why does my Benz shut off after putting in gear
What model, year, options, and mileage? Have you had a tune-up? Do you keep up with the rest of the maintenance schedule? Do you use the recommended fuel grade? I could offer sugestions, but with the lack of info, it would be just throwing crap at a wall and hoping it sticks.
it is a 1988 Benz 300E 166,000 miles i bought it for 1000.00 and drove it about 75 miles the battery went out on it and i replaced it the man i baought it from had just replaced the fuel regualor. After replacing the battery and driving a few more miles it stoped at a stopsign and shut off i have had to start it and move only just a few feet at a time to return it back home. i use high octane gas in this car. Hope that may help you in helping me with this problem. Thank you very much for even trying. about the maintenance and tune up I have no idea.
A 20-yr old Benz with 166,000 miles purchased for $1000? Without good maintenance history, I would immediately start with changing all fluids and filters, and giving it a complete tune-up, with new wires, plugs, distributor cap, rotor, and have the timing checked. This should be able to be done for under $200. I could do it myself for just over $100. This should give you a good baseline to determine what ever else may be wrong. Or, at least get it good enough to keep running.
Is the check engine light on? I have no idea how to get the codes from a 20-yr old Benz, but finding a good mechanic with German car experience would be a good first step. I suspect you’ll be going to him a lot.
I agree that the car should be checked out completely, but I have my doubts about the $200 cost estimate:
distributor cap = $56
rotor = $26
wires = $105
plugs = $12
oil filter = $6
tranny filter = $33
air filter = $15
Anyway, you get the idea. $500 is probably closer to reality, but you should have it done anyway. Also, take a good look at the brakes, suspension, steering components. A good independent benz shop can read the codes and give you some idea where to start.
Is this what they meant when they said “there’s no such thing as a cheap used Mercedes”?
“There’s nothing more expensive as a cheap Mercedes”
Or:
- Buy the best example you can afford.
- Insist on full maintenece and repair history.
- Have the car checked out prior to purchase.
Benzman
Yup, some folks buy these without knowing what they are getting into. It’s not unusual to have to spend a couple $1000 to get a neglected car up to snuff. It’s better to find out what it needs before you buy it.
The previous owner changed the fuel pressure regulator. You don’t know if s/he did that from a wild guess, or from actually measuring the fuel pressure (not likely). There is a long list of things to check; but, start with changing the fuel filter.
If the check engine light is on, you can obtain the trouble by jumpering two terminals in the check box under the hood. A repair manual will tell you how to do that. It would, at least, be a starting point.