Killa' Benz

HELP PLEASE!

Today my car stalled coming out of the Jack in the Box. Then it wouldn't start. It cranks but doesn't start.

The only thing I've recently done is clean the throttle body with carb cleaner. And I changed the oil.

Car is a 2005 C230 Kompressor Sedan. Thank you.

Killa' Benz

Bump

slammer111

Sounds like your fuel pump died. Not a difficult job, but you'll need a ring tool. The good news is the pump is accessed through the back seat, on the R side. There's a hatch.

How many km on your car?

Your starter is probably not far behind either. There's also a DIY for that one in the sticky.

Killa' Benz

Hey thanks so much slammer. So I actually have 3 codes all pointing at the throttle body (potentiomenter, PWM, etc.)

So I'm assuming I must have damaged it when I cleaned it.

I have 137,000 miles.

slammer111

It's possible, but I should mention that you're in the mileage range where the fuel pump and starter die (200-250k km).

I would argue that the throttle body is unrelated to this failure. My fuel pump just died one day. Worked fine the day before. Same deal with the starter.

If in doubt, simply replace the throttle body to take it out of the equation. I've never heard of anyone having a throttle body fail, so I'm sure any unit from a wrecker will work if you want to save a few bucks.

Killa' Benz

So I was able to start the car today, and the rpm bounce very high.

I also get an ESP failure, also the pedal doesn't work.

slammer111

Okay so maybe it is indeed a throttle body failure. If there's nothing wrong with the connector, the next thing I would try is to dry out the electronics if you drenched the thing in cleaner.

Beyond that, the effort to repair drastically goes up if you fried something on the PCB. You're looking at a replacement unit.

The TB on these cars generally don't need cleaning. Mine was almost brand new still after some 17 years, other than a thin film on the butterfly that wouldn't come off. There was no buildup at all.

Killa' Benz

Ok I will get a second hand unit and replace.

It's weird that the car starts I thought it was the fuel pump too.

I must have drenched the electronics in carb cleaner, or must have messed the inside motor up.

Thank you for your input

slammer111

At this point it won't hurt to open up the TB. I'd check to see if anything got bent, or if the gear alignment was changed. Maybe something is off by a tooth?

Killa' Benz

Ok I will try to do that. Will update.

Killa' Benz

UPDATE @slammer111

I changed the throttle body for a used one. Cleared the codes.

I started the car and it started for about 5 seconds before detonating, throwing a cloud of smoke from the exhaust, and dying.

Now it wont start again.

slammer111

Oh man.

Not sure what to say. Did you reconnect everything? Almost sounds like a sensor was left unplugged.

If all else fails, you’re probably looking at a tow to a mechanic.

I assume the PN of the “new” TB matched the original one?

Any new CEL codes?

Hoping you didn’t literally blow up the engine.

Killa' Benz

Initially, when the engine stalled in the Jack in the box, I had 2 camshaft sensor codes.

Yes, same part number for the throttle body.

These are the codes I have currently.

Killa' Benz

UPDATE:
So the mechanic came and did a compression test and said it was a healthy engine.

Now he says he needs to replace the timing chain.

I have two camshaft codes P0341 and P0366

slammer111

Let us know how it goes. The timing chain requires some specialized tools. Good luck.

Killa' Benz

Hey slammer, thanks for your help. Do you think I'm on the right track here? Anything else I should look for? Like bent valves?

slammer111

It's possible if the chain jumped teeth. Any sign this happened though?

Killa' Benz

UPDATE: Took car to indy, they opened engine and saw that timing is correct. He is saying the ECU needs to be replaced.

I'm at wits end.

C230 Sport Coup

Idiot mechanics.
Replace the ECU?
Just for sheets and giggles, disconnect the MAF and see if anything changes.
Also check for vaccum leaks.
Personally I thought perhaps
it was CPS. Crankshaft position sensor. PIA and it doesn't create codes.
Car won't start if it fails. Costs about 50 bucks, usually on the back of the engine near the flywheel.
Hard to reach.
Fuel pump is easy to know, just check the pressure.
Oriely and Autozone will loan them for free, well you gotta pay and then
return for full refund. OR you can buy one from Harbor freight for $20 bucks.

Killa' Benz

Hey thanks for your reply. It has good fuel pressure we checked, also good compression.

Codes are P0340 and P0365. We replaced camshaft sensors to no avail.

Only thing left is CPS. Otherwise, I'm getting rid of this nightmare.

C230 Sport Coup

LOL mine died at the drive through at Burger King, wouldn't turn over.
I was pretty sure I needed a starter has been making noises for a while,
and yeah, it finally gave up at the drive through window.
Took me a few months to get it turned around, back on the road again!