98 E-430 Stalling
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Joined: Mar 2005
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1998 E430; 2007 Porsche 911 C4S Cabriolet; 2011 Expedition EL Limited; 2014 E350 Estate
98 E-430 Stalling
Hello all,
I have a 98 E430 that has developed a sudden problem with stalling/not starting. I first noticed it while cruising down a highway at 50 mph and the car suddenly shut down on me. It would not start again despite my insistent attempts (this highway had no shoulder and I was nearly rear ended several times until the police showed up) and I ended up burning out the starter. My car was running at 80-85c (normal operating temps for the car) and I had not noticed anything unusual prior to the stall.
I had the starter rebuilt but the mechanics could not diagnose what caused the stall. First day home from the shop I go to a baseball game, no problems, 3 hours later car starts, no problem, drive 7 miles (car gets up to 80-85c) stop for 5 minutes and the car won't start again. I left it to sit for 4 hours and it started right up for me.
I tested it out by driving it until it reached normal op temps and shutting it off, it will not restart. Let it sit to cool, it will start again. I have been careful to only drive it when I can afford to let it sit for several hours, but it has stalled in the middle of the road on me one more time since. Both stalls were while cruising, not decelerating, not accelerating, just driving, internal engine temp registered as 80-85c. Car will start again once it cools to below 70c.
I have an appointment to put it back into the shop Fri 6/24 but wanted to do some research first to ensure that they fix it the right way this time.
Car is stock, no crashes, only electrical repair in it's lifetime was an alternator replacement 3 years ago and of course the starter rebuild. I am not a mechanic, so please explain in simple terms.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I have a 98 E430 that has developed a sudden problem with stalling/not starting. I first noticed it while cruising down a highway at 50 mph and the car suddenly shut down on me. It would not start again despite my insistent attempts (this highway had no shoulder and I was nearly rear ended several times until the police showed up) and I ended up burning out the starter. My car was running at 80-85c (normal operating temps for the car) and I had not noticed anything unusual prior to the stall.
I had the starter rebuilt but the mechanics could not diagnose what caused the stall. First day home from the shop I go to a baseball game, no problems, 3 hours later car starts, no problem, drive 7 miles (car gets up to 80-85c) stop for 5 minutes and the car won't start again. I left it to sit for 4 hours and it started right up for me.
I tested it out by driving it until it reached normal op temps and shutting it off, it will not restart. Let it sit to cool, it will start again. I have been careful to only drive it when I can afford to let it sit for several hours, but it has stalled in the middle of the road on me one more time since. Both stalls were while cruising, not decelerating, not accelerating, just driving, internal engine temp registered as 80-85c. Car will start again once it cools to below 70c.
I have an appointment to put it back into the shop Fri 6/24 but wanted to do some research first to ensure that they fix it the right way this time.
Car is stock, no crashes, only electrical repair in it's lifetime was an alternator replacement 3 years ago and of course the starter rebuild. I am not a mechanic, so please explain in simple terms.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Last edited by mgraeff; Jun 23, 2005 at 03:31 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
'98 E320 4Matic, '85 380SL
As BlownV8 noted, it's likely that your mass airflow sensor is failing. Another possibility is that your crankshaft position sensor is on its way out. Failure of either one would cause your car to stall / not start. The code readout should tell you (or your mechanic) exactly what's wrong.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,187
Likes: 38
From: Right Behind You
1998 E430; 2007 Porsche 911 C4S Cabriolet; 2011 Expedition EL Limited; 2014 E350 Estate
Update: Mechanics could not replicate the problem by letting the car sit and run for nearly four hours. The car would not stall and it started on demand each time even though it had reached 80c early on in the morning (Guess I will need a new tank of gas tonight, heh?) The computer was reporting no system errors.
They decided to drive the car with the diagnostic equipment hooked up and it nearly immediately stalled out. Trouble was the Crankshaft Position Sensor. It is replaced and working fine. Total damage is $350 (plus the 600+ I spent on rebuilding the starter I burned out).
Thanks for the help!
They decided to drive the car with the diagnostic equipment hooked up and it nearly immediately stalled out. Trouble was the Crankshaft Position Sensor. It is replaced and working fine. Total damage is $350 (plus the 600+ I spent on rebuilding the starter I burned out).
Thanks for the help!
