E300 Diesel Cut Out

[aladdin]

Hi,
Anyone out there give me some advice!

I've got a E300 (1996) Auto Diesel. Last night I started it up to go home from work. I drove off got to the car park gates and wiated for traffic to pass to get onto the main road, then I realised that non of the indications were reading anything.
I revved the engine but nothing happened. I realised that the engine had Cut-Out. The electronic display was still lit, but the fuel gauge needle and the Speed-ometer neddle were at the bottom end.
I couldn't have stalled the car, as it is an Auto.

I took the key out and started it up again, at first when I turned the key nothing happened (usually the coil lights etc come on), I tried a second time, and it started fine. Then I drove home....

Anybody got any ideas as to what could have caused this.

thanks

 

[Dieselman]

Ignition switch.

 

[aladdin]

Ignition switch ?
(sorry for getting back so late to you.)

do I need a new one ? I assume I do, but what about the key, does this mean Iwill need a new key as well....any idea of cost?

The damn thing cut-out on me again today, just as i had pulled out of the car park on to the A41, cut out right aross the road, stopped all traffic on both sides, eventually got it started, but then coouldn't get it into gear, wouldn't come out of 'Park'. eventually, some one with a merc came out of his car, and we managed to scramble a screw drive from someons car, and aparrently theres a switch in the gear mechanism that can release to gears, eventully got it into gear and drove off. Left the damn thing on the street and walked 2miles home, going back to get it now, as it is dark, and at least I won't be holding up mch traffic if it stops again....taking it to garage on friday...they said they will put the fault computer on and confirm if it is the ignition switch....£30 just to do that.....