Hi, I have a c180 estate auto 1998. I bought it private about 2 months ago, all was fine for the first month but since then the car will just die on me while driving, you can be going along just fine then everything goes off, dials drop steering gets heavy and thats it just as if you turned it off, somtimes it will start againat the first turn of the key other times it takes a few attempts.I have taken it to my local garage where they said it was the coils and changed them, £170 down the pan as that hasnt fixed it, they then suggested it was the electronic key so i went to duplicut a local specialist, they tell me theres nothing wrong, so now im asking anyone out there if they have ever come across this and have any sugestions on what it could be or what to do, any help would be appriciated before it stops on me and I end up being flattened by a truck.........................................than ks

 

When a car suffers this type of problem it is difficult for non tech people to understand what is happening.

Step 1 is to get the diagnostic codes read. These do not tell you what is wrong but which parameters are out of spec. A skilled tech is then required to translate the code into a possible cause.
Changing parts ***** nilly is a recipe for disaster unless you have Deeep pockets!

If indeed NO CODES are set then I would suggest the Crank Position Sensor CPS has gone bad. These are known to suffer from temp related intermittant problems especially on V* where underbonnet temps are very high in summer.

There are of course so many possible causes that could cause these symptoms..

Electronic Ignition switch EIS / K40 Fuel relay are other possible issues that need to be bottomed out.

Good luck.

Stuart

 

Hi Stuart, thnx for the advice. I should add that when we had a spell of hot weather the car ran fine for a couple of weeks, since its started raining and being damp the problem has returned, I am begining to suspect a wiring problem but as to where who knows. I think the next step is to get the codes read by a dealer and see what they can come up with, if anyone has any further sugestions please let me know, Thanks.
John

 

i know this sounds so simple, but, have you checked if you connections to the battery, the way its finicky about running or not makes it seem like that could be it and the fact that it runs better in the heat