C43 engine cutting out

[996jimbo]

This could be an electronic problem so if it's in the wrong place please could the mods move - thanks.

Right, there I was driving around Bracknell in a bit of traffic and the sun out. Quick stab of the accelerator onto one of the many roundabouts - off the roundabout and - Oh! lots of lights on the dash. Then realised no engine. I coasted along trying to re-start the engine but no joy. Managed to free-wheel out of the way and called the AA.

Still waiting for the AA tried starting - turns over fine but does not start. About 10 mins later tried again and hey presto - engine purring away. Cancelled the AA and set off again.

Got back in to the traffic; about 1/2 mile further along all the dash lights on and engine stopped. Parked up and rang the AA again. As before with the ignition on all lights on, engine turns over for set amount of time but does not fire.

AA man arrives and tows me off the main road. We stand around chatting whilst he tries to get a plug lead off. Connects up some thingumy-jig, I turn over the engine and it's up and running again.

We leave it going whilst he looks around for something obvious and let it get to full temperature. All the fans work, and the engine keeps running.

About 1/2 hour later (still running, bonnet up) there's nothing more to prod at so agree that I'll head off, and I do. On the way back to the M3 I stopped off at a garage (which turns out to be right beside Bracknell MB). I stopped to buy some water (to drink), got back in the car, tried to start but same scenario again - turns over for set period but does not fire.

I called out AA Relay this time and got relayed back to my local garage. By the time relay turned up the car started again so could drive on to the flat bed, and drive off the other end.

Anyone got any bright ideas as to the problem? There does not seem to be any issue with electric power (turns over quite happily). There were no warning lights on, engine temp was high but not excessive (under 90), there was no warning and no sick running prior to cutting out. Car was serviced about a week / 500 miles ago.

Oh by the way just in case anyone from this forum passed me - Hi!

And another thing - chatting to the Relay chap on the way home I asked what, in his proffessional experience, was the least reliable new car. He said that they had recently got in trouble for telling people this. I promised not to tell, so he told me. Guess what the answer is?

 

[stats007]

I'll stick my neck out and say camshaft position sensor.

 

[996jimbo]

Just spoken to the garage - he's inclined to agree (though favours the crank sensor).

Interestingly no fault codes logged which is why he fancies the crank sensor - if it says the engine isn't turning then there's no fault to log.

 

[mobeyone]

Common fault - happened with my 320.

 

[996jimbo]

And another thing - chatting to the Relay chap on the way home I asked what, in his proffessional experience, was the least reliable new car. He said that they had recently got in trouble for telling people this. I promised not to tell, so he told me. Guess what the answer is?

Incidentally, if you're all assuming Mercedes you'd be wrong.

 

[Shude]

Incidentally, if you're all assuming Mercedes you'd be wrong.

That's because nearly all MB faults do not require breakdown recovery, and cars under 4 years old (possibly more) get free recovery from Mobilo life...

 

[se97mlm]

Incidentally, if you're all assuming Mercedes you'd be wrong.

No it'll be the W211 E-class. Too many pesky electronics

 

[996jimbo]

That's because nearly all MB faults do not require breakdown recovery, and cars under 4 years old (possibly more) get free recovery from Mobilo life...

Yeah but, whoever pays for the recovery they are still recovered - unless MB have their own fleet of recoverers (I just assumed they don't); my recovery man was not AA just doing it under one of their various contracts.

But to re-phrase - can anyone guess which new make of car is the subject of most call outs / recoveries of the independant recovery firm that recovered me under their contract to the AA?

Snot a MB, not even an E class.

 

[c43]

Just spoken to the garage - he's inclined to agree (though favours the crank sensor).

Interestingly no fault codes logged which is why he fancies the crank sensor - if it says the engine isn't turning then there's no fault to log.

Exactly the same fault I had a few months ago along with no fault codes to diagnose and yes, it turned out to be crank position sensor

 

[Shude]

But to re-phrase - can anyone guess which new make of car is the subject of most call outs / recoveries of the independant recovery firm that recovered me under their contract to the AA?

Alfa Romeo or Fiat surely? Maybe Peugeot, I see loads of them hogging the hard shoulder of a morning

 

[996jimbo]

Alfa Romeo or Fiat surely? Maybe Peugeot, I see loads of them hogging the hard shoulder of a morning

Let's just say the Bavarians have nothing to feel smug about. The guy was quite unequivocal about it - and said they had been told to stop telling people how common their faults were as the drivers were going back to their hire companies and complaining.

 

[KLP 92]

I'll stick my neck out and say camshaft position sensor.

Yep, my necks out as well!

 

[996jimbo]

Crank sensor's been changed - will let you know how I get on.

Cost was about £40 parts, £25 labour, bits and bobs including VAT came to £80 odd. Said getting the old sensor out was a real fiddle.

 

[Thmsshaun]

Glad its sorted. Sounds like one for me to look out for.

 

[gaz_l]

Sounds like mine could be on the way out then. A couple of times I have turned over the engine and it hasn't fired. After a few seconds I've switched off, counted to 10 (like you do) and then turned the key again. So far it's always started second attempt, but one to watch out for. At least an £85 hit isn't the end of the world...

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Birdman]

A roadside recovery survey by the German rescue service ADAC showed that they were least likely to be called out to recover a Mercedes. That may be because the enraged owners simply torched them on the spot and claimed on the insurance, or that owners are more likely to have their cars regularly service. But this was not a customer satisfaction survey, or the Japanese would have won it. Then again, how many MB owners would seriously consider any Japanese maker a comparable alternative to the prestige German marques?

From the UK's Warranty Direct figures it seems that the E Class were the cheapest of all cars to repair with the average warranty claim coming in at £306. The A class average repair bill was over £500. Most E Class repair work - about one third - was down to axles and suspension.

I was offered an extended warranty by the MB dealer when my three-year manufacturer warranty expired, for £750 per annnum. I figured I would spend rather less than that on annual repairs and so it has proved. After two years I've experienced a broken road spring and two faulty electrical switches costing me £500 in repairs. But I'm in for another bill at the outset of this year, with a replacement adjustable damper valve coming in at £370 with labour and VAT.

I still have £380 in hand to spend over the rest of the year before losing out to the extended warranty offer and I've saved a thousand on the previous two years. I suppose now it's only the really big repairs I would consider taking out insurance for.

 

[996jimbo]

Just by way of a final update - problem completely cured by the crank sensor replacement. 12 months of ownership has been and gone, and I'm not looking to change the car - still love it.

 

[C240Sport97]

Porsche

Let's just say the Bavarians have nothing to feel smug about. The guy was quite unequivocal about it - and said they had been told to stop telling people how common their faults were as the drivers were going back to their hire companies and complaining.

 

[Shude]

Just by way of a final update - problem completely cured by the crank sensor replacement. 12 months of ownership has been and gone, and I'm not looking to change the car - still love it.

How much was the crank sensor replacement? It's on my list of possible faults. The parts man said the sensor itself is about £40 or something.

 

[996jimbo]

Total cost £80 odd including parts (yes £40 odd), labour and VAT.

Although he did have a gentle moan that it took 3 of them to get the old one out 'cause it was such a pig so actually 'cost' them more than an hours labour.