Crank position sensor problem
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Primary symptom is that the car will not start/run when warmed up. Will start/run when its cold until it warms up when it shuts down.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 166
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia Suburbs
2002 C32, 2007 E550 4matic
Sosh described it pretty well. When my sensor went bad in my C32, I pulled out of my garage and parked on the street. Went back out 5 minutes later, and the car wouldn't start. Scanned it, looked up code, and started to call Roadside assitance. While on the phone, I came accross a thread that said the car should start when cool. I went back outside, and the car started like there was no issue at all. The next day I drove it to the shop which is literally 5 minutes away.
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
2020 GLE350
This is the DIY I used when I did mine.
http://pingelblog.blogspot.com/2008/...on-sensor.html
You will need to have a long extension for your bit (#8 torx bit if I recall correctly) and a universal joint. Do not start without them, you will for sure need to run to your nearest tool place to get them.
Also, make sure you do not try an hex (allen) wrench, use a torx bit of the correct size, you really do not want to strip the screw in that location. You will need to fit the bit first, then fit the universal, then fit the extension, then fit your ratchet. These steps will make it a 10 minute job as opposed to a 2 hour job.
Good luck.
http://pingelblog.blogspot.com/2008/...on-sensor.html
You will need to have a long extension for your bit (#8 torx bit if I recall correctly) and a universal joint. Do not start without them, you will for sure need to run to your nearest tool place to get them.
Also, make sure you do not try an hex (allen) wrench, use a torx bit of the correct size, you really do not want to strip the screw in that location. You will need to fit the bit first, then fit the universal, then fit the extension, then fit your ratchet. These steps will make it a 10 minute job as opposed to a 2 hour job.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
E320
Done. Got off work, drove home, got my flashlight, e8 star (torx) driver, 10 inch extension, two coronas, and my buddy to do the work for me while the engine was still hot 
. Man that was some hard work!
definitely a good idea to let the engine cool down first. My friend's arm is all burnt up!
Thanks for all the info and help mbw!
. Man that was some hard work!definitely a good idea to let the engine cool down first. My friend's arm is all burnt up!
Thanks for all the info and help mbw!
Last edited by Dtv211; Jun 3, 2010 at 01:14 AM.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I live in Los Angeles, was driving to Las Vegas. Pulled into the Gas station, turned off the engine, got gas. When I was ready to leave, the car did not start! I put in the key, turn to "on", dash light comes on as normal. But when I turn key to "start" position, I get NOTHING. No click, no nothing. The dash lights stayed on normally as if it was on the "on" position.
After about 30 minutes of panic, I turned the key and the car started. This only happened once... so far. I really need to fix this. I hate not having confidence if the car will start the next time I get in it.
Does this sound like the crank position sensor to you? Are there any other possible reasons?
Any help is very much appreciated!
Thanks!! Phil
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Hi Sosh,
I live in Los Angeles, was driving to Las Vegas. Pulled into the Gas station, turned off the engine, got gas. When I was ready to leave, the car did not start! I put in the key, turn to "on", dash light comes on as normal. But when I turn key to "start" position, I get NOTHING. No click, no nothing. The dash lights stayed on normally as if it was on the "on" position.
After about 30 minutes of panic, I turned the key and the car started. This only happened once... so far. I really need to fix this. I hate not having confidence if the car will start the next time I get in it.
Does this sound like the crank position sensor to you? Are there any other possible reasons?
Any help is very much appreciated!
Thanks!! Phil
I live in Los Angeles, was driving to Las Vegas. Pulled into the Gas station, turned off the engine, got gas. When I was ready to leave, the car did not start! I put in the key, turn to "on", dash light comes on as normal. But when I turn key to "start" position, I get NOTHING. No click, no nothing. The dash lights stayed on normally as if it was on the "on" position.
After about 30 minutes of panic, I turned the key and the car started. This only happened once... so far. I really need to fix this. I hate not having confidence if the car will start the next time I get in it.
Does this sound like the crank position sensor to you? Are there any other possible reasons?
Any help is very much appreciated!
