C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Lack of Power - Is this normal?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 04-09-2002, 11:27 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Rainers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Minneapolis/ St Paul
Posts: 303
Received 45 Likes on 40 Posts
Question Lack of Power - Is this normal?

Since the day I picked up my 2001 C240 and when ever I first start the car for the day it seems to run in 1st gear for a good block or so. Then there is no power until after the first mile. For me it is an accident waiting to happen. I drive out of my neighborhood and when I pull out to the intersection the car has no power. Once I am down the road it is fine. Other than that I have been lucky the car has been very dependable. Any comments would help me.
Old 04-09-2002, 11:45 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
mdp c230k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2002 c230k
This is NOT NORMAL! Take it in right away! Something in the fuel managment or ignition is very wrong. It might be a temp sensor if it gets better after a mile or so. Get it done before it causes an accident.
Old 04-09-2002, 01:18 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
benzy230's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
does the engine rev when there is no power?? or does it sound like it is cutting out??
Old 04-09-2002, 02:34 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Rainers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Minneapolis/ St Paul
Posts: 303
Received 45 Likes on 40 Posts
The car does not rev or anything it just lacks power. I punch it down to the floor and nothing happens I just creep slowly. Once it gets going it is fine. I thought it was something to do with ESP or traction control
Old 04-09-2002, 02:40 PM
  #5  
Almost a Member!
 
cityscape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is NOT normal. The only difference in power i feel in the morning is that it holds first gear a little longer - apart from that Power Delivery is similar to what it is when the engine is warm.
Old 04-09-2002, 02:41 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
benzy230's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yeah, it could be the ESP....thats why i asked...i would take it to the dealer for sure!
Old 04-09-2002, 02:43 PM
  #7  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
vadim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ashburn, VA
Posts: 2,498
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Just a thought - maybe it's somehow stuck in Winter mode?
Old 04-09-2002, 02:52 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
mdp c230k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
2002 c230k
Does the yellow warning light on the dash go off? That would be a clue for ESP. If not, look at other systems.
Old 04-09-2002, 05:43 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
viper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Canada
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Talking

I hope your parking brake is not on.
Old 04-09-2002, 06:30 PM
  #10  
DtS
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
DtS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C200 Kompressor
Can't this problem be related to a faulty fuel-pump? I know that faulty fuel pumps has been an issue for the W203.
Old 04-10-2002, 04:05 AM
  #11  
Super Member
 
WyattEarp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Deerfield Beach, FL
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2006 MB C230 SS 6spd, Navi
I had something similar happen have someone behind you check and see if your brake lights are flickering. My coupe would loose power but once they replaced the faulty brake light switch then the problem went away.
Old 04-10-2002, 10:40 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Rainers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Minneapolis/ St Paul
Posts: 303
Received 45 Likes on 40 Posts
Smile

First of all Thanks to all the good posts. It truly helped me decide this was not normal. I spoke with MB and they saw this on another C240 and would like to install another fuel distribution module. I made an appointment for Monday 4/10 and expect to get it back on 4/11. They would like to keep it overnight to see the results the next morning. I will post the outcome later.

Thanks to all that contributed.
Old 04-10-2002, 10:59 AM
  #13  
Super Member
 
benzy230's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
anytime man...any time....keep us informed on what it is though!
Old 04-10-2002, 11:18 AM
  #14  
Almost a Member!
 
Jerry Schwartz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NEW YORK
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2002 C230K
Warm Up

My c230k is "slow" for about the first 30 seconds after starting it...I didn't think anything of it ..just figured the engine needs to warm up a little
Old 04-10-2002, 12:14 PM
  #15  
Admin Alumni
 
MB-BOB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 12 Posts
See Garage
This may not be the same issue...

I live in a subdivision about 300 yards from a "main" street. As I back out of the garage first thing in the morning into my street, put it in "D" then leave for that intersection, I notice that the tranny will shift from 1 to 2, but will not shift into 3rd by the time I get to the intersection (the engine is at about 3K rpm which is about the upshift point for normal driving, I can tell it wants to shift, but it won't.)

I've always interpreted this to be a warm-up procedure the car goes through.... normal. Once I turn onto the main street, the car shifts normally. Just that first 300 yards when the engine is cold.

Sounds like the problem you're experiencing is an exaggerated version of this... Just guessing.
Old 04-10-2002, 12:26 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Rainers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Minneapolis/ St Paul
Posts: 303
Received 45 Likes on 40 Posts
It is not the same Issue. MB-BOB
This happens but is normal. My issue is that once I stop at the sign I have no power the car just creeps slowly.


This may not be the same issue...
I live in a subdivision about 300 yards from a "main" street. As I back out of the garage first thing in the morning into my street, put it in "D" then leave for that intersection, I notice that the tranny will shift from 1 to 2, but will not shift into 3rd by the time I get to the intersection (the engine is at about 3K rpm which is about the upshift point for normal driving, I can tell it wants to shift, but it won't.)

I've always interpreted this to be a warm-up procedure the car goes through.... normal. Once I turn onto the main street, the car shifts normally. Just that first 300 yards when the engine is cold.

Sounds like the problem you're experiencing is an exaggerated version of this... Just guessing.
Old 04-10-2002, 04:56 PM
  #17  
Admin Alumni
 
MB-BOB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 12 Posts
See Garage
Cool, Rainers. I hope they can fix it for you. Let us know what they replace.
Old 04-10-2002, 05:02 PM
  #18  
DtS
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
DtS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 2,309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C200 Kompressor
Originally posted by MB-BOB
This may not be the same issue...

I live in a subdivision about 300 yards from a "main" street. As I back out of the garage first thing in the morning into my street, put it in "D" then leave for that intersection, I notice that the tranny will shift from 1 to 2, but will not shift into 3rd by the time I get to the intersection (the engine is at about 3K rpm which is about the upshift point for normal driving, I can tell it wants to shift, but it won't.)

I've always interpreted this to be a warm-up procedure the car goes through.... normal. Once I turn onto the main street, the car shifts normally. Just that first 300 yards when the engine is cold.

Sounds like the problem you're experiencing is an exaggerated version of this... Just guessing.
Mine does exactly the same, and according to my manual, it is supposed to work this way, i.e hold the gears a little "longer" 'til the engine heats up. So I wouldn't call this an issue at all
Old 04-10-2002, 10:38 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Rainers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Minneapolis/ St Paul
Posts: 303
Received 45 Likes on 40 Posts
I agree that the car holding gear longer when first starting out is normal. The problem is that time when I stop at a stop sign I have no acceleration, the car just creeps along slowly then building up speed.
Old 05-03-2002, 09:04 AM
  #20  
Newbie
 
clement's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: toronto
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
C320
i just find the 1st and 2nd gear is really slow... but i only have 1100km on it. Will it get any better once the car break in?
Old 05-03-2002, 10:49 AM
  #21  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Rainers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Minneapolis/ St Paul
Posts: 303
Received 45 Likes on 40 Posts
Cool fixed

Mercedes found the problem to be a ME computer for the fuel system. Now I can punch the accelrator and move out of the way in the morning.

Thanks to all

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Lack of Power - Is this normal?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:18 AM.