Mysterious shut off

[dwang]

OK, this is the second time that the 202 has mysteriously shut off while driving. The first time, the car was exiting a ramp off of a highway, and all of the sudden the engine shut off. The car did not start for about 30 minutes (tried to start in 5 minute intervals). 30 minutes later she cranks. After starting the car, she drove fine and everything seemed normal. I wrote the incident off as a fluke.

Fast forward to today. Again, on the highway in traffic and driving about 45 mph, she suddenly shut off. She would not start for about 10 minutes, but then she turns over. Got back on the highway and drove it about 2 miles when she shuts off again. Any ideas why she would do this? What should I check? I'm suspecting the fuel system and not the ignition since she is starting back up after waiting. Any help would be appreciated.


Dave

[marsbike]

Something like this happened to my e300 diesel. there is a valve for the gas tank, which regulates the amount of posative pressure, and it wasn't functioning (the valve cost $30 US). The best way to figure out if that is the problem, is when it stalls, take off the gas cap, and if there is a large amount of pressure in the tank, the valve is bad. If not, it could be a bad fuel line, fuel filter, fuel pump etc...there are a lot of possibilities for what it could be, and is difficult to diagnose without actually having the car around.

[benzaddict]

There are 2 very common problems that fit your description, depending on what year and model you have. The 94-95 models had a real problem with the overvoltage protection relays failing and the car would intermitt die and not restart for about 15030 minutes. The newer V-6/V-8models (98-00 C280/C43) also have a very similar problem but it is the crankshaft position sensor getting hot and going "open circuit" which will make the car die and not restart until it cools about 10-20 minutes later. Either is very easy to replace.

[aruba]

had the same problem with my 1997 c 280 , turns out it was the fuel pump relay. you can check that out also

[spriro]

I had that problem last year on my 99 C280. It was the crankshaft sensor.
It happened when the engine temperature reach a certain level and when I was slowing down (exit ramps or traffick lights).
Get that fixed quickly. It's very dangerous. My car died on the highway once. Luckilly I was able to move to the shoulder quickly.

[kropsch]

I had the same problem in my '97 C280.
I just disconnect and connect the air sensor plug and
the car was good again. I went to the dealer and asked for a
code reading with the hand held computer. The indication was
a bad air sensor. They just cleaned it and so far the problem didn't come back.

[zzDragonzz]

did u figure out the cause to this?

[Christopher]

I have this problem and it's been sitting for more than 6 months now it's cranks and shut off right away

[vaspen]

My fuel pump relay went bad so we bypassed it to the ignition as a temp fix because
the relay is going bad it was shutting off like yours describes I just have yet to have at it agen lol
Didn't have the money for the 4o$ relay and I just don't feel like tearing my stereo out to fix it xD