engine turns off while driving...need help
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Indonesia
E55 AMG
engine turns off while driving...need help
3 times last week the engine of my car died while driving on the road. All 3 times happened at slow speeds. Once going slowly crossing a railroad rails and twice going over speed bumps. There is no problem with the battery.
When the engine shut off, all the lights on the dash lit up, and the steering wheel locked. Even though igniting the car again wasn't a problem, its a crappy feeling to have your engine die in the middle of the road.
It just happens suddenly. The car wasn't choking or anything, the RPM needle just simply drops and engine is off with all the lights on.
Has anyone experienced this and what was the problem?
When the engine shut off, all the lights on the dash lit up, and the steering wheel locked. Even though igniting the car again wasn't a problem, its a crappy feeling to have your engine die in the middle of the road.
It just happens suddenly. The car wasn't choking or anything, the RPM needle just simply drops and engine is off with all the lights on.
Has anyone experienced this and what was the problem?
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Current: 2004 E55 Sold:350zTT
Recently have valve cover gaskets changed? I faced this problem recently and it was due to a fuel line that is near impossible to see being out of place under the charger. Blackbenzzz did my install, he might be more helpful to the solution.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 3
From: Saudi Arabia - Qatif
Brabus K8 E55 05
I have same problem with my car 
, but it does not switch off, I can smell fuel even after changing the tank for leaking problems and fuel pump before and also for leaking.
my car sometimes got like a chock but it regain its normal rpm when it's about to switch off. I heard one saying there is fuel line before but the guy did not explain much at that time and we were busy with something else and I totally forget to ask him to see the car.
It would be so appreciated to see some clear pictures posted where to track and check this fuel line.
, but it does not switch off, I can smell fuel even after changing the tank for leaking problems and fuel pump before and also for leaking.my car sometimes got like a chock but it regain its normal rpm when it's about to switch off. I heard one saying there is fuel line before but the guy did not explain much at that time and we were busy with something else and I totally forget to ask him to see the car.
It would be so appreciated to see some clear pictures posted where to track and check this fuel line.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 3
From: Saudi Arabia - Qatif
Brabus K8 E55 05
I have same problem with my car , but it does not switch off, I can smell fuel even after changing the tank for leaking problems and fuel pump before and also for leaking.
my car sometimes got like a chock but it regain its normal rpm when it's about to switch off. I heard one saying there is fuel line before but the guy did not explain much at that time and we were busy with something else and I totally forget to ask him to see the car.
One thing I also noticed is that when I fill the tank with fuel sometimes, I have hard time to fill it because of the trapped pressured air inside the tank and I think this is also related to the same problem.
It would be so appreciated to see some clear pictures posted where to track and check this fuel line.
, but it does not switch off, I can smell fuel even after changing the tank for leaking problems and fuel pump before and also for leaking.my car sometimes got like a chock but it regain its normal rpm when it's about to switch off. I heard one saying there is fuel line before but the guy did not explain much at that time and we were busy with something else and I totally forget to ask him to see the car.
One thing I also noticed is that when I fill the tank with fuel sometimes, I have hard time to fill it because of the trapped pressured air inside the tank and I think this is also related to the same problem.
It would be so appreciated to see some clear pictures posted where to track and check this fuel line.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Try wiggling your key up and down and side to side to see if that has an effect. Are you possibly hitting the key with your knee while going over bumps. The only time this happend to me is when I accidentally bumped the key with knee.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Indonesia
E55 AMG
Nah, didn't hit the key with my knee. It also happened when my friend was driving. I sit pretty far away and back.
So the service guys checked my throttle body, fuel pump, fuel pressure, fuel filter, and all of them didn't have any problems. Nothing came up faulty on the diagnostics either. They did say that there was a W211 with the same symptoms, and it was a problem with one of the 2 fuel filters. If there was something wrong with the fuel system, it would show abnormalities in the fuel pressure.
One thing I did notice is that when it died, the idle rpm was at 500, which should be around 800 if its normal. The only possibilities I can think of at the moment are O2 sensor problem or something wrong with software.
So the service guys checked my throttle body, fuel pump, fuel pressure, fuel filter, and all of them didn't have any problems. Nothing came up faulty on the diagnostics either. They did say that there was a W211 with the same symptoms, and it was a problem with one of the 2 fuel filters. If there was something wrong with the fuel system, it would show abnormalities in the fuel pressure.
One thing I did notice is that when it died, the idle rpm was at 500, which should be around 800 if its normal. The only possibilities I can think of at the moment are O2 sensor problem or something wrong with software.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 187
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From: Daytona Beach
2004 E55 AMG
Second on the crank position sensor. No facts on this problem with Benz but exactly same symptoms with wife's BMW which was famous for the problem. Maddening because it didn't throw a code.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 661
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From: Saudi Arabia - Qatif
Brabus K8 E55 05
can someone give us the part number for this sensor and how to fix it ? it would be really appreciate it although my problem should be something else because i can smell fuel ..
