rmdsolutions

Hello all my first post.I have a 2001 ML 430 and recently it has developed a problem it has now happened 4 times. While driving but not at speeds the car will just up and die a couple of times while sitting at a signal another time at low speed in a drive thru and then coming out of work wouldn't start. Once it dies you have to wait anywhere from 3-5 minutes before it will start again which is like an eternity at a busy signal when you try to start it again the starter will just keep going until you turn it back off but after waiting it will just fire up like nothing ever happened.I talked to couple of mechanics one of them put the scope on but no codes and did not know what was wrong the other one says it is a crankshaft positioning sensor the car has a warranty but he said will not cover because it is not a positive diagnosis. Can anyone help me please as this is a very dangerous problem and I don't just want to start replacing sensors at couple hundred dollars a pop if that is not the problem.Thanks Charles

sosh

Sounds to me like a CPS as they do not throw a code. There are several other items that could cause it but they would throw a code. Why not have it correctly diagnosed at an MB dealer with the Star system. This is the only way you will find out and get it fixed.

azinn

Ditto ^^^

C43AMG

^^^^^ + 1

boltonblue

If I remember correctly from when my crank sensor died it didn't code.
it will crank till the cows come home but not fire. after a while it may start.
the crank position sensor tells the engine computer where it is in the cycle and EVERYTHING is tied off of that event. no CPS no nothing.

youaintkidding

i want to thank everyone that posted info on this forum because thanks to that i saved myself a lot of money and time. my 1999 clk320 was dying more often, like others said. starts, goes 10 minutes, dies, starts after one hour, goes 5 minutes, dies, repeat. very frustrating. i read all the posts, realized that it was probably the crankshaft positioning sensor, ordered it online from a company in the u.s. (i am in mississauga, canada) and it cost me less than 50 bucks plus shipping, so about 73.00 cdn dollars. got it in 4 days by USPS and took me 20 minutes to install it, following the information provided in the forums (very helpful with pictures) i bought an E8 torx female socket, with a socket wrench extension that was bendable (very important) and changed it out in 20 minutes and WOW, no more troubles. very happy!!! so thank you again for all the posts to do with it on this site. Just make sure you order the right CPS because for some vehicles there are two different ones, went by the engine model number for my benz.
happy owner

ohlord

The tip on ordering is to look at the cps that is in the car and see how many 1 or 2 clip on lock for the harness some places don't do vins

Makes you feel good when you do the diagnosis and repair and it works

Now change your transmission fluid and filter it is past due

Kurths

Have a look at, or replace the main relay(s) in the fuse box. I was suprised to find out just how junkie these are. And at $20 for an abs pump relay at the dealer??? That must be a .75 cent part to begin with.

Racerx18691

is it possible that it is the mass air flow sensor? I had the same problem with my 2001 ML 430 and replaced the CPS but I still get a check engine light and PO codes 170 and 173. I do not know what those are but had the same problem.

fkong777

hot "not" start is usually a CPS issue.
cps & MAF problems should throw a code.

I would do the following.
CPS - should only cost $250 to replace with labor
MAF - $200 part DIY replacment. easy.
Throttle body - $500.
$350 part sand $150 labor
TB issue will make bad idle and stall the car.

I had to change my TB.

ohlord

0170 0173 is the maf. Although that alone won't cause the stall hot start issue like the op.
If you can change a maf $145 at autohausaz.com you can change a crank position sensor about 60 bucks and almost as easy a diy.