Thanks!! Phil
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2004 E500 Sedan
Position Sensor Died on the way to work
Yeah guys that position sensor kills the car, I had a commute at the time of 30 miles away at mile 27 the car died when I pulled over and waited approximately 15 mins the car started only to stall again after warming up!!!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
1998 E430 Sport and 2003 E500
philipk2003... Two weeks ago my '03 E500 stalled without warning as I was idling through a local parking lot looking for an empty space. Close call, as it was lunch time and someone nearly backed into me as I sat there dumbfounded for a moment. One second the car was idling along, suddenly I realized it killed and the usual dashlights came on.
I quickly stuck the key in (I have keyless-go and wasn't sure if that was the problem), hit the horn, and avoided catastrophe. The car DID start right away, but the starter cranked 2-3x longer than usual before it started. It ran fine, but the 'check engine' came on. I parked and went in for lunch. Came back out, car started/ran/drove just fine, but check engine stayed on. 10 minute drive later, parked at the office, shut the car off, restarted, and check engine disappeared. I took it into the dealer after work even though it ran fine -like you I didn't trust it - what a drag.
Dealer confirmed crank position sensor and replaced it, and not a single problem since. They said it did throw a code for the CPS. Some people seem to have a more serious starting problem, or miss at higher RPM, mine had none of that. The service advisor did say that they see more of these failures when we have hot stretches (it was a mid-90's and very humid week here -- hot for MN). I would suspect the CPS.
I quickly stuck the key in (I have keyless-go and wasn't sure if that was the problem), hit the horn, and avoided catastrophe. The car DID start right away, but the starter cranked 2-3x longer than usual before it started. It ran fine, but the 'check engine' came on. I parked and went in for lunch. Came back out, car started/ran/drove just fine, but check engine stayed on. 10 minute drive later, parked at the office, shut the car off, restarted, and check engine disappeared. I took it into the dealer after work even though it ran fine -like you I didn't trust it - what a drag.
Dealer confirmed crank position sensor and replaced it, and not a single problem since. They said it did throw a code for the CPS. Some people seem to have a more serious starting problem, or miss at higher RPM, mine had none of that. The service advisor did say that they see more of these failures when we have hot stretches (it was a mid-90's and very humid week here -- hot for MN). I would suspect the CPS.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks roomor and sosh!
I'm leaning toward the bad safety switch or starter. My car did not stall while idling or kept on cranking and not start.
I turn the key to start and I get nothing. 30 mins later, it starts fine without any issues. No check engine light of any sort comes on.
Sounds like I have to bring it to a indy shop for a diagnosis.
I'm leaning toward the bad safety switch or starter. My car did not stall while idling or kept on cranking and not start.
I turn the key to start and I get nothing. 30 mins later, it starts fine without any issues. No check engine light of any sort comes on.
Sounds like I have to bring it to a indy shop for a diagnosis.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 806
Likes: 27
From: Rochester, NY
2009 S550 AMG sport pckg. 2014 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrewcab
weird, my car did the same thing but when i put an obd scanner on it said camshaft position sensor... changed the camshaft sensor and no problems ever since. wonder if i really fixed the problem now
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
03 E320 and 06 ML350
i have all these symptoms on my 03 E320 but i also have the check engine light on after it starts again (usually after 10 mins ) that goes away the next day. i can't scan for codes because i don't have a scanner so my question is. can it also be the fuel pump or the check engine just pops up even with a faulty CPS?
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
2020 GLE350
i have all these symptoms on my 03 E320 but i also have the check engine light on after it starts again (usually after 10 mins ) that goes away the next day. i can't scan for codes because i don't have a scanner so my question is. can it also be the fuel pump or the check engine just pops up even with a faulty CPS?
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
03 E320 and 06 ML350
Are you sure? Because a lady that worked over there said
"No repairo kito for el benzo"
I'm sorry that I posted my problem in here, I didn't know It was the sarcasm thread. I was just trying to get some help with the info I have for now. sorry again that you had to read my post plutoe.
Any other help would be much appreciated.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
03 E320 and 06 ML350
That's what it usually does, CEL stays lit for a day max and it goes away by itself I guess. It's every time the same thing. I can't scan the car for the next 2 days because I dnt have one and a friend of mine who does is out of town
