dangerous power drop-off
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: california
2002 c230k
dangerous power drop-off
While on a road trip two weeks ago, driving my 2002 c230k on Interstate 70 over the Colorado Rockies at almost 12000 feet, the car died - all warning lights came on - no power - and I coasted to the shoulder...where I sat for five minutes trying to restart the engine.
It finally started and I continued on my journey.
The power momentarily dropped off several times during the next two days at lower altitudes, but resumed by itself.
This is an extremely dangerous situation when driving at 65 mph! What should I tell my service advisor? My car was in for this power drop-off problem six months ago, they found nothing and could tell me nothing other than to not use the automatic-on latch on the gas pump nozzle when fueling the vehicle.
Daimler-Benz is damn lucky I didn't have an accident.
It finally started and I continued on my journey.
The power momentarily dropped off several times during the next two days at lower altitudes, but resumed by itself.
This is an extremely dangerous situation when driving at 65 mph! What should I tell my service advisor? My car was in for this power drop-off problem six months ago, they found nothing and could tell me nothing other than to not use the automatic-on latch on the gas pump nozzle when fueling the vehicle.
Daimler-Benz is damn lucky I didn't have an accident.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Yes you were lucky.
Could you steer when everything shut off? Where you low on gas?
I would call 1-800-FOR MERC and talk to headquarters re this catastrophic shut-off event.
Could you steer when everything shut off? Where you low on gas?
I would call 1-800-FOR MERC and talk to headquarters re this catastrophic shut-off event.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 355
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From: New Castle, IN
C230Kompressor
tmc,
Check out the 'Dead Gas Pedal' sticky over on csportcoupe.com. There are about half a dozen of us having the same or similar problems. Still haven't found mine yet, but the ones who have, it has been either a faulty vehichle speed sensor (mild cases-reduction in power), or a problem with the fuel pump not drawing current evenly (total shut down). Yours sounds like exactly what kineda had-total shut down. You might PM kineda, get his VIN, and have your shop look it up and see exactly what his fix was. Good luck-I know it's scarey as hell!
Check out the 'Dead Gas Pedal' sticky over on csportcoupe.com. There are about half a dozen of us having the same or similar problems. Still haven't found mine yet, but the ones who have, it has been either a faulty vehichle speed sensor (mild cases-reduction in power), or a problem with the fuel pump not drawing current evenly (total shut down). Yours sounds like exactly what kineda had-total shut down. You might PM kineda, get his VIN, and have your shop look it up and see exactly what his fix was. Good luck-I know it's scarey as hell!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9
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From: california
2002 c230k
Was able to steer off to the shoulder with no problem.
Had fueled in Cheyenne, Wyoming - had between 1/2 and 3/4 of a tank.
Thanks for the other notes about similar problems. I'll look into them.
Had fueled in Cheyenne, Wyoming - had between 1/2 and 3/4 of a tank.
Thanks for the other notes about similar problems. I'll look into them.
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From: San Antonio, Texas
2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35i M Sport
Could be vapor lock, this happened to my dad at high elevations once in our old minivan. It sounds like the same thing he went through in New Mexico not too long ago.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,065
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From: Florida
2002 CLK 55 AMG Coupe ;)
Originally posted by tmc1949
Was able to steer off to the shoulder with no problem.
Had fueled in Cheyenne, Wyoming - had between 1/2 and 3/4 of a tank.
Thanks for the other notes about similar problems. I'll look into them.
Was able to steer off to the shoulder with no problem.
Had fueled in Cheyenne, Wyoming - had between 1/2 and 3/4 of a tank.
Thanks for the other notes about similar problems. I'll look into them.
That could be deadly under ANY driving condition.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: california
2002 c230k
I too thought it might have to do with altitude. In 1978 I took a road trip in a Dodge van, stayed overnight (summer) in Vail, and next morning van had problem starting.
Two years ago I took the same route in a rental car - a Chevy sedan - and no problem.
I remember this time, after trying for several minutes to start the engine, I got out and opened and re-closed the fuel cap - not knowing what else to do. Sometime after that it started.
The intermittent power drop-offs, though, continued the next day at lower altitude, but not the total engine flame-out.
Steering as I recall was no problem, however there was no traffic between my car and the shoulder. I don't know how it would have handled otherwise. And braking was no problem either.
There was no indication either that the engine was failing - no stuttering - just quit and all the warning lights came on.
Two years ago I took the same route in a rental car - a Chevy sedan - and no problem.
I remember this time, after trying for several minutes to start the engine, I got out and opened and re-closed the fuel cap - not knowing what else to do. Sometime after that it started.
The intermittent power drop-offs, though, continued the next day at lower altitude, but not the total engine flame-out.
Steering as I recall was no problem, however there was no traffic between my car and the shoulder. I don't know how it would have handled otherwise. And braking was no problem either.
There was no indication either that the engine was failing - no stuttering - just quit and all the warning lights came on.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Indiana
1986 560SEL, 97 BMW 740iL
When I moved to IN from CA, I drove on the I-70 up into the Rockies in CO, stayed at Vail for a night and kept driving. I don't know if that is considered high or not, my car did not have any problem in the whole trip. But sounded dangerous all right. Glad that you are okay even with the thing shut off.
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