Hey Guys/Gals,

I have an 04 NA with 73k. Today was the first real cold day of the winter here and my car wont start after work! I replaced the crankshaft position sensor 6 months ago with a brand new CPS and it has ran great since.

After driving to work and sitting all day it went from a fairly warm morning to snowing.

It turned over strong and started immediately but ran for only 2 seconds and stopped.

The second time I cycled the key all the way off, waited a few seconds for the fuel pump to ensure there was fuel pressure and tried it again. It barely started and ran for 2 seconds and died.

The third time it didn't start BUT unlike the CPS problem where the starter cranks for a while, it stopped after a few seconds.

I don't think it's the battery because it's about 2 years old now and was a heavy duty high cold cranking amp battery. lights stereo and everything are bright.

When the CPS failed before I took the time to check and do the RCM fix. No obvious defects noticed and looked great compared to the pics on this forum but I beefed up the solder and cleaned all the contacts.

When the storm passes I'll be able to reset the battery and jump the battery if it's dieing. I can leave the car in the parking lot for long enough to get a camshaft position sensor delivered so I just ordered a Bosch off of Ebay for $67 on a hunch.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181548621339?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Hoping I can fix the problem without getting it towed to a shop. Would be great if it was just the Camshaft sensor.

I've found others but the symptoms aren't clearly the same.

I'm stumped!

Water in the fuel lines?
Dieing battery?
Camshaft Position Sensor?
Some other sensor?

ANY IDEAS?!

 

I'm thinking your Skreem module may be playing games.. disconnect battery for about 10-15 minutes and try again.

 

Was your replacement CPS a Bosch one? I've heard of off-brand replacements from parts stores dying in a matter of days to weeks, so I wouldn't rule it out even though it's only been six months. I'd pull codes first as it's the easiest thing to do and could point you to something immediately.

Otherwise I think your troubleshooting is pretty sound. Trying a jump and a camshaft sensor replacement both sound like reasonable ideas, although I think the camshaft sensor will generally set a code.

 

Can you hear the fuel pump?
Have been seeing more of the fuel pump relay coils failing lately.

 

Should have tried here for Bosch CPS
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...A%20Automotive

 

doubt it is the camshaft sensor....but, maybe the fuel filter.... and tighed1 has a good possibility too, but weather turns cold and you have a fuel problem...start with the fuel filter.....a little water and cold make ice....lol

 

fuel pump or fuel pump relay

 

It's been a while with the storm. Finally blown over and in the 40's.

The CPS was replaced about 6 months ago with a new BOSCH CPS.
I ordered and have received a BOSCH CAMshaft position sensor but haven't installed it yet. I think I will since it's so easy on the front of the engine.

The OBD2 code is P0335, 'Crankshaft Position Sensor malfunction'. That toally blows me away as it's 6 months old! I've only put about 5k on the car in that time. It shouldn't have failed this soon!

To recap. This happened after the car had sat and a winter storm moved in bringing the temps down in to the 20's, sitting in my work parking lot all day. The fuel tank is 80% full. The battery is nice and hot reading 12.6 volts. The RCS, I re-soldered the connections and cleaned the contacts when the BOSCH CRANKshaft position sensor was replaced 6 months ago, along with cleaning the air filters and new oil/filter.

Oddly when I was reading the error code, I heard a whirring noise from the dash/engine compartment. I don't typically sit with the key in that position for long so it may just be normal and I'm overly aware.

I doubt that it's a water in fuel problem for a couple reasons, typically water condensates when there is much more volume of air to condense water out of. Colorado is a relatively dry climate.

Later today I'm going to swap out the CAMshaft position sensor, re-seat the connection to the CRANKshaft position sensor and reset the computer by pulling the battery cables. It's also in the high 40's so I hope that will help for whatever reason.

I'd hate it if it just magically worked. Like to know what's wrong!


Any thoughts?

 

My money's on a flaky, temperature sensitive CPS connector.

 

I have a similar problem with my '04: I replaced my CPS and it ran fine for a couple of weeks, a couple of days ago, when I got home, my key came out of it's plastic holder, I removed it, took the holder apart and replaced the key, but when I went to start the car, it would only start for a second and die. it would do this three times and then quit for good. I could reset it by disconnecting my battery, but again, three times and then nothing.

I first thought it was my key and I somehow missed up the chip inside the case; I played with it several times and can see no damage.

I then thought it may be the skreem since the door lock and unlock buttons on the key bob have never worked, even with new batteries. I'm thinking that maybe the key thing just was the final step in the skreem going out??

I'm now reading up on the skreem and would appreciate any advice. Maybe it is my CPS and I've installed a bad one? No codes lit up.

Dave

 

In a dark room can you see the red light on the remote?
Are you sure you got the little bitty transponder in?
Might just have to unhook battery from car wait 10-15 min and then check.


After 3 failed attempts to start you will have to unhook battery for 10-15 min. Before you can try again, you can only do that 10 times before the car ecu becomes unusable 30 no start self destruct.

 

My chips are all in on... you lost the transponder chip when and where ever your key came apart.. See the thread for replacing FOB for where it should be sitting. Call me 180 .. I can't buy just a coincidence your skreem bit the dust the same time your key flaked.

 

New update guys, I could SKREEM!

Saturday, 4 days ago from this post. I spent about 2 hours in the parking lot checking different things off my diagnostic list. Fuel pressure is good (squirts gas when key is turned), Battery is very hot an fully charged, still no start. It's not throwing a code after pulling the ground. I was stumped plus the wind was whipping about 30mph so it was a pain having the hood open. ARG!

Found a good shop locally that has great reviews and knows Mercedes. Had the car towed there. Guys at the shop fought the computer for 5 hours to get a P2071. SKREEM module..... So since it's the holidays it's going to take a while to get the part in. They want both keys to program them and install the module. It'll be a while no matter what.

So does that make sense to you guys? the skreem module?

The guys at the shop are confident. I just don't want to keep ordering parts unless they're needed.

 

Rdooley, It sounds like it could be your SKREEM but for me, Mrmiata and Speedy4x4 were right, I looked up how to open up your fob and discovered the little black plastic piece that I thought was a piece of plastic that broke off when I opened it, was actually the transponder. I put that little guy back in, and bingo, she started right up. Thanks, Speedy and Mrmiata. Dave

 

hmm, the Key fob..... The key hasn't come apart. It's in good condition but I haven't tried it with the other key yet. Oddly the other key is half broken and wants to fall apart all the time!

It is easier to understand that the key may be damaged as it's traveling about in my pocket all day. I just know that I'm not paying for a part that's not part of the solution.

Good call on the key, it's a piece I hadn't thought of.

 

Thanks for the update Dave.. I cringe when I hear possible skreem modules acting up.. I don't want to see any real pattern developing on them!

 

You are getting 3 start attempts and dies? Pull - replace battery cable and same thing? I guess no alarm is going off with this. Seems when it does disconnecting for about 30 minutes and trying again works. No
'funny thing happened with the key' ... as the missing transponder is going to kick in the skreem module.