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Indonesia
E55 AMG
If there were to be a problem with the crank position sensor, wouldn't that also have an affect on re-ignition? Because ive searched the forums on the CPS problem and it seems like many of them had to wait a bit before starting the engine again, but I had no problems at all with ignition.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 32
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From: Indonesia
E55 AMG
And speaking of the engine stalling problem, it looks like the problem isnt the Crank Position Sensor, but a leak in the vacuum hose for the air system. Gonna have that checked tomorrow.
Banned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,209
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S65
Why would a CPS or valve cover gasket work make a steering wheel lock up?
As far as the vacuum leak, save yourself some coin at the dealership. Go buy a can of starting fluid or a can FLAMMABLE brake cleaner (available at any parts store), start the engine, pop the hood and start spraying the stuff around your vacuum hoses. Then, listen for the engine idle to go up. Soon as that happens, you just found your leak.
Note to the wise, make sure you don't go overboard with the spraying. You should hear the engine change idle speed with very little starting fluid.
As far as why the steering wheel locks up when the engine dies due to a vacuum leak... dunno. Maybe it's a Mercedes thing to lock up the steering wheel when the engine dies. Kind of dumb, from the safety aspect, if you ask me. But since you didn't ask me, I just told you anyway.
As far as the vacuum leak, save yourself some coin at the dealership. Go buy a can of starting fluid or a can FLAMMABLE brake cleaner (available at any parts store), start the engine, pop the hood and start spraying the stuff around your vacuum hoses. Then, listen for the engine idle to go up. Soon as that happens, you just found your leak.
Note to the wise, make sure you don't go overboard with the spraying. You should hear the engine change idle speed with very little starting fluid.
As far as why the steering wheel locks up when the engine dies due to a vacuum leak... dunno. Maybe it's a Mercedes thing to lock up the steering wheel when the engine dies. Kind of dumb, from the safety aspect, if you ask me. But since you didn't ask me, I just told you anyway.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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still looking to buy
I had my fuel pump replaced after it busted. the fuel smell will last a very very long time. can take like 1 to 2 months. seeing that you;ve changed your tank and fuel pump, the smell might even be coming from your AC.
And speaking of the engine stalling problem, it looks like the problem isnt the Crank Position Sensor, but a leak in the vacuum hose for the air system. Gonna have that checked tomorrow.
And speaking of the engine stalling problem, it looks like the problem isnt the Crank Position Sensor, but a leak in the vacuum hose for the air system. Gonna have that checked tomorrow.
I've already replaced the CPS twice (latest replacement being from the dealer). Where would the vacuum hoses be on this car? I'm planning on getting some wd40 and spraying the hoses when I get a chance this weekend.
Thanks in advance for any resonse.
Erik
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Joined: May 2022
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From: The Netherlands
2005 CLS55 AMG W219 C219
Afaik there are only 2 (please correct me if wrong!)
Aluminium pipe for EVAP/Purge valve
And the nipples on top which connect to the 2 secondary air injector valves on the front of the engine (there is a solenoid in between on the right side of the engine).
Aluminium pipe for EVAP/Purge valve
And the nipples on top which connect to the 2 secondary air injector valves on the front of the engine (there is a solenoid in between on the right side of the engine).
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mb v class
3 times last week the engine of my car died while driving on the road. All 3 times happened at slow speeds. Once going slowly crossing a railroad rails and twice going over speed bumps. There is no problem with the battery.
When the engine shut off, all the lights on the dash lit up, and the steering wheel locked. Even though igniting the car again wasn't a problem, its a crappy feeling to have your engine die in the middle of the road.
It just happens suddenly. The car wasn't choking or anything, the RPM needle just simply drops and engine is off with all the lights on.
Has anyone experienced this and what was the problem?
When the engine shut off, all the lights on the dash lit up, and the steering wheel locked. Even though igniting the car again wasn't a problem, its a crappy feeling to have your engine die in the middle of the road.
It just happens suddenly. The car wasn't choking or anything, the RPM needle just simply drops and engine is off with all the lights on.
Has anyone experienced this and what was the problem?
for me, it happened TWICE on a right curve with very bad carpeting.
turned lights off, all lights on dashboard turned on and lost power and steering.
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Mercedes c class
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From: USA
04 E55, 06 E55, 05 G55, 14 E63s, 12 cls63
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 820
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From: USA
04 E55, 06 E55, 05 G55, 14 E63s, 12 cls63
). But 130 euro was purely for the sensor
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Joined: Apr 2025
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E500 w211.070
Engine turned off when stationary and in drive
Hi, were you able to sort this problem? Something similar happened to me today, few seconds after i stopped at a red light the car shut itself off, like if the key was in position 2 and restarted only ofter i pulled the key out with no problem. I have some gearbox issue so i guessed that faulty solenoid made the engine stall or perhaps bad belt driven accessory caused the stall.
