First breakdown, First experience of Mobilo

[Tony]

I've had loads of problems with my SLK320 but yesterday was the first time it actually broke down. It normally starts on the button, but it just refused to start - 3 o'clock in the afternoon in supermarket car park. I called mobilo and was given the third degree about the service history, which is complete, but they have lost the records apparently. I was told they'd get a mechanic who'd phone me within 15 minutes. 45 minutes later a a girl from Mercedes 24 service phones up to say that there's no one available till 8pm. This is no good so they agree to get a mechanic from a local garage round. This guy arrives in about 45 minutes and gets the car started by resetting the ECU with an OBDII, pointing out that the problem may recur. This gets me home anyway.

Next morning, same problem. I called Mobilo again and this time they get a mechanic with full diagnostic equipment round in about an hour - not bad. It turns out to be a faulty crankshaft sensor which he changed and charged me £56, which is pretty reasonable really. All round not too bad.

Is this faulty sensor a common problem? I haven't seen any other cases on the forum.

 

[television]

Is this faulty sensor a common problem? I haven't seen any other cases on the forum.

Sadly this little piece often gets over looked, we have had faulty ones here on the forum, this little Hall effect switch sits on the front of the engine by the crankshaft damper and is the first thing that the main ECU connects with, without the info from this switch the engine cannot start, as you found out.
Eratatic idle, poor starting, miss firing when cold or hot are a few of the things.
I have had 2 thank you comments on this piece where it needed to be replaced.

I think it is the most over looked item. On a 4 cylinder car it opens and closes 4 times per revolution, that means at 3k RPM 12k times, on a V8 that's 24k.

Malcolm

 

[Tony]

I guess it must be a common problem as the mechanic from the local garage said it was probably the crankshaft sensor and the MB mechanic who turned up next day had the part with him. It's quite a dangerous thing to malfunction as it cuts the engine.