car isn't starting up
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 8
Youngtimer
car isn't starting up
I searched already, and it think it might be the fuel pump relay, but these are the symptoms (1995 E320):
About a year ago, the car wouldn't start up one day after work. I tried cranking a couple of times, but it wouldn't start. After about 3 tries it started up. Didn't happen again for a couple of months, and then the same thing, about once a month.
In the last 2 months it has started happening at least once every 2 weeks if not more often. By this point, i realized that when i turned the key to 'on', if i didn't hear the fuel pump start to hiss, then there was a 90% chance it wouldn't start. so now when she won't start, i sit there and keep turning the key off and on until i hear the pump come on, and then i can crank it and it starts, though once in a while it will start even if i don't hear the hiss of the pump.
the last straw was last night when it took about 45 minutes to get it going, and i noticed that the check engine light came on too, after a few seconds, which i had never noticed before.
when it finally started, it ran perfectly and i used the incident as an excuse to drive as fast as possible, to get home 'before anything happened'.
so, sorry for the long post, but wtf is wrong with the car?? and if it IS the fuel pump relay, where is it so i can fix it?
i remember reading a post a while ago about older OVP's made in Austria being cr@p or something like that, could that be the problem?
there's nothing more embarrassing than cruising into a gas station with some good tunes on, filling up, sliding back into the car, and then.... 'ah, *****..'
About a year ago, the car wouldn't start up one day after work. I tried cranking a couple of times, but it wouldn't start. After about 3 tries it started up. Didn't happen again for a couple of months, and then the same thing, about once a month.
In the last 2 months it has started happening at least once every 2 weeks if not more often. By this point, i realized that when i turned the key to 'on', if i didn't hear the fuel pump start to hiss, then there was a 90% chance it wouldn't start. so now when she won't start, i sit there and keep turning the key off and on until i hear the pump come on, and then i can crank it and it starts, though once in a while it will start even if i don't hear the hiss of the pump.
the last straw was last night when it took about 45 minutes to get it going, and i noticed that the check engine light came on too, after a few seconds, which i had never noticed before.
when it finally started, it ran perfectly and i used the incident as an excuse to drive as fast as possible, to get home 'before anything happened'.
so, sorry for the long post, but wtf is wrong with the car?? and if it IS the fuel pump relay, where is it so i can fix it?
i remember reading a post a while ago about older OVP's made in Austria being cr@p or something like that, could that be the problem?
there's nothing more embarrassing than cruising into a gas station with some good tunes on, filling up, sliding back into the car, and then.... 'ah, *****..'
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 1
From: British Columbia, Canada
1987 560SL
I searched already, and it think it might be the fuel pump relay, but these are the symptoms (1995 E320):
About a year ago, the car wouldn't start up one day after work. I tried cranking a couple of times, but it wouldn't start. After about 3 tries it started up. Didn't happen again for a couple of months, and then the same thing, about once a month.
In the last 2 months it has started happening at least once every 2 weeks if not more often. By this point, i realized that when i turned the key to 'on', if i didn't hear the fuel pump start to hiss, then there was a 90% chance it wouldn't start. so now when she won't start, i sit there and keep turning the key off and on until i hear the pump come on, and then i can crank it and it starts, though once in a while it will start even if i don't hear the hiss of the pump.
the last straw was last night when it took about 45 minutes to get it going, and i noticed that the check engine light came on too, after a few seconds, which i had never noticed before.
when it finally started, it ran perfectly and i used the incident as an excuse to drive as fast as possible, to get home 'before anything happened'.
so, sorry for the long post, but wtf is wrong with the car?? and if it IS the fuel pump relay, where is it so i can fix it?
i remember reading a post a while ago about older OVP's made in Austria being cr@p or something like that, could that be the problem?
there's nothing more embarrassing than cruising into a gas station with some good tunes on, filling up, sliding back into the car, and then.... 'ah, *****..'
About a year ago, the car wouldn't start up one day after work. I tried cranking a couple of times, but it wouldn't start. After about 3 tries it started up. Didn't happen again for a couple of months, and then the same thing, about once a month.
