dontwakemeup

I've talked to one owner who has had the same thing happen to him and his C230K but with an automatic. After driving about an hour on the highway at apprx. 81 mph ran into some stop-n-go traffic in town. All-the-while the AC was running but the engine temp was normal (90 F). When I gave it some gas while in first gear to start off, the engine up and quit. I knew immediately something wasn't right since I had pushed the clutch back in before it finally stalled. After starting in neutral, it died again without even attempting to start off again. Same experience on the next 3 stops. Very embarrassing--looked like I couldn't drive a stick or something. Not to mention dangerous--I was out in the middle of a busy intersection. I CAN say the hazard lights work great. Pulled over for 15 minutes, checked for any malfunctions listed in the computer, etc....nothing. Popped the hood, fairly hot. Started off again and encountered the stall one more time, kept driving for another hour without incident. I haven't experienced it again since. In any case, I cannot except this at all. What would happen if I were driving through the Nevada desert with my AC on? Has anyone else had this experience yet??

NANA

Sorry to hear that. What is the mileage on your car? Did u fill any lower octane gas by mistake? There are posts about the unexpected engine cut offs but with no answers I guess...

dontwakemeup

I was asked the same thing from service and almost was almost accused of somehow causing this. I have 4500 miles and have always used 91 octane gas. I'm pretty sure Conoco is a decent brand, too. This is the second MAJOR problem I've encountered in the first month of ownership. I'm beginning to get concerned.

young

do you top off the gas? there was a thread a while ago about putting excess gas causes some problems like stalling.

dontwakemeup

nope, I had a half tank at the time

young

i'm not sure if this will be applicable. monkeybrain's post seems to be most relevant.

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...t=engine+stall

dontwakemeup

Thank you, Young. It looks like it could be the OVP "Over Voltage Protection" relay. I'll ask if they can check it. I appreciate your help.

dontwakemeup

Well, wish I could post some good news but can't. Was told there isn't an OVP in the c230 coupe so I had to rule that out from the start. Since the check engine light never came on, there was no info for the techs to use so the "official" cause of the problem was, "you somehow managed to stall the engine yourself." I thought, that would MAYBE make sense if it happened once, but not 4 times in a row. Plus the engine would quit running while in NEUTRAL, as well. Funny, my Saturn "loaner" car seemed to start off just fine. I've also had addtional responses on this subject. Looks like there may be yet another problem that the service advisors haven't been informed on or perhaps another unexplainable problem MB as a company cannot explain ---either way, it's pretty disappointing. Lots of room for improvement here.

galaxygrrl

Search on Raymond (as a poster) he had these problems, I don't remeber the resolution.

Beth

jswedberg

I had a similar problem on our ML - it was the fuel pump.

raymond

Hi Guys

I'm back like bad heartburn.

Yes, replacement of the fuel pump seemed to fix the problem, in that the car didn't cut out again in the brief time we owned it after the replacement, of which it spent 3 weeks in the shop!

The ultimate solution is to do what I did - sell it and buy something else.

BTW, my uncle in South Africa recently purchased a C-Wagon (I think it may be a C240) for his wife, and I'm thrilled to announce that the problems we have here also occur there. Luckily for him, he is on first-name terms with the technical director of MB in Liebe Deutschland (he collects SL-class MBs), and he will no doubt have it sorted out quickly.

Good luck, all.

Cheers
Raymond

Big Dog

My 230K went into the shop for the same thing this morning. I had an experience almost identical to Don'twakemeup's. Will keep you posted on any developments.

Big Dog

I just got an update on my problem -- my Service Rep indicated that the MB rep was there today and pinpointed the problem as a faulty transmission control module.

I thought those of you with 230 Coupe's may want to know in case you are confronted with this problem in the future.

dontwakemeup

Big Dog--Do you have an automatic or manual? Is the module present on both?

Big Dog

Sorry I didn't mention it earlier -- its an automatic. I'd be surprised if its on a manual but will ask my rep tomorrow when I pick it up.

mleskovar

Welcome to high tech cars. Only part and assembly quality control along with repair experience can fix problems like this. Every manufacturer has them (yes, even Lexus/Toyota) but the C class seems to have more than its share.

Big Dog

Here is the latest -- my service rep called today and told me that the replacement module won't be in till next tuesday/wed. Apparantly, it has to be coded correctly my my model and shipped from chicago.

Now for the really wierd part -- the loaner C230 wagon we got has the same problem!!!!!! The hesitation feeling following a full stop is very pronounced and has happened to both my wife and myself.

KJ-TypeR

Anyone figure out the solution to this yet? My GF has the same problem on her car. (6-Speed)