Hi Everyone

I have been experiencing a problem with my 1997 SLK 230Kompressor R170. This is the first generation, pre-facelift.

It all started when the engine suddenly cut off at a traffic light one day. I tried starting it but the engine would not fire up. It turned over easily as it normally does but after about few seconds the starter would disengage. I tried this for about 10 minutes in the middle of a busy intersection but the engine would not start. After calling for a tow truck I tried once again after a couple of minutes and to my surprise the engine fired up. The car ran fine after that for a few days but did the same thing again with increasing frequency.

It has since developed a misfire upon acceleration and an uneven idle. These symptoms are not consistent, because the idle returns to normal for short infrequent periods.

It has stalled on many occasions since then and when this happens it does not start up again right away. It only starts after many tries (more than 10 tries). Sometimes it only starts up again after it has been left to rest for about half an hour. I have not used the car for about 2 months because it is bound to stall in traffic.

I tried using the iCarSoft MB V2.0 fault finder but no faults show up. It's as though the iCarSoft MB V2.0 is not compatible with the R170. I didn't get much help from the iCarSoft customer care division. Its a useless piece of equipment.

After reading the many posts on this Forum that discussed the symptoms my car was displaying, I replaced the following parts, in the following order, with original Mercedes-Benz parts, without success.

1. Replaced the K40 relay. No success.
2. Replaced Fuel pump and fuel filter. No success.
3. Replaced Fuel Pressure Regulator. No success.
4. Replaced Crankshaft Position Sensor. No success.
5. Replaced Camshaft position/angle sensor. No success

All plugs are firing.

Has anyone observed similar symptoms and how did you correct it?
Does anyone have any thoughts?
I would appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

Thanks

 

Before you go any further check the fuel pressure, I just went round and round with a buick that when it was hot it would not restart ( I threw parts at it because I swore it was a electrical problem)

I blamed everything but the fuel pump finally I purchased a cheap fuel pressure tool from amazon, and wouldn't you know the fuel pump was causing the problem.

Check it if the pressure matches the specs OK if its too low change the pump
I wish you luck.

 

did you ever solve this? what was your solution?

 

Hi on my 01 SLK I found the plug that went to the device that sees the keys signal when it is is in the ingnition was barely on.

My car was fine the day I bought it the next day it would not start, to get iit running again I started digging into the dash,that was when I found the halo plug barely making contact.

There is a chrome halo that surrounds the key opening that part reads the coil inside the key fob, the wires from the halo go to a small silver box, the manual said the part was called a SCREAM.

The tiny wires from the halo to the screem were not making contact right at the plug, when I pushed the plug together it pushed out the wires so it could have been that way since the car was new.

When the system in that halo does not see this coil inside the key fob it locks out the starter.

I also found a small 10amp fuse in the (Driver side underhood fuse box), that blew out on me when i was looking for my starting problem that kept the starter from working.

I think I blew out this fuse looking for wires with power check that fuse if the starter will not turn after making repairs the car was fine for years.

Good luck to you I hope this helps. bguz