E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Throttle Delay, intermittant

Old Dec 26, 2019 | 12:23 PM
  #1  
Leej's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 171
Likes: 34
From: USA Tennessee
2008 SL550 R230, 2004 E320 W211
Throttle Delay, intermittant

I have a 2004 E320 with 170K miles.

Sometimes when it is cold, it seems to run a little rough; it idles fine, but it seems a little rough at low RPM and the throttle seems odd at low RPMs (until it is warmed up). Recently, with the car in park, I noticed that the throttle response had significant delays, at times (with the car in park and warm engine) I could punch the throttle to floor, and then release it, and the engine would never come off of idle. I could "blip" the throttle, and again no response. Sometimes it seemed like there was a 1 to 2 second delay from the throttle. Driving the car, the throttle seemed a little sluggish, but not as bad as when in park. Then I re-started the car, and the problem seems to be gone???? I have experienced it again, and it seems that this comes and goes? I don't have any CEL or codes?

I have replaced the plugs and wires, air filter is good.

I suspect either the MAF or the throttle/pedal position sensor. I have searched the forums and found some posts on both of these, but I can't definitively tell if either of these is my problem.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to test either the throttle position sensor or the MAF? I guess I could try cleaning the MAF, and see if this gets better, but to be honest, I would assume the MAF would NOT be intermittent and I would assume I would get a CEL or code if the MAF was bad/dirty?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Lee
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2019 | 12:39 PM
  #2  
Matteo Sukic's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 79
Likes: 7
w211 04 e220
Had almost the same problem,only I was overtaking and suddenly car lost all power,no check engine light etc..Restarted car everything seemed fine,until one day black smoke was coming out like crazy,egr valve blocked/dirty.Would suggest to clean maf throttle and egr.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2019 | 02:46 PM
  #3  
Leej's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 171
Likes: 34
From: USA Tennessee
2008 SL550 R230, 2004 E320 W211
I have cleaned the MAF, and there does seem to be some improvement, but I still feel like there is a slight delay on the throttle at times. I will continue to drive it and report back. If anyone knows of a good way to test the throttle position sensor in the pedal or otherwise, let me know. Thanks.

Lee
Reply
Old Jan 14, 2020 | 11:14 PM
  #4  
Leej's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 171
Likes: 34
From: USA Tennessee
2008 SL550 R230, 2004 E320 W211
I still feel a delay in throttle response, although it seemed slightly improved after cleaning the MAF. However, when I quickly "blip" the throttle in neutral, it still hesitates for about a half second or more for the engine to respond. Still no codes. Using Star SDS (I am a novice, or something less than novice), I tested the MAF, and at idle it is just barely within expected specs (can't remember what the spec is, but I think it was mv, temperature was fine), occasionally going out of spec (but just barely). Second test was at RPM >3500, this tested within the expected results. I'm wondering if my MAF is failing, but is barely within spec enough not to throw any faults?

Interestingly, while running the MAF test at >3500 RPM, I noticed that the car wouldn't go over 4200 RPM in neutral. I saw some other Mercedes posts that this was a rev limiter while in neutral? Is this correct?

At this point, I'm pretty sure either my MAF is failing, or the pedal position sensor is failing? I don't like to throw parts at problems without knowing for sure, but at this point I'm probably going to simply put a new MAF in it (about $120 online for Bosch).

Any thoughts or advice?

Lee

Last edited by Leej; Jan 14, 2020 at 11:48 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2021 | 06:27 PM
  #5  
E240W211's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
E240
Hi, I had the same issue I was overtaking and my car went into limp mode and produced the P0101 code.

I done a few checks on the MAF but trying to find info to confirm it is the MAF before I buy the part.

is there a section where someone has done check on the MAF to confirm its dead?

Thanks
Reply

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

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:49 PM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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