?
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Old Jun 16, 2017 | 09:44 PM
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1995 E420, 1998 E300TD, 2002 CL230K 6spd, 2002 CL230K auto, 2002 CL280T VR6 Project, 2001 A6 2.7T
I'm glad to hear that the free scan is helping to move you in the right direction.
Regarding the A/C complaint, I suggest a search or start a new thread, not that I don't have some ideas, maybe its best to keep each thread on topic.
happy motoring
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Old Jun 16, 2017 | 11:42 PM
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2005 C230K(sold), Mk7 Jetta
re: the A/C:
Get to the blower motor and test it - perhaps it or the regulator module has failed.
See this: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4957269
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Old Jul 25, 2017 | 01:34 PM
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2002 Mercedes C230K
Originally Posted by VVF
re: the A/C:
Get to the blower motor and test it - perhaps it or the regulator module has failed.
See this: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post4957269
Apology for the late replay. Following your suggestion I swapped the blower motor regulator with a one that I found in a salvage yard, and Wolla!!! It works😊... thanks for the advice.
But since then I have couple of new issues

I will start a new thread mentioning them.
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Old Jul 25, 2017 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by mbismylife
The code retreated were P0341,P0335,P0340, all directing me to cam shaft position sensor.
Actually, the codes point to 2 completely different parts.

P0335 is the Crankshaft Position Sensor.

The other two point to Camshaft Position Sensor.

If car dies when hot, replacing the CPS (CKP) may give you a true "Voila !" moment.
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