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my mercedes (1999 E320) dies after a short time of running.
Sent to Car Experts September 04 11:24 PM

my mercedes (1999 E320) dies after a short time of running. Sometimes if I let the car sit a while, it will start again but will not last long. I have diagnostic codes PO335 (camshaft position sensor A circuit malfunction) and PO 161 (O2 sensor heater circuit malfunction bank 2 sensor 2). Could either of these codes be the problem or is it a fuel filter problem or whatever?

 

Optional Information:
1999 Mercedes-Benz e320 6cyl

Already Tried:
just the codes...nothing tried yet

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 4 11:31 PM (7 minutes and 43 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

First be sure the vehicle battery is of good health, if it is weak or internally shorted, it will cause eroneous diagnostic codes. You can test the battery at any quality repair facility, or parts supplier - with an electronic tester.

Code P0335 can cause this concern, and the Camshaft Sensor is correctly diagnosed using a combination of the Factory scan tool, and a automotive lab scope. The code P0161 may be a coincidental fault in the oxygen sensor, or may have been there prior to the P0335. Most likely the oxygen sensor on Bank 2, after the Catalyst, will have to be replaced. The heater element in oxygen sensors tend to burn out, and the engine's computer will notice this and set the related code. To correctly test, you would pull the connector for the sensor under the vehicle and measure the resistance with a ohm meter.

-Rip




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Reply
September 4 11:38 PM (6 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
Reply to RIP's Post: so you don't think it could simply be a clogged fuel filter? The car has 88,000 miles and the filter has never been replaced.
Answer
September 4 11:48 PM (10 minutes and 14 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

If the fuel filter was trully plugged, it would not set the two diagnostic codes above. Anytime there is a performance issue, or no fire condition, diagnostic codes are priority in issolating the concern. The cam sensor code can be our concern, but it also could have been there prior to this concern, was the Check Engine Lamp on before it stalled?

If the lamp was on prior to the failure, we'll need to reset it, and crank the vehcile in hopes to gain the code? If it does not reappear, we need to start with the basics - fuel pressure/flow, and ignition spark. At this milage I rarely see failures from fuel filters, fuel pumps, and secondary ignition components. However, Camshaft, Crankshaft, MAF , and oxygen sensors have a high failure rate. The only thing that bothers me about your condition is that the vehicle's runs for a determined amount of time and then stalls, but restarts when warm. This is typical of the CKP (Crankshaft Position) sensor, but rarely sets codes. What determines this is if the codes were present before the failure, and that would deem them unreliable.

I'll have to double check tommorow at the shop, but I beleive this model didn't incorporate a fuel filter, outside of the fuel tank. On the models that did not uttilize the secondary filter, there is no recommended replacement interval.

You can also seperate this problem from a fuel, ignition issue by removing the intake boot at the throtle body, spraying some Carburator cleaner into the intake, replacing the boot, and cranking the engine. If it momentarily fires, we know it's a fuel issue.

-Rip



Edited by RIP180OUT on September 4 2006 at 11:51 PM



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Reply
September 5 3:35 PM (15 hours and 47 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
Reply to RIP's Post: THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON BEFORE IT INITIALLY STALLED. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS "OFF AND ON" SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR BUT JUST NOW HAS BEEN DOING IT MORE FREQUENTLY AND IS STALLED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY NOW. USUALLY IF I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW HOURS, IT WILL START UP AND RUN FOR A WHILE...SOMETIMES FOR A MONTH OR SO. NOW IT IS LUCKY IF IT RUNS FOR MORE THAN 10-15 MINUTES
Answer
September 5 3:50 PM (14 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Alright, your vehicle does have a fuel filter, located next to the fuel tank. The picture is below. But, if the lamp was not on before, the first step is to clear the codes and attempt to run the engine a few times, if the Camshaft sensor code returns immediatly, this is the beginning point in diagnosis. If it does not return, we have to verify fuel pressure and good spark next.

-Rip

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