Notices
Mercedes Tech Talk Discuss general technical questions and issues about your Mercedes-Benz. Moderated by a certified MB Tech.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Educated Guess?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 15, 2007 | 03:07 PM
  #1  
FiftySquid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Educated Guess? [Update: Phantom Codes!]

I'm sure that you guys get really vague troubleshooting questions all the time. Let's turn it into a game!

I don't think I have nearly enough information for anyone to actually solve this mystery but it's in the shop and they'll let me know in a few hours.

Specs:
2003 E500 Sport
36K miles
No after-market anything and no major problems - ever.

Symptoms:
While driving I suddenly lose power. The accelerator does nothing - even when pressed all the way to the floor. After "rebooting" the car (shutting it off for 10 seconds and starting it up again) it runs fine.

The first time it happened after three minutes of driving. The second and third times it happened after 10 minutes of driving. All three instances happened after taking off normally from a dead stop (i.e. I was driving and stopped at a stop sign). when it happens I start accelerating normally for about 30 feet and then the accelerator cuts out.

The check engine light only came on after the third instance and I went straight to the dealership.

Let's see who can guess closest to the mark! First prize is... bragging rights, I guess.

Edit:
I know nothing about cars so I'm going with... fuel pump?

Last edited by FiftySquid; Mar 15, 2007 at 06:52 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2007 | 03:40 PM
  #2  
Racin_fool's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
I would guess the front Sam or the EIS.. Doesn't sound like a Crankshaft position sensor because usually when those fail you wouldn't be able to start the car again for like 20 minutes.
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2007 | 06:51 PM
  #3  
FiftySquid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Okay this is odd. I heard from the tech and he said there were two codes:
Trasmission Control System (I think)
and
Accelerator Position Sensor.

Okay so what needs to be replaced? He says nothing! He says it's fine and they couldn't find anything wrong. Everything checks out!

How is this possible?
Reply
Old Mar 15, 2007 | 07:01 PM
  #4  
Racin_fool's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
replace the accelerator pedal. It has two potentiometers in it and it sounds like one went out.

It's not the first one I have seen go bad. Most of the time this happens on W220 cars though.

Also, about the TCU code, there may be something wrong inside the transmission control module. The check engine light will come on if it has a fault code in the transmission control module.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2007 | 06:52 PM
  #5  
FiftySquid's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Yep - it happened again and I took it in again. They want to replace the Accelerator Pedal Sensor and quoted me $533 (installed). Does that sound right?
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2007 | 07:45 PM
  #6  
whoover's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 378
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Originally Posted by FiftySquid
Yep - it happened again and I took it in again. They want to replace the Accelerator Pedal Sensor and quoted me $533 (installed). Does that sound right?
Where do you live? In CA, MA, ME or VT it's covered by the extended emission control warranty for 7 years / 70K miles. I had mine done under extended warranty (on a 220) but assumed it was a cheaper repair. Installation is just a few minutes. Clearing the codes is the longest part. Did they charge you to diagnose that nothing was wrong?
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2007 | 07:49 PM
  #7  
whoover's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 378
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Originally Posted by Racin_fool
replace the accelerator pedal. It has two potentiometers in it and it sounds like one went out.

It's not the first one I have seen go bad. Most of the time this happens on W220 cars though.

Also, about the TCU code, there may be something wrong inside the transmission control module. The check engine light will come on if it has a fault code in the transmission control module.
The TCU code is probably a phantom. It will throw an "implausible speed" code if it's getting inconsistent signals for MPH, RPM and throttle. For instance, when floored the transmission is told "it's floored -- downshift dammit" but the engine is idling. The failure rate of the pedal sensors is outrageous.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2007 | 02:15 PM
  #8  
Racin_fool's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
Originally Posted by FiftySquid
Yep - it happened again and I took it in again. They want to replace the Accelerator Pedal Sensor and quoted me $533 (installed). Does that sound right?
takes 10 minutes and only 3 tools..

need a 10mm or 13mm socket and ratchet and a small screwdriver.

take out the floormat, get a flashlight if needed. there will be a small black cap behind the pedal, pry it off. Use the socket and ratchet to unbolt the pedal assembly. Next unplug it and plug in the new assembly and bolt it back down. Thats it..
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:49 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE