95 S420 stalls after warming up.

Subscribe
Sep 22, 2025 | 05:11 PM
  #1  
Has anyone experienced this symptom? See other threads by this ID in the Forums > Mercedes-Benz Sedans > S-Class (W140) for full version of what is going on.

Basically once the car warms up to operating temperature it stalls and is hard to restart. Works fine from cold. New radiator cap, thermostat and rad flushed has already been applied. Check engine light was already on. There is a connection stuck open that prevents use of a code reader. This was already a problem prior to over heating / hose fitting failure adventure.

Just looking for potential sources. Gasket failure already on the table as a possible cause.

Reply here or in original thread.
Reply 0
Sep 22, 2025 | 05:41 PM
  #2  
STALLS... LOW PRESSURE
Quote: Has anyone experienced this symptom? See other threads by this ID in the Forums > Mercedes-Benz Sedans > S-Class (W140) for full version of what is going on.

Basically once the car warms up to operating temperature it stalls and is hard to restart. Works fine from cold. New radiator cap, thermostat and rad flushed has already been applied. Check engine light was already on. There is a connection stuck open that prevents use of a code reader. This was already a problem prior to over heating / hose fitting failure adventure.

Just looking for potential sources. Gasket failure already on the table as a possible cause.

Reply here or in original thread.
99% chance this is caused by low fuel pressure.

BTW. lean mixture is exactly known to cause high heat... the root of your head gasket failure.

Reply 0
Sep 22, 2025 | 05:53 PM
  #3  
Never considered that.

Could the fuel pump need replacing?
Maybe a fuel additive would address the problem? Guess I could try this (probably needs a cleaning anyway).

The car had been sitting. I resurrected it and put 5K kilometers without a problem then just kind of blew a hose on my regular daily commute.
Reply 0
Sep 22, 2025 | 06:28 PM
  #4  
Quote: Never considered that.

Could the fuel pump need replacing?
Maybe a fuel additive would address the problem? Guess I could try this (probably needs a cleaning anyway).

The car had been sitting. I resurrected it and put 5K kilometers without a problem then just kind of blew a hose on my regular daily commute.
This being a Mercedes.... issues can share more than one cause.

You will want to measure fuel pressure before considering parts.

Pressure regulator may be integrated or not...
Connections may be oxidized...
pump may be marginal
filter may be blocked off

Reply 0
Sep 22, 2025 | 08:30 PM
  #5  
Thanks CBD

Will talk to my neighbor about these possibilities. He is a retired mechanic who collects old cars as well. Might be as simple as a clogged filter. Will see if he has a way to measure fuel pressure.

Won't be surprised if it is multiple problems.
Reply 0
Sep 23, 2025 | 09:51 AM
  #6  
troubleshooting steps
Quote: Thanks CBD

Will talk to my neighbor about these possibilities. He is a retired mechanic who collects old cars as well. Might be as simple as a clogged filter. Will see if he has a way to measure fuel pressure.

Won't be surprised if it is multiple problems.
Yes, exactly!

Chances are it is a combination of issues centered around fuel delivery.

Once low fuel pressure is validated, research what is causing it ( pump, filter, regulator, low voltage, ...)
Reply 0
Sep 24, 2025 | 01:21 PM
  #7  
Quote: Has anyone experienced this symptom? See other threads by this ID in the Forums > Mercedes-Benz Sedans > S-Class (W140) for full version of what is going on.

Basically once the car warms up to operating temperature it stalls and is hard to restart. Works fine from cold. New radiator cap, thermostat and rad flushed has already been applied. Check engine light was already on. There is a connection stuck open that prevents use of a code reader. This was already a problem prior to over heating / hose fitting failure adventure.

Just looking for potential sources. Gasket failure already on the table as a possible cause.

Reply here or in original thread.
A failing crankshaft position sensor is the most common cause for a W140 to stall when hot. It's a known issue. Try replacing that first before considering a major repair like a head gasket.
Reply 1
Sep 26, 2025 | 06:24 PM
  #8  
Failed Crankshaft Position Sensor
There seem to be a variety of them.

This is a reasonably priced part. How complicated it is to replace?

Will add it to my potential list of causes when I contact the garage.

