W203 Sportcoupe auto dangerous electrical problem

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May 31, 2019 | 03:26 AM
  #1  
Intermittently my car has a strange electrical problem.
I can best describe it as
0) insert key, position 0
1) Turn key to position 1
2) turn to position 2
3) turn key to start, key returns to position 2
4) intermittently the effect is that the key is turned back to position 1 a beep is heard and then 2 seconds later returned to position 2.

I have simulated this by manually turning the key from position 2 to 1 and back to 2.

The effect when driving is engine cuts out, clocks drop to 0, radio not affected, blowers not affected.

If I'm going over 25 mph the car recovers, restarts and continues, below that it comes to a grinding halt.

It has never happened on bumpy terrain only on smooth roads.

This has made my car stressful and dangerous to drive.

Please help me solve this problem.
I've edited the post to correct the key sequence.
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May 31, 2019 | 05:33 AM
  #2  
This is definitely a new one. Can you post a video?

What do you mean the key returns to position 1 after starting? As in the key mechanism no longer keeps the key in position 2?

Sounds like some kind of hardware failure or broken wire with the ignition module (the module the key goes into).
Reply 0
Nov 23, 2019 | 08:40 AM
  #3  
More information
I tried to track down the problem by pulling relays and fuses.
i recreated the problem by pulling fuse 21 in the driver side fuse box. The fuse tests good.

Is there a wiring fiagram showing this circuit?
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