Table 1 shows three common electrical system related problems of the 1998 Mercedes Benz E430.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Battery problems | |
| Ignition Module problems | |
| Starter Solenoid problems |
While driving 10-15 mph another vehicle hit consumers vehicle on drivers side. Seatbelt did not restrain consumer properly as he was tossed from side to side. Consumer was injured in accident. Vehicle stalled while driving. Acid damage from battery due to missing vent hose. Brakes squeaked, dealer replaced front pads and rotors. Glove compartment broke.
The vehicle has exhibited symptoms for 15 months resulting in $2,000 in attempted repairs: replaced ignition and key, k module, and air regulator. Any and all the following symptoms may and do occur without warning: engine light goes on, bas asr, bas, emergency break light, defective display light, defective bulb, all warning lights go on at once. All the lights will clear when restarting the car, and the engine light will turn off in a day or two. Mechanically the fuel gauge and rpm gauge will swing wildly while the speedometer swings or drops to zero while in operation (hazard 1), typically the smell of burning wire (hazard 2), the transmission fails to go from a stopped position past the first gear, down shifts abruptly to the point of almost being jerked into the windshield, nearly causing an accident in October 2010 on college road, olive branch ms (hazard 3). This is a result of electrical issues because the transmission issues do not accur until a certian sequence of electrical events occur. The symptoms are always present in some form daily but hazards are intermittant. They are escalationing again. There is no doubt to the cause being a deteriorating wiring harness and the car is unsafe.
Stalling, abrupt engine failure, fail to or delayed start: frequency - 6 times per year, no warning. 1/yr - fail to start and delayed starting for several minutes; 5/yr engine stopped/ stalled while operating at speeds from 35 to 65 mph. 1. During the delayed started there was no engine noise, I. E. No generator/turnover occurred, even dash lights failed to light; then started - no error message nor check engine appeared. 2. During the stalls at speed in gear, the engine died with no warning and eventually started again with repeated key-turns. Multiple incidents of engine failure since 2008. Without warning or any sign of a problem, the engine completely shuts off. This occurs: while starting - no response , while stopped, driving at surface street and highway speeds, turning at low speeds and even backing up. Have replaced/repaired or inspected plugs&wires, wiring harness, k40 relay, fuses, battery, mass air flow sensor, crankshaft position sensor, egr valve, fuel filter, ecu chip, fuel pump/relay/lines, vacuum lines, air filter, tensioner, harmonic balancer, vibration damper, ignition control unit, solenoid, test of coil primary and secondary resistance, O2 sensors, ignition switch, idle air slide, harmonic damper . . . And the search continues. . . This is an accident waiting to happen (and according to several posts on this site, it already had) note that several diagnostic scans over the 7 years shows no error codes and the mechanic has been unable to replicate the problem. Afterward, the car starts almost immediately or within a few minutes. History: bought the car used in 2005 with 92,000 miles in florida, no accidents, no hx of damage, florida (no water damage), regularly serviced and routine maintenance is up to date. Thank you for the means to report this serious problem.