E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

2002 e320 starting problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Nov 17, 2014 | 03:54 PM
  #1  
j d0g's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
2002 E320 4MATIC
2002 e320 starting problems

i have a 2002 e320 4matic. one day i got in to start the car and it would not crank over at all. this is the first time it had happened, i had to leave the car at the gas station overnight. i returned early the next day and it still wouldnt crank over. so i had planned to get it towed, i came back again late evening and it just started up randomly like nothing was ever wrong with it. so i drove for a day then parked in for a little while and then it wouldnt start again. its been doing this for a couple of days now. i do have a scanner that can get into every ecu, i found some codes in the transmission ECU, some said fault ecu and a communcation error with another ecu, but i cleared all the codes and got the car to start again but none of the codes came back. right now the car is starting fine, but i know that soon its not going to. i was wondering if anyone could help pin point this problem or what to check first. also wondering if the transmission computer would have anything to do with it not starting, before it did have oil in it but i cleaned it out and that was probably 6 months ago.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2014 | 11:02 PM
  #2  
RichardM98's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
Hard to say but one possibility is the CPS (Crankshaft Position Sensor). It's at the back of the engine by the flywheel. As it starts to fail, the car will start if cold but not when hot.
Reply
Old Nov 17, 2014 | 11:40 PM
  #3  
j d0g's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
2002 E320 4MATIC
yeah that seems right, when the car was warmed up it didnt want to start, there was like a hissing/click when i was trying to start the car. ill drive it around and warm it up and test to see if it will start when it warms up. do you know of a way to test if the crankshaft is fault?
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2014 | 08:10 AM
  #4  
RichardM98's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 19
From: SoCal
98 Brilliant Silver E320 Wagon
I think the dealer can tell if it is failing at the moment but maybe not if it is working. Intermittent problems are generally the hardest to diagnose. It's a pretty common repair on W210's. Many owners replace it themselves but you need a torx socket. Part is about ~$50.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2014 | 12:58 PM
  #5  
003stars's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
E320
It's better to see regardless of your thought "Oil cleaning device"

Hi, bottom site showing something better than something? If you could use them.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...766064281.html

Won't last, just couple of days and good luck to you. 003Stars
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2014 | 05:16 PM
  #6  
j d0g's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
2002 E320 4MATIC
I talked to my dad who is and mechanic and my friends dad who is also a mechanic and they said to rule out the crankshaft position sensor, because even it was failing or failed the car would still be able to crank it just wouldn't start. but what I forgot to mention earlier is that my fuel pump is leaking but they said it shouldn't have anything to do with the cars starter not being able to crank. but who knows with these Mercedes. I guess what to check next is the connections going to starter see if its corroded or something?
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2015 | 07:43 PM
  #7  
hambone97's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
E320 2002
What worked for me

Car would only start on second try for a week. Went to dealer and they replaced the CPS . They rolled it out to me and I shut it off to show them something and went to crank again and it then only started on the second try. Took it home and went to YouTube and searched 'mercedes hard to start' and the answer was there. I went to the fuse box in engine compartment and pulled each fuse one at a time and cleaned the fuse blades with a cardboard nail file the women use. After finishing that, went to start it and it started on first try. Oxidation and corrosion in any electrical plug-in, relay, fuse, harness, etc. is going to interrupt the normal operations. Hitting potholes are jarring some of these oxidized connection and you get intermittents or failures of some operation. So get to cleaning first before the dealer does it for you for his price.
Reply

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


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


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:47 PM.

story-0
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-3
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-4
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-5
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke

Slideshow: The 2027 update adds a fully digital steering system, revised styling, and potential charging upgrades as the company looks to revive interest in the luxury EV.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-04 10:24:38


VIEW MORE