C43 - engine cutting out

[996jimbo]

This could be an electronic problem so if it's in the wrong place please could the mods move - thanks.

Right, there I was driving around Bracknell in a bit of traffic and the sun out. Quick stab of the accelerator onto one of the many roundabouts - off the roundabout and - Oh! lots of lights on the dash. Then realised no engine. I coasted along trying to re-start the engine but no joy. Managed to free-wheel out of the way and called the AA.

Still waiting for the AA tried starting - turns over fine but does not start. About 10 mins later tried again and hey presto - engine purring away. Cancelled the AA and set off again.

Got back in to the traffic; about 1/2 mile further along all the dash lights on and engine stopped. Parked up and rang the AA again. As before with the ignition on all lights on, engine turns over for set amount of time but does not fire.

AA man arrives and tows me off the main road. We stand around chatting whilst he tries to get a plug lead off. Connects up some thingumy-jig, I turn over the engine and it's up and running again.

We leave it going whilst he looks around for something obvious and let it get to full temperature. All the fans work, and the engine keeps running.

About 1/2 hour later (still running, bonnet up) there's nothing more to prod at so agree that I'll head off, and I do. On the way back to the M3 I stopped off at a garage (which turns out to be right beside Bracknell MB). I stopped to buy some water (to drink), got back in the car, tried to start but same scenario again - turns over for set period but does not fire.

I called out AA Relay this time and got relayed back to my local garage. By the time relay turned up the car started again so could drive on to the flat bed, and drive off the other end.

Anyone got any bright ideas as to the problem? There does not seem to be any issue with electric power (turns over quite happily). There were no warning lights on, engine temp was high but not excessive (under 90), there was no warning and no sick running prior to cutting out. Car was serviced about a week / 500 miles ago.

Oh by the way just in case anyone from this forum passed me - Hi!

And another thing - chatting to the Relay chap on the way home I asked what, in his proffessional experience, was the least reliable new car. He said that they had recently got in trouble for telling people this. I promised not to tell, so he told me. Guess what the answer is?

 

[C220GJS]

Engine cutting out suddenly when hot ,then being able to restart after cooling down for a period makes me think the crank position sensor is at fault. Have the fault codes read to save changing things unnecessarily though.
Hope it's as simple as this.

 

[television]

The crankshaft sensor is the only thing that comes to mind with me, if it is that its low cost.

Malcolm

 

[jberks]

Thats the only thing I can think of too.
In the old days, coils would break down with heat - I had the identical symptoms on an Escort with a hairline fracture in the secondary coil - but as the 430 doesn't have a coil and a single coil pack breaking down wouldn't do it, we can rule that out.

 

[996jimbo]

Thanks for all this - just spoken to the garage and they fancy the crank sensor as well. They've checked and no fault codes stored but (apparently) if the crank sensor stops saying the engine is turning then there is no fault as such to log - the ECU just doesn't allow anything to fire.

 

[C220GJS]

Not often we all agree, let us know the outcome please.
Geo.

 

[television]

Not often we all agree, .
Geo.

Not quite true these days, things get better and better.

Malcolm

 

[996jimbo]

Quick update - the crank position sensor was changed and so far no more problems. I'll be a little more confident after doing a few more miles and maybe being stuck in traffic but so far so good.

Incidentally the cost was £50 odd for the sensor and £25 labour plus VAT although they did 'complain' that it actually took 3 people in all as it was such a bugger to get to and get out. All the work was completed in a day despite it (obviously) not having been booked in first so jolly well done Hillfarm Garage at Sutton Scotney.

 

[angus falconer]

Saw this too late to comment in time but I was going to say "crank sensor". One went pop on my first C43 at 55k, my latest one at 61k. Similar symptoms.

If you haven't had a MAF yet you may well need one soon.....I have now had to replace them on both C43's. Performance much improved each time.

These particular components seem to fail so predictably I think they should put them in the boot along with the tool kit.

While I'm at it I'll have a spare starter/immobilser relay in there too....yes that went too.....think this was an isolated incident, usual dry solder problem that can affect various electrical components.

Finally I had a dicky coil pack and two iffy HT leads on my last one.

None of these particularly expensive but inconvenient.

It just goes to show that mechanically these cars are pretty bullet proof but the electrics in high stress areas can suffer (all of these issues are under bonnet).

 

[996jimbo]

Thanks for the tips Angus! When did you change your car and why?

 

[angus falconer]

Thanks for the tips Angus! When did you change your car and why?