Right now the candidates are:

Failed head gasket.
Low Fuel pressure.
Failed Crankshaft Position Sensor

Thanks for your input.


Reply 0

MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

Explore
story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Sep 26, 2025 | 08:08 PM
  #9  
Could a failing crankshaft position sensor have been the cause of the initial overheating/failed coolant connector?

Long story is in the W140 forum but basically the car overheated/blew a coolant part within 20 minutes of it starting one day (running at highway speed/RPM). Had worked without any temperature issues for the first 5,000 kilometers I drove it. Is very low kilometers for age (<150K) but had been sitting. Didn't do anything to engine other than change oil.

Reply 0
Sep 26, 2025 | 08:32 PM
  #10  
Couple Useful Pointers
Quote: Could a failing crankshaft position sensor have been the cause of the initial overheating/failed coolant connector?

Long story is in the W140 forum but basically the car overheated/blew a coolant part within 20 minutes of it starting one day (running at highway speed/RPM). Had worked without any temperature issues for the first 5,000 kilometers I drove it. Is very low kilometers for age (<150K) but had been sitting. Didn't do anything to engine other than change oil.
VIP Crank sensor would set a hard FAULT CODE and shut off suddenly unlike weak fuel pressure...
Try to prioritize diagnosis over swapping lucky parts and diagnosing afterwards.


Consider getting your old THERMOSTAT replaced and the radiator hot-side hose.
This will help renew most of the coolant mix.
Keep a close watch on engine temperature while this is known issue.

> Loose belt over bad water pump can help prevent proper coolant flow.


> MAYO... TERMINAL FAILURE :
During extreme pressure events, Mercedes engines can mix coolant and engine oil through heat exchanger timing covers seals to relief pressure.

Pay close attention to oil + coolant not creating a MAYO mix.

Reply 0
Sep 27, 2025 | 03:56 PM
  #11  
Thermostat replacement was done after initial blown hose. Coolant flow seems normal (running with the cap off shows circulation). No sign of oil in coolant or coolant in oil.

My mechanic indicated that the coolant was circulating properly.

A user in the other thread speculated it may be a Mass Air Flow sensor problem. These are very expensive where as the crankshaft position sensor is relatively cheap. How difficult is it to replace a crankshaft position sensor? I understand your point about just swapping parts. I have limited diagnostic abilities. I bought a code reader (pulse counter) over the internet but the lights are stuck on (a circuit fault in the system) and it will not flash codes. Have found a specialty garage in the city that I am thinking of flat bedding the car to for professional repair.
Reply 0
Sep 27, 2025 | 04:32 PM
  #12  
Mercedes 38-pin Connector
Quote: Thermostat replacement was done after initial blown hose. Coolant flow seems normal (running with the cap off shows circulation). No sign of oil in coolant or coolant in oil.

My mechanic indicated that the coolant was circulating properly.

A user in the other thread speculated it may be a Mass Air Flow sensor problem. These are very expensive where as the crankshaft position sensor is relatively cheap. How difficult is it to replace a crankshaft position sensor? I understand your point about just swapping parts. I have limited diagnostic abilities. I bought a code reader (pulse counter) over the internet but the lights are stuck on (a circuit fault in the system) and it will not flash codes. Have found a specialty garage in the city that I am thinking of flat bedding the car to for professional repair.
Thats all good report... going forward then

You need a Mercedes specialist not any generic shop. They will have the MB specific tool to read your chassis and understand what to do instead of swapping the most expensive parts.

Your '95 car is not OBDII compliant, it requires MB 38-pins access tool.

Troubleshooting computers is not a parts lotery. Absolutely zero need to guess when the ECU is already measuring everything.

A great many parts can cause your stalling yet only one is causing this.
ECU data will help sort things out: money well spent!

Reply 0
Oct 31, 2025 | 12:20 PM
  #13  
i had same problem and changed a bunch of parts but figured mines out and it should have been the first thing i checked. Distributor caps and rotors solved my headache and it was the easiest thing to check by removing a few screws
Reply 1
Mar 16, 2026 | 03:30 PM
  #14  
Thanks for the insight.
Added to the list of potential fixes.
Glad you were able to resolve it.
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

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-1

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-2

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-3

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-4

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-5

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-6

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-7

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-8

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
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE