I have a 2002 S500, the other day I got into it to start it and after turning the key it turned over for about 3 to 4 seconds before it actually started. This has been going on for about 3 days now. once it does start it seems to run fine. Does anybody have any suggestions? Could it be the crankshaft Sensor or possibly something that is minor and easy to repair. I just replaced the gear shifter a few months ago after it shorted out. That was about $1,300.

 

Sounds like your MAF ? Mass Air Flow Sensor.. It is easy to do do yourself.. I usually see the same place on ebay selling them for like a 150.00 but I searched and did not see one.. You can also clean it ?

 

Thanks I will try a new MAF and see how it works.

 

I bought and newe MAF and put it and it is still doing the same thing only now it smells like it is runnig real rich. It is also very sluggish.

 

Since MAF isn't the issue. My suggestion is to change Spark Plugs. If that doesn't help this most likely be your Fuel Injectors that got clogged up due to bad fuel usage. You're going to need 8 of them. 1 per cylinder in other words, and it's somewhere around $95-$120 each. Hope you get it solved.

 

i don't have an S, but i did have similar symptoms on my E320 wagon and spent $500 replacing the starter - when the problem persisted, the mechanic replaced the crank shaft sensor for $100 plus labor and so far so good.

good luck.

 

A few more problems have come up since my first post. The car is now to a point where I cannot drive it. At startup it idles rough and only gets worse the more I drive it or the hotter the engine gets. When driving at speeds over 50 mph it has no acceleration when I push on the gas. When I stop it after driving for about ten minutes it barely starts. All of these symtoms seemed to pop up in over the past 2 days. Do all of these problems sound like a cam position sensor? Does anybody know if a cam position sensor and a crank position sensor are the same thing?

 

You know if you keep running/driving the car there is an excellent chance you will end up clogging the cats on the car. I think it may be best to get the car fixed before it gets more expensive. Just my opinion.
Johan

 

In the last post I said I am not driving it anymore. I am just looking to see if anybody might know anything about this problem, the shop I take my Mercedes and BMW's to cannot get my car in for another 5 days. Just looking for some insight.

 

Your car is sluggish because it's in limp home mode. Something is about to give and your car is designed to let you know so you get it fixed before it gives. I would suggest taking it in for a check up that way you won't spend more money on trial and error. You can drop it at the dealer instead of waiting 5 days. The sometimes end up starting on it before your appointment day comes.

 

The car was not in limp home mode. I had one do that to me once and it didn't act anything like it is now. Anyways I took into the shop the other day, they called me and told me there was a bunch of missfire codes that came up. They suggested changing the spark plugs. They wanted $450 to do it so I decided to do it myself. When I went to the shop to pick it up it ran perfect, I replaced the spark plugs and it ran fine for a few hours then it went back to missing. It did it for about 10 minuted and then started to run fine again. Now it is running like crap again.

I have replaced the plugs, and yes I used factory Bosch plugs from the dealer, and also replaced the mass airflow sensor. The problem is if the computer cannot even tell them what is wrong how are they; or me for that matter, supposed top know what to replace?
This is very frustrating. Does anybody have and ideas.

 

Try replaceing the 'L7' module in the engine room, it's in the back-mid-bottom to the left of the engine (take off the plastic engine cover first). When I replaced mine, it starts normally again.

 

Well after putting it in the shop for the second time. They called and said it had missfire codes on 1,3,5,7, and 2. All of this was cause by faulty fuel injectors. Go figure. Anyways I am $1100 lighter in the pocket book for 8 new injectors, and should get it back tomorrow.

 

Yes but your extended warranty covered that. Arent you glad you bought the extened warranty?