1989 mercedes 300E engine shuts off while going down hill or while slowing down, what can i Do?

Question

I have taken it to dealership, but they say that since it does not happen while in service, there is nothing they can do, it suddenly dies, engine shuts off, while decelerating, then I put car in neutral and it starts again, need help.

Answer 1

I'm wondering if it has to do with any or a combination of your engine's idle setting, fuel richness setting and sparkplug timing. Its possible that some or all of these may need to be "raised" or "increased". I can't be too sure about that because you mentioned taking it to the dealership without the problem being solved. Have you tried pulling your gear selector from "D" to "3" or "2 (for steeper hills with slow traffic)" when going downhill? If you do this just before before going over the edge of the hill, I know it will change down the gear from 4th to 3rd thereby forcing the engine to rev a little higher. This should eliminate the low revs which -possibly- could be associated with the "uncommanded" shutdown. I don't expect this method to eliminate your porblem but it just might prevent the shutdown when going downhill.

Answer 2

i have the same problem with my car. It just shuts off every time i go down a hill near my house. It tends to just happen in the mornings when the car has not been running for long. I changed the battery on mine and it stopped. I think it was because the battery was flat. Also the battery was not earthed properly because the was it was installed because a few of the screws that hold the battery in place were missing.

Answer 3

could be oil, s type jags had similar prob, something to do with oil sensors; ie; when down hill or braking oil goes to front, if sensor at back will think low on oil and cut out.
i could be completely wrong!!

Answer 4

adjust the idle speed/ you can do this mechanically under the bonnet, jusy try one or half a turn. not sure in which direction. its trial and error.

Answer 5

scrapyard