Intermittent Engine and Electrical Shutdown
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1
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From: Tampa FL
2007 E350 4matic Wagon
Intermittent Engine and Electrical Shutdown
I have a 2007 E350 4matic wagon. Periodically, when driving the car will completely turn off, the engine shuts down and the instrument panel goes dark. The car can be immediately restarted and drives fine until the next incident which could be days or even weeks later. The car has another quirk which may, or may not, be related. When starting the car, if the key is immediately turned to the start position (Position 3 in the Operator’s Manual), the starter will typically not engage. I have found that if the key is first turned to Position 2 and the dashboard lights are all allowed to come up ( I usually wait for the fuel gauge to reach its current level) and then turned to start, the starter will engage 99.9% of the time. Has anyone else had these or similar issues? I am wondering if there may be an electrical contact problem within the ignition switch.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 12,232
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
TEST before replacing good parts 👍
I have a 2007 E350 4matic wagon. Periodically, when driving the car will completely turn off, the engine shuts down and the instrument panel goes dark. The car can be immediately restarted and drives fine until the next incident which could be days or even weeks later. The car has another quirk which may, or may not, be related. When starting the car, if the key is immediately turned to the start position (Position 3 in the Operator’s Manual), the starter will typically not engage.
I have found that if the key is first turned to Position 2 and the dashboard lights are all allowed to come up ( I usually wait for the fuel gauge to reach its current level) and then turned to start, the starter will engage 99.9% of the time. Has anyone else had these or similar issues?
I am wondering if there may be an electrical contact problem within the ignition switch.
I have found that if the key is first turned to Position 2 and the dashboard lights are all allowed to come up ( I usually wait for the fuel gauge to reach its current level) and then turned to start, the starter will engage 99.9% of the time. Has anyone else had these or similar issues?
I am wondering if there may be an electrical contact problem within the ignition switch.
If it was me... I would:
- Test battery CCA health or Mfg date code
- Scan the car OBD2 port for DTC faults
- Test alternator voltage output under high load
Stop driving this car on public roads until you get it reliably fixed!
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Apr 5, 2022 at 08:20 PM.
