Hey there,

I have a 2001 ML320, and the past month or so I started having ignition issues. It would seem, that whenever it gets hot out that the engine would have problems starting, and thats the only time's I really ever have an issue with that.
If I were to get into the car, and it would'nt start. I would let it sit for upto 10 minutes, then try it and it would spontaneously work just fine. The check engine light would light up, and stay lit for upto a few hours, even after multiple shutoffs & startups.

Then recently, one night I tried to start it and it wouldnt start. It was about 65 Degrees out, so now I might have a different issue?

Now today, I was driving (luckily in neighborhood streets) and the truck completely stalled, RPM's suddenly dropped to 0 and I lost power steering it was scary. I tried starting it back up, but it wouldnt ignite. This time I had to wait a very long time, after many many tries to start it. And then after going around the neighborhood the same thing happened, it stalled and wouldnt start for a long time.

Now, before you give me your advice I want to let you know that the car was serviced with an "A" service just 400 miles ago.

When trying to start the car, the car would turn (starter works fine/battery isnt dead).

The car has, however just over 130,000 Miles on it. With almost 120K all highway/commute miles. And just recently handed down to me for the last 10k Miles.

Any advice you guys can give will be great, im probably going to drop the car off at my mechanic tomorrow so a quick reply would be greatly appreciated.

I've done my research, and ive come to a hypothesis that it might be my CPS (Crank position sensor?) or a failing/ailing Fuel Pump. My friends are real car nuts, and they took a look at it and heard the situation and told me it also might be a dirty fuel filter?

Thanks in advance everyone.

-William

 

CPS... definitely. I think the A service is unrelated. Pain in the butt to change but doable.

 

+1 ^^^^^^^^^^^ CPS

 

2000 ML320 - that's the signature failure point for the CPS.

Take my advice, get the fuel pump replaced too, if you haven't done so already (and if you plan to keep the vehicle for a while). The fuel pump too is on its way out by now..

Mine came out of the tank with the plastic body cracked in 2 pieces...although, it was working fine...it badly needed to be replaced..

 

common, and if you open the hood, let the car cool, it'll start back up for a bit.