2002 Mercedes Benz CLK320 Replace the fuel filter

This is more likely to be your throttle position sensor than a fuel filter. The TPS sensor transfers the motion of your foot on the throttle to the throttle body. When this sensor goes bad, no throttle response will be present.

Here is another issue that is common to this vehicle. Often times the Crankshaft Position sensor will get moisture damage to the sensor itself as rain can often times collect around the sensor. The sensor can be viewed by placing yourself at the drivers fender with the hood open. Look behind the motor to the top of the transmission bell housing. You will see a sensor mounted in the upper side of the housing (only sensor mounted here, should be a 2 wire sensor). This is your crankshaft position sensor. When the sensor shorts it losses signal and the position of the crankshaft. When this happens the vehicle will turn off. It can often times be restarted later but will kill the car for a period of time. Many times by unplugging the battery you can get it to come back. I have seen this on a few MB vehicles and chasing the issue is not easy since often times the fault is so intermittent that is will set no fault codes giving nothing to diagnose off of. I would recommend inspecting the connectors at the Crankshaft sensor for rust or corrosion. Disconnect the electrical connector from the Crank sensor and inspect the inside contacts. If you see signs of rust or any sign of corrosion then this is more than likely your issue. You can use electrical component cleaner (available at auto parts stores) to clean up the contacts of the wires and sensor. However if corrosion is too bad you may need to replace the sensor and connector. Keep me posted as to what you find.

If your not seeing a response in throttle. When you psuh on the accelerator when this happens do the RPM's rise and the car doesn't move, or is there no raise in RPM's, almost like the accelerator is not even attached to the engine?

This has to be a problem with the Throttle Sensor. From what you are describing the only component that can cause no throttle response is the TPS sensor. Since it has been replaced twice already and has not fixed the issue I would say possibly the sensor is not the problem however the Circuit that services the sensor may be. You may have poor contact at one of the connectors or perhaps there is a pinched wire in the circuit that is grounding out intermittently. If the sensor shorts to ground you will get no throttle response and it will be very intermittent if it is not hitting a ground point all the time.

A donation is not necessary as this is a free service. However if you feel inclined to do so next time, it can be done when the question is asked and then your question will be responded to usually within 24hrs. I appreciate the gesture.

Now back to the problem. It's unfortunate that there are a lot of poeple just trying to make a buck but throwing parts at a car solves nothing most of the time, just empty's your wallet. Throwing a throttle body at it may work but if it doesn't your out another grand. Here's what I would try first. Below is a diagram. The circled image is your throttle body. The arrow is pointing to the connector at the throttle body. Now this image is reversed so the throttle body will actually be at the back of the motor. Find the connector I've draw the arrow to.

Now disconnect this (car off keys out). What I want you to do is look at the internal connectors (small pins). Do any of these have any sort of corrosion on them? Is their oil in the connector? Do they all look clean?

Next, holding the plastic connector in one hand pull on the wiring to it slightly and look at the pins. Do any of them move backwards? Do any appear to be very loose?

What we are checking here is to make sure that this is not being caused by a floating electrical pin. Sometimes the plastic retainers can become brittle over time and will actually pull out slightly due to movement of the motor. This creates a very intermittent and nearly untraceable issue.

After you have inspected the connector, plug it back in. Now with the vehicle in park and the motor running, rev the motor. If you have throttle response continue. Now have a friend lightly pull on the harness of the Throttle body. Give it throttle again. If you loose throttle response at anytime here your electrical connection is your problem and can be remedied by replacing the platstic electrical connector.

If you have no change, try this next time the issue happens. Turn the vehicle off and disconnect and then reconnect this electrical connector. I have a feeling that your issue is more wiring related than component related. Get back to me with any results, also next post if you can give me your vin # I will check for any know wiring or throttle issues for your particular vehicle.

Here is my contact info

www. Gfimotorcars. Com

gfimotorcars@yahoo. Com

I'm located in Southern California. When you get a chance to check the wiring let me know what you find. I'll see I can find any service information as far as updates, recalls, or service bullitens that may relate to this issue. Feel free to email me at the address above.