[kwesisq]

While driving home last night, my car’s ignition just shut down while waiting at the light. It happened when the light turned green and in the process of lifting my foot off the brake paddle to the accelerator. All the power at the instrument cluster panel remains lit and the SOS indication came on.
Not only was it embarrassing when cars behind my started blowing their horns at me but it was the scariest moment I had in a while since the car was purchased used just this past December. Not knowing what to do, I quickly shifted the gear into park and restarted the car. It jumped to life and I was able to drive home without any problem.
Has anyone experienced the same problem or anything similar? Is it electrical problem? And finally, what should I do now to avoid that from happening again?
Thank you all in advance.

 

[kwesisq]

16 views and no reply? Come on guys... We're suppose to be supporting each other here

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

ahh.....the electrical quality of the starmarked Chrysler.

 

[HFMB]

16 views and no reply? Come on guys... We're suppose to be supporting each other here

Sorry, no idea. Perhaps it would help if you indicated which 211 you have and the year.

 

[kwesisq]

Sorry, no idea. Perhaps it would help if you indicated which 211 you have and the year.

Oh. I have an 03 E-320. 40k miles...

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

Oh. I have an 03 E-320. 40k miles...

What a surprise!!!

 

[Diesel Benz]

16 views and no reply? Come on guys... We're suppose to be supporting each other here

At least you get very helpful comments about your car quality.

No (real) answers was most likely because nobody has seen this before. The only thing I could think of is a sensor failure, but it would need to be something like a camshaft position sensor(?) that the engine cannot live without, not a MAF or similar. I guess it could always be bad fuel that the engine does not handle at idle.

I would suggest having the error codes read.

 

[kwesisq]

At least you get very helpful comments about your car quality.

No (real) answers was most likely because nobody has seen this before. The only thing I could think of is a sensor failure, but it would need to be something like a camshaft position sensor(?) that the engine cannot live without, not a MAF or similar. I guess it could always be bad fuel that the engine does not handle at idle.

I would suggest having the error codes read.

Thank You boss... My schedule D service is due sometime soon and I'll mention it to them. However, I hope it doesn't happen again before then...

 

[benzVIP]

it could have just been a one time thing, I wouldn't worry bout it until it happens again.

 

[kwesisq]

it could have just been a one time thing, I wouldn't worry bout it until it happens again.

Thats the feeling I'm having... I love the car. It drives great. I even messed up and got my first speeding ticket in over 4 years. I hope it'll treat me right...

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

Thats the feeling I'm having... I love the car. It drives great. I even messed up and got my first speeding ticket in over 4 years. I hope it'll treat me right...

You'll love it until you start getting stranded and it spends more time at the dealer then on the road.

 

[kwesisq]

You'll love it until you start getting stranded and it spends more time at the dealer then on the road.

You seriously think it'll come to that? Are you talking from experience or just shear hatred for the 211 models?

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

You seriously think it'll come to that? Are you talking from experience or just shear hatred for the 211 models?

I'm speaking from statistical evidence and seeing W211 (especially shotty 03/04's) being towed into the dealer at which I worked. If it wasn't the ignition, it was something else. One electrical problem after another. We had a 01 S500 catch fire one day because of shotty electrical connections and poor body seals which allowed water to enter and start a massive fire under the rear seat!

Do yourself a favor and get rid of the car while you are still ahead. Its not a question of if it will let you down, but when.

 

[Diesel Benz]

I'm speaking from statistical evidence and seeing W211 (especially shotty 03/04's) being towed into the dealer at which I worked. If it wasn't the ignition, it was something else. One electrical problem after another. We had a 01 S500 catch fire one day because of shotty electrical connections and poor body seals which allowed water to enter and start a massive fire under the rear seat!

Do yourself a favor and get rid of the car while you are still ahead. Its not a question of if it will let you down, but when.

That makes 03 and 04 to be avoided, 01 too, would be nice to know what is left in addition to 1990?

By the way, what was wrong with the dealer you were working for, why did you leave them?

