Intermittent No Throttle and Doesn't Crank
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 3
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2004 E320
Intermittent No Throttle and Doesn't Crank
The shop recommended replacing the ecm due to corrosion. They were up front that there's no guarantee this would solve the problem. They also ruled out the relays, fuzes, and fuel pump. I've done some poking around on the web and have not come across any threads that link both of these symptoms together. I don't really feel like spending $$$$ replacing components and so I just wanted to know if there are any other possible explanations for these two conditions. The shop did mention that holding the key in a certain position seemed to help, but didn't seem to think that the ignition switch was faulty. Not sure why.
The car lost all throttle response (drive by wire) on the highway after about 7 hours of driving. My wife pulled it over, shut if off and then was unable to get it to crank. Voltage is fine. She then had it towed to the shop. The tow truck driver was then able to start it and drive it off the ramp and park it. The shop also confirmed intermittent starting.
I bought the car from friends who had it totalled due to a battery drain issue, which I suspect is from the p/s power seat. So far, I'm about $2,000 into this investment including purchase price, new batteries, alternator, & TTL. While I contemplate my next steps, I decided to put it up for sale for $4,000, to see if there is any interest at that price.
Thanks in advance for any possible leads. I must say, I love the engine bay layout and the fact that I can actually replace the alternator. On our A6, you had to remove the whole front bumper!
BTW, this is a 2004 E320 wagon w/ 99K miles.
The car lost all throttle response (drive by wire) on the highway after about 7 hours of driving. My wife pulled it over, shut if off and then was unable to get it to crank. Voltage is fine. She then had it towed to the shop. The tow truck driver was then able to start it and drive it off the ramp and park it. The shop also confirmed intermittent starting.
I bought the car from friends who had it totalled due to a battery drain issue, which I suspect is from the p/s power seat. So far, I'm about $2,000 into this investment including purchase price, new batteries, alternator, & TTL. While I contemplate my next steps, I decided to put it up for sale for $4,000, to see if there is any interest at that price.
Thanks in advance for any possible leads. I must say, I love the engine bay layout and the fact that I can actually replace the alternator. On our A6, you had to remove the whole front bumper!
BTW, this is a 2004 E320 wagon w/ 99K miles.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 3
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2004 E320
No codes. I haven't replaced any electrical components yet.
I don't know much about W211's but it's hard to imagine what could possibly affect both the starting circuit and the throttle body. The one thing they have in common (I think) is the ECM but maybe it's getting a bad signal from somewhere?
I don't know much about W211's but it's hard to imagine what could possibly affect both the starting circuit and the throttle body. The one thing they have in common (I think) is the ECM but maybe it's getting a bad signal from somewhere?
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Joined: May 2021
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From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
The best advice on these cars is to get the codes and then proceed. Guessing is a very expensive route to fix these computers on wheels.
Once I was told at the stealership I needed an ignition switch ($$$), and the Indie resolved the issue with a new pedal assembly ($).
Forgot to mention, MB switches to home mode (also called limp mode) whenever the system detects something is not correct. In home mode, the throttle does not respond, and you shift gears either. In some cases, if you turn the car off, wait a few minutes and it works again until the next "event of home mode".
Once I was told at the stealership I needed an ignition switch ($$$), and the Indie resolved the issue with a new pedal assembly ($).
Forgot to mention, MB switches to home mode (also called limp mode) whenever the system detects something is not correct. In home mode, the throttle does not respond, and you shift gears either. In some cases, if you turn the car off, wait a few minutes and it works again until the next "event of home mode".
Last edited by JCM_MB; Jun 13, 2022 at 10:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 3
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2004 E320
The car lost all throttle response which tells me it's something more. In limp home mode, you're still able to 'limp home' but with reduced performance.
I was just at the shop to pick it up and it won't even idle now. They were unable to even communicate with the ECM to pull codes. I think that's why they think I should replace it, which obviously I'm not willing to do. I just have a hard time believing the ecm could fail so suddenly. There must be a simpler explanation.
Now I have to figure out how to get the car home. It's at a shop 30 miles from home and they want it gone by tomorrow.
I was just at the shop to pick it up and it won't even idle now. They were unable to even communicate with the ECM to pull codes. I think that's why they think I should replace it, which obviously I'm not willing to do. I just have a hard time believing the ecm could fail so suddenly. There must be a simpler explanation.
Now I have to figure out how to get the car home. It's at a shop 30 miles from home and they want it gone by tomorrow.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 2,041
From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
The car lost all throttle response which tells me it's something more. In limp home mode, you're still able to 'limp home' but with reduced performance.
I was just at the shop to pick it up and it won't even idle now. They were unable to even communicate with the ECM to pull codes. I think that's why they think I should replace it, which obviously I'm not willing to do. I just have a hard time believing the ecm could fail so suddenly. There must be a simpler explanation.
Now I have to figure out how to get the car home. It's at a shop 30 miles from home and they want it gone by tomorrow.
I was just at the shop to pick it up and it won't even idle now. They were unable to even communicate with the ECM to pull codes. I think that's why they think I should replace it, which obviously I'm not willing to do. I just have a hard time believing the ecm could fail so suddenly. There must be a simpler explanation.
Now I have to figure out how to get the car home. It's at a shop 30 miles from home and they want it gone by tomorrow.