I changed just over two months ago. Now I have a toddler I wanted the extra space and versatility of the estate. And personally I much prefer the styling (I would have a bought an estate first time round if I could have found one).

I saw a cossetted C43 est in the small ads in the MBOA magazine and bought it within a week. He had had since one year old and had skipped the C32 - waited until he could afford a used C55 Estate. I sold mine on the same day to someone who had always said "if you ever sell that car I'd like first refusal....".

I had shortlisted two other cars; Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (unobtainable and crap turning circle which is annoying in London) and (pre-ugly-stick) BMW 540i Sport Estate (unobtainable and not as nice looking as the C43). I suppose the C43 Estate is also basically unobtainable as there were only ever 50 in the UK in the first place. But being in the MBOA gave me access to this particular C43 Est and the rest is history.

I lost a sunroof but gained auto dipping mirrors, folding mirrors and auto wipers.

All in all I love it - it's even more of a Q car than the saloon so I have a real laugh in it and at the same time and it's handy for baby buggies, bike racks and all the bits and pieces of family weekends away.

In short I'm very happy with it

 

[angus falconer]

Are you enjoying yours?

 

[996jimbo]

Are you enjoying yours?

Indeed I am. I bought it just over a year ago expecting to keep it for a year but have decided to hold on to it now. It is such a great car to drive. You're welcome to my sunroof by the way! I also agree entirely about the style - I've always liked the C class estates as they are the right proportions in just the same way the E class estate isn't. Same goes for the BMW 3 / 5 series estates (though prefer the older models).

About 5 years ago I decided not to take a company car and instead supply my own. Since then I have changed cars fairly regularly and have had:
Saab 9-5, Alfa 166 (2.5), Alfa 166 (3.0), Range Rover (P38) . The C43 has been the cheapest car overall because nothing of any real value has gone wrong.

I have two reservations though:
1. Lack of toys as it is an 'older' model, but then the TomTom is a better navigation system (and goes in a better position) than any built in system I've used (except Lexus that have pop-up screens - why don't all manufacturers do this?); Shame about the dangling wire though.
2. As the kids get older rear legroom may be an issue. There again by the time they are old enough for it to be an issue I'll be on to another car anyway.
Third issue is that the dogs get travel sick in the boot so if we all go somewhere one has to sit on the back seat and the other on my wife's lap in the front - and the one in the front keeps opening the windows!

EDIT - can't get rid of the smilie above but it's not meant to be there - obviously 8 followed by ) is the code.

 

[angus falconer]

I also run mine as alternative to a company car. I would like to hang on to mine for a couple of years as it ticks all the boxes for me. I am lucky enough to have a company fuel card - hence my interest in V8's

1. Lack of toys!

The guy who originally owned my last one put a pop up screen in with TV and satnav- he must have spent a lot of cash at some point. Now I don't have sat nav I don't miss it to be honest but that's a personal thing. The TV was a fun novelty but again I don't really miss it

2. As the kids get older rear legroom may be an issue.

Yes, agreed. Although the guy I bought mine off has C55 and a 10 yr old, a 17 year old and a dog.....Having said that this is where the 540i Touring comes in - bigger than a C, smaller than an E. Although there's always the E55....or S6 Avant. I wouldn't have a A4 Avant or 3 series Touring because they are pretty small inside and have tiny boots

Third issue is that the dogs get travel sick in the boot so if we all go somewhere one has to sit on the back seat and the other on my wife's lap in the front - and the one in the front keeps opening the windows!

My 21 month year old son climbs in the front to play when I'm parked up and has just found all the seat switches ....bu**er......

 

[shayes]

Quick update - the crank position sensor was changed and so far no more problems. I'll be a little more confident after doing a few more miles and maybe being stuck in traffic but so far so good.

Incidentally the cost was £50 odd for the sensor and £25 labour plus VAT although they did 'complain' that it actually took 3 people in all as it was such a bugger to get to and get out. All the work was completed in a day despite it (obviously) not having been booked in first so jolly well done Hillfarm Garage at Sutton Scotney.

Just out of interest can anyone tell me if my old W126 has a Crank Sensor?
Although symptoms of cutting out on deacceleration at roundabouts, the car fires up immediately once stopped and put into park, switched of and on.
Does fire up badly when hot, but only after half an hours being left. Bizarre.

 

[angus falconer]

Not sure. The E class with 4 round headlights does.

Mine basically refused to retart when hot. If I left it 30-60 mins it would be fine.