 

[kwesisq]

I'm speaking from statistical evidence and seeing W211 (especially shotty 03/04's) being towed into the dealer at which I worked. If it wasn't the ignition, it was something else. One electrical problem after another. We had a 01 S500 catch fire one day because of shotty electrical connections and poor body seals which allowed water to enter and start a massive fire under the rear seat!

Do yourself a favor and get rid of the car while you are still ahead. Its not a question of if it will let you down, but when.

I’m saving so I could trade it in and get an 07 or 08 CDI Sometime down the line. However, I personally think folks in the US turn to pamper their cars too much… Unless the manufactures are intentionally bringing weak cars in our market, I can’t tell why customers from other markets i.e. Africa and Asia turns to drive their cars in harsh conditions, rough terrenes, third/second class roads but with constant longer life span. My uncle drove his E class for God knows how long with nothing more than an occasional oil change. And I mean this car has been driven to the farm, through the biggest pot holes you can imagine, water lock roads and etc. He just bought an 06 Audi (A6) and last I visited, I was surprise at how this car was being treated without breaking down.
For some reason, we in the States turn to spend so much on spark-plugs, filters, oil, rotation, mechanical issues while our cars seems to have a shorter life span.
Any reason why? Anybody cares to enlighten me?

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

That makes 03 and 04 to be avoided, 01 too, would be nice to know what is left in addition to 1990?

By the way, what was wrong with the dealer you were working for, why did you leave them?

01 is to be avoided on everything Mercedes, except for the E and G class. Those were star years for their respective models. I stopped working at the dealer because I moved to the South and could make far more money working elsewhere. It was a great experience tho.

 

[mr.xpowerseller]

I’m saving so I could trade it in and get an 07 or 08 CDI Sometime down the line. However, I personally think folks in the US turn to pamper their cars too much… Unless the manufactures are intentionally bringing weak cars in our market, I can’t tell why customers from other markets i.e. Africa and Asia turns to drive their cars in harsh conditions, rough terrenes, third/second class roads but with constant longer life span. My uncle drove his E class for God knows how long with nothing more than an occasional oil change. And I mean this car has been driven to the farm, through the biggest pot holes you can imagine, water lock roads and etc. He just bought an 06 Audi (A6) and last I visited, I was surprise at how this car was being treated without breaking down.
For some reason, we in the States turn to spend so much on spark-plugs, filters, oil, rotation, mechanical issues while our cars seems to have a shorter life span.
Any reason why? Anybody cares to enlighten me?

People don't pamper their cars too much! They beat the living hell out of them and expect them to keep going. Owners constantly don't pay any attention to their cars, letting them fall apart, look like crap and be a total mess. We drive more miles per year in the US, on average, then any other country. People are lazy and they drive everywhere and put far more miles on their car then anywhere else in the world.

 

[Diesel Benz]

People don't pamper their cars too much! They beat the living hell out of them and expect them to keep going. Owners constantly don't pay any attention to their cars, letting them fall apart, look like crap and be a total mess. We drive more miles per year in the US, on average, then any other country. People are lazy and they drive everywhere and put far more miles on their car then anywhere else in the world.

Don't know about the driving style but it must be true that US car owners drive more than elsewhere. I haven't seen US that much but in my opinion the Northern cities are more similar to European ones, there is at least some chance to walk or use other transport options but elsewhere you may need to use your car to cross the street

On the other hand, US people have probably more than twice the number of cars per person/family, that makes less miles per car.

 

[kwesisq]

People don't pamper their cars too much! They beat the living hell out of them and expect them to keep going. Owners constantly don't pay any attention to their cars, letting them fall apart, look like crap and be a total mess. We drive more miles per year in the US, on average, then any other country. People are lazy and they drive everywhere and put far more miles on their car then anywhere else in the world.

I disagree; folks in the States think they drive long. But you’ll be surprise at how long and rough people from other countries drive. You also have to take into consideration the roads. Most countries don’t have stretched four lane highways… Up here in Va, most roads are re-padded every year or at least every couple of years. It is unlike other countries where pot holes as well as uncoated and dusty roads being standard.
Like stated in my earliest post, I personally know folks who does nothing but occasional oil change but for some reason, their cars don’t give them headaches the US consumers seems to have…