EPC problem on ML270

[David Murray]

Hi, can anyone shed any light on my problem.I have an ML270 year 2001.A couple of times lately the engine has cut out and the EPC light comes on.The car starts again and the problem goes away for weeks.

 

[television]

Hi, can anyone shed any light on my problem.I have an ML270 year 2001.A couple of times lately the engine has cut out and the EPC light comes on.The car starts again and the problem goes away for weeks.

I am sure that when Psmart comes on this evening you will get some help.

malcolm

 

[psmart]

Hi David,

Can you get a diagnostic readout, as this would give you the probable cause. The 270 is a common engine, so another member may have come across this problem, but if not, getting a code readout would be the first port of call.

Aside the above, I cant give a straight answer, as I havent encountered this problem myself, but I have the diagnostic kit, so if you could get the codes, I could give info as to the suspect areas. Cheapest way to get a diagnostic readout is at a Mercedes Independent Specialist, or Indie.

For something to be causing the ECU to completely kill the engine, it has to be a critical faulty sensor (or loose connector), faulty ECU (or loose connector) or fuel starvation. Normally, the engine goes into limp home safe mode for most sensors. Sensors I believe that could cut the engine out are the diesel common rail pressure sensor and crank case position sensor. If your mechanically minded, then obtain a can of Kontakt 60, and go round all the connectors in the engine bay, disconnecting them, spraying the cleaner on both surfaces, allowing to dry off, then reconnecting.

Any other info, such as noises, if any, you here before cut-out may be of help?

 

[David Murray]

Hi psmart thanks for the reply.The fault is continuos now I can only drive 50 yards and the engine dies. There are no noises but it will drive further if I keep the revs really low. I will try cleaning the sensors as a first fix. I have been using bio diesel lately could the fuel filter be partially blocked.

 

[psmart]

Looking at the engine, the following are possibilities which could shut it down:
Camshaft Position Sensor
Oil level Sensor
Crankshaft position Sensor
If you look at this picture, you can see the locations: http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.644&CT=M&cat=21T&SID=15&SGR=105&SGN=03

Then the Common Rail pressure sensor at:
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=716.644&CT=M&cat=21T&SID=07&SGR=105&SGN=02

In terms of locations, your cars ECU is located, looking from the front into the bonnet, is at the right hand side, in what looks like plastic covering the air conditioning plant. Just behind the fuse box. Remove 4 bolts and you can gain access to the ECU, ESP, Glow Plug Relay etc. The ECU is the furthest back 'metal' cannister, pull out, release the 3 plugs and spray and clean.

The other possibility is that you have a fuel blockage, or fuel air leak (ie. air getting into the fuel line). When was the Fuel filter last changed? Rajinder_1 had some severe issues with gunge in his fuel tank recently from reputable fuel suppliers, so this could well be a possibility. I cant really suggest a way to verify this, although Sprint'N'Go recently took his fuel filter apart (also a 270 engine), so may be able to provide insight into stripping it and cleaning it.

The giveaway sign is revs, either the ECU is detecting a Sensor is out of parameterisation as the revs increase, or the fuel line is blocked, not able to give sufficient fuel.

 

[David Murray]

I have cleaned all the sensors and replaced the fuel filter. If I drive over 1800 revs the engine cuts out. If I disconnect the common rail pressure sensor wiring the engine does not cut out but it still has no power above 1800 res.

 

[television]

If you care to put up the first 6 numbers of your VIN I will check to see if this is a known problem.

malcolm

 

[David Murray]

The numbers are WDC1631132

 

[television]

I will check it out this evening.

malcolm

 

[David Murray]

took car to indie dealer who said the fuel pressure was low probably due to the use of biodiesel.He replaced high and low pressure fuel pumps and cleaned the fuel tank.It is running fine now he reccomended not to use biodiesel unless you have a transit van. I do not have the handbook for this model so I dont know what Mercedes reccomend.

 

[Blobcat]

As the 270 is a high pressure CDI engine bio fuels are not recommended. The 250 TD and 300 TD were the last MB engines that run on the biofuels

 

[RichHammond]

What is the difference between bio fuels as apposed to ordinary, ive been using bio in my ML and no problems as yet?

 

[Daniel mills]

Any more on this subject?
My ml 270 seems to have similar problems.
I can accelerate like a bat out of hell up to 80kmh then epic comes up and engine cuts out, if accelerating gently I can go as fast as I like.
If holding 120kmh on cruise it will run all night long, but the minute I accelerate it dies on me... very worrying on the freeway.
I have replaced all the fuel lines and filter.

 

[Wighty]

Any more on this subject?
My ml 270 seems to have similar problems.
I can accelerate like a bat out of hell up to 80kmh then epic comes up and engine cuts out, if accelerating gently I can go as fast as I like.
If holding 120kmh on cruise it will run all night long, but the minute I accelerate it dies on me... very worrying on the freeway.
I have replaced all the fuel lines and filter.

You would be better starting a new thread buddy . I'm sure most of the advice will be a Star session or an MB specific codes reader to find out what fault codes are logged .

 

[LostKiwi]

Any more on this subject?
My ml 270 seems to have similar problems.
I can accelerate like a bat out of hell up to 80kmh then epic comes up and engine cuts out, if accelerating gently I can go as fast as I like.
If holding 120kmh on cruise it will run all night long, but the minute I accelerate it dies on me... very worrying on the freeway.
I have replaced all the fuel lines and filter.

Check for a split turbo hose or intercooler leak.

 

[Bertyboam]

Please help, I will upload a screen shot iof it will let me

 

[Bertyboam]

 

[Ryno]

I have the same problem ,car runs fine until you press gas pedal funny noise ,stutter and epc light comes on , drive for a while ,and everything is fine ,must say it only happens when temp reach 90 degrees celcius

 

[joderest]

don't know if relates
My ML has cut a few times in the past, always at slow speeds, re starts and problem does not come back for months.
Last time it happened was in September last year, and by share chance i discovered the ring that holds ignition lock had worked loose, tightened it up by hand and issue not happened again.
I wondered if the sensor was too far away from the sensing ring, hence drive authorisation disabled for a split second causing engine to stop.
Just a shot in the dark really

 

[Mackenzie Chibambo]

My ML 270, 2000 model all had been limiting my speed to 80 Kms, if I try to go past that it stops. Now it has been giving airlock problems. It now can't run for ten minutes. It later can only start with kwick start but still runs for ten minutes and stops. There is EPC light and ABS coming continuously. It is refusing even to start with quick start. We have changed main and primary diesel pumps and back rail sensor and crankshaft sensor but no change. What could be the cause?