'99 ML430 Stalls out won't start - no clue what to do
 

hey guys,

I have a '99 ML430 that stalls out after about 10-15 minutes of idling or driving and then will NOT restart for at least 20-30 minutes. when trying to restart, the motor cranks but it sounds like no fuel/spark is being delivered since it will not start up. I know the pump is good, I changed it myself. Is there a fuel pump relay that I should try and locate to see if that's toast?

the truck has been sitting in my garage for the past 3 months and I've replaced the following with new parts myself:

Fuel Pump
fuel pump update kit from my NJ dealer
Fuel Filter
MAF
Air filter
I even bought a new key from the US to try it, same thing.

I'm in Africa so going to the dealer is NOT a great option here.

somebody help me out here, I'm going nuts trying to figure it out. :hammer:

I appreciate anyone's help!

-Ron

Re: '99 ML430 Stalls out won't start - no clue what to do
 

Could have been a bad fuel pump that u installed. Or your new key isnt working correctly.

hmmm, good point.

I have 3 keys so that's can't be it. anyway I can test the new fuel pump?

or even check the old pump? I pulled the pump cause my dealer (in Jersey) told me it was recalled and I should change it anyways but I'm been hitting brick walls everywhere with this truck and since I'm on my own with it, it's very frustrating. :wall:

-Ron

i completely agree with AlBoston, sounds like it has to be the fuel pump.

alright - I still have the old fuel pump and since the symptoms have NOT changed, I'm gonna play with the old one and see if I can get it to start dry with a 12v input.

any input from the ML God? I was hoping this problem was more common so I could directly identify the source and just remove/replace the defective part but it seems more like a witch hunt in replacing parts that may have not been faulty.

Is it possible for ignition coils to provide the same symptoms as this?

-Ron

edit: I picked up a Crank Position Sensor as this was also a recalled item, could a faulty CPS do this?

A CPS may cause that, i recall UncAL have a similar problem, let me do some digging and see what his solution was.

Re: '99 ML430 Stalls out won't start - no clue what to do
 

I agree - its the fuel pump. It is overheating. When it cools off, it works. Same thing happened to me. I had the fuel pump/sending unit replaced by a dealer - 3 months later it failed again. Had it replaced by a better dealer - no problems since.

Here is P/Ns and technical info.

Good Luck!

Re: Re: '99 ML430 Stalls out won't start - no clue what to do
 

Yes! I knew it. Thanks UncAl :D

gentlemen,

thank you for that excellent write up, I'm going to see if I can try that today. I'll report my luck or misfortune afterwards. :)

-Ron

well.....got to the pump from the inside of the truck - no problems there. ran the truck for about 60 seconds and it was pumping fuel without a problem. crimped a line to anger it a little and yup, fuel running pretty strong in those lines.

shut the truck off with the key (I didn't wait for it to stall out) - immediatly tried to restart and the sickness has returned - crank with no start. now we all know that even with a little bit of gas in the lines, the truck will run or at least catch for a second or two then it will sputter and shut off. this truck didn't even bother with any of that. it's as if the fuel injectors aren't spraying or there is no spark. http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ilies/help.gif

Good point, take the spark plugs out and clean them they could be wet...

have coil packs on these cars ever been a problem? Is it safe to test the voltage on these as well?

Also, is there a fuel system relay that I can get to? My old 126 500 SEL had a fuel system relay go out on me and a quick smack to it fixed it up enough to get me home.

-Ron

Yes, its in the fuse box in the engine compartment. Check your Owners Manual for location.

hmmm, I dug into that before (infront of the DME & ESP) and all I found where light relays. perhaps I over looked it.

I'll have to look again when it's light out.

thanks!

-Ron

well, replaced the Fuel Pump Relay

checked the fuel line to the motor and it's pumping gas (only on the first run).

I keep digging and I think it's an electrical issue since the fuel pump is not getting juice when I try and restart the car.

Any Ideas?