On my 1999 SL500, I can drive to work and the car runs perfectly. When I go back to my car after work, on a hot day, it won't start. I will crank and fire up, then immediately, within a second or two shut down. If I continue to do this for a few tries, the time it runs shortens. I see on the forum that a crank position sensor could be the problem when the engine is hot. My engine starts fine when hot, but on a hot day it won't. When the temp drops to below 80 degrees, or the sun isn't heating the parking lot too bad, it starts normally. What am I missing? I can't figure this one out, and it sucks to be stranded at work until it cools down at night.
Hello Sunnybay and welcome to the forum. I keep looking at your problem and try to think why your car should start when the engine is hot but not when the outside ambient air temperature is hot.
It may be worth investigating the fuel lines and in particular the breather/vent pipe.
Thanks for the diagrams redliner. I did try undoing the filler cap, and it didn't help. I bought a new fuel filter, and I can't even find the old one so I haven't replaced it yet. Where is it? Do you think the problem could be with some electronic component in the cabin that is sensitive to the temperature? Something with the ignition switch? I'm stumped.
Last edited by Sunnybay : 06-28-2008 at 11:40 AM.
Reason: typo
I wouldn't have thought it would be an electrical problem triggered by heat. The way you describe the engine firing and then dying does sound like a fuel related problem.
I wouldn't have thought it would be an electrical problem triggered by heat. The way you describe the engine firing and then dying does sound like a fuel related problem.
Similar symptoms happened to me before in my 95. It very much seems to be fuel related as it hesitates and sputters for a second and (may or may not stall out). As soon as I gave it a little gas (pedal) the engine will correct its RPMs. Once it catches its idle RPMs It has never hesitated after the motor is running. Sure does not sound like plugs or wires. No noticeable misfires or hesitation otherwise. It has only happened only a few times and it was usually hot outside or at least the motor was very well warmed when it happened and it always reved up just fine as soon as I gave it some gas (never stranded) Knock on wood! heheh. I am not really worried about at this point, but more curious as to what would cause this.
Thanks again for the responses. I hadn't thought about fuel problems. So where do I actually find the fuel filter on my car? I see it in the diagram, but is it under the car? Under the hood? Where exactly? The two times I had trouble, it was in the low 60's F in the morning when I parked it, and sunny and 90F in the afternoon when I tried to go home. Quite a temp swing. Tomorrow I will try starting mid-day.
The fuel pump and filter are under the rear of the car, the right side. There is a cover over the area, which you must remove.
I've got the same exact problem. I feel as though I'm starting a 65 Chevy the way I'm pumping the gas. Tried the 'Injector Cleaner' method with no change.
Thanks again for the responses. I hadn't thought about fuel problems. So where do I actually find the fuel filter on my car? I see it in the diagram, but is it under the car? Under the hood? Where exactly? The two times I had trouble, it was in the low 60's F in the morning when I parked it, and sunny and 90F in the afternoon when I tried to go home. Quite a temp swing. Tomorrow I will try starting mid-day.
I don't think if the (fuel filter) would cause something like this to happen. But please keep us posted if this fixes the problem.
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