Our 2003 C230K has almost 100k miles, a new battery, & has not had any problems starting before. Worked fine one day, the next morning, it wouldn't start. It cranks, turns over and the first time we try it each day will actually start for a few seconds, but then dies and will not start again.

I have checked all of the fuses in the trunk fuse box and they are fine visually at least. Have replaced the fuel relay. & today since the most likely reason for the problems based on everything I could tell was a fuel problem, I replaced the fuel pump as well. Tomorrow I plan to replace the fuel filter as well...

It still is acting the same way. Please help! It is stuck in my garage and I don't want to pay an arm and a leg to tow it to a shop if I can avoid it.

 

Hi Adam - before you go out and spend more money on the car; get the codes pulled from the DTC; it'll give you a definitive place to start troubleshooting. Let us know if you have any questions and best of luck!

 

Ok, got a code reader and the only one that registered is P2119 which states that it may be a faulty return spring on the throttle body. But I had disconnected the battery yesterday to replace the fuel pump which may have cleared the codes. Would this cause the problems I'm having?

 

This code could cause the Check Engine Light will be on. Vehicle may idle only. Vehicle will have reduced power output and slow throttle response (Limp Mode) - so entirely possible.

 

The check engine light has never been on actually. I remove the throttle body and gave it a good cleaning (was quite dirty), re-instlled it, but nothing changed. The car cranks, but won't start...