In the last 2 months it has started happening at least once every 2 weeks if not more often. By this point, i realized that when i turned the key to 'on', if i didn't hear the fuel pump start to hiss, then there was a 90% chance it wouldn't start. so now when she won't start, i sit there and keep turning the key off and on until i hear the pump come on, and then i can crank it and it starts, though once in a while it will start even if i don't hear the hiss of the pump.
the last straw was last night when it took about 45 minutes to get it going, and i noticed that the check engine light came on too, after a few seconds, which i had never noticed before.
when it finally started, it ran perfectly and i used the incident as an excuse to drive as fast as possible, to get home 'before anything happened'.
so, sorry for the long post, but wtf is wrong with the car?? and if it IS the fuel pump relay, where is it so i can fix it?
i remember reading a post a while ago about older OVP's made in Austria being cr@p or something like that, could that be the problem?
there's nothing more embarrassing than cruising into a gas station with some good tunes on, filling up, sliding back into the car, and then.... 'ah, *****..'
I had the same issue and same symptoms with my '87 190 16V.
I had the relay(s) changed for much $$$$ and the mechanic was saying that it would happen again soon, as the fuel pumps were gone and the relay would burn out again.
It seems that corrosion (water in the gas?) would cause a high current draw in the pump motors that would burn out the relay, or cause a fire! He would not warranty the work.
Scared me enough to change the pumps too.
More $$ = No problems after that.
This may not be your problem, but I suggest you think about it. Do you run your tank low? Do you have cold mornings with condensation forming in your tank? Low quality fuel?
I'm sure you take good care of your car, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose it.
Good luck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 17
From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Zed
Look behind the battery for a small green cube with four prongs that plugs into its socket.
It has a fuse built in much like the OVP.
After market unit may be black, not green, but still a small cube.
Ed A.
Look behind the battery for a small green cube with four prongs that plugs into its socket.
It has a fuse built in much like the OVP.
After market unit may be black, not green, but still a small cube.
Ed A.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, NE
1995 E320 SE, 162,000 Miles (Sold) 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet 2014 ML550
Zed
I had the same issue and same symptoms with my '87 190 16V.
I had the relay(s) changed for much $$$$ and the mechanic was saying that it would happen again soon, as the fuel pumps were gone and the relay would burn out again.
It seems that corrosion (water in the gas?) would cause a high current draw in the pump motors that would burn out the relay, or cause a fire! He would not warranty the work.
Scared me enough to change the pumps too.
More $$ = No problems after that.
This may not be your problem, but I suggest you think about it. Do you run your tank low? Do you have cold mornings with condensation forming in your tank? Low quality fuel?
I'm sure you take good care of your car, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose it.
Good luck.
I had the same issue and same symptoms with my '87 190 16V.
I had the relay(s) changed for much $$$$ and the mechanic was saying that it would happen again soon, as the fuel pumps were gone and the relay would burn out again.
It seems that corrosion (water in the gas?) would cause a high current draw in the pump motors that would burn out the relay, or cause a fire! He would not warranty the work.
Scared me enough to change the pumps too.
More $$ = No problems after that.
This may not be your problem, but I suggest you think about it. Do you run your tank low? Do you have cold mornings with condensation forming in your tank? Low quality fuel?
I'm sure you take good care of your car, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to lose it.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 8
Youngtimer
thanks much guys, i'll swap out the relay first and see if that helps.
finally, any idea on where to get one (and how much i might have to pay), or should i just order it from the dealership?
thanks again!
finally, any idea on where to get one (and how much i might have to pay), or should i just order it from the dealership?
thanks again!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 17
From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
The fuel pump relay should be around $30.00.
Try your dealership as they may look up the correct part number based on your VIN.
May pay a bit more but better chance of getting the correct part
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 2
From: Seattle
1990 300ce
I'm definitely no expert here so please correct me if I'm wrong. But I had to replace my fuel pump relay in my car and it was actually included in the MAS Control Unit (which is much more expensive that $30 unfortunately).
From memory, I was told that the older 124's have a separate fuel pump relay, but the later ones (which include my 1990) have the relay imbedded in the MAS Control Unit.
I just did some quick searching on a parts website and I can't find the fuel pump relay or the MAS Control unit listed as a part available for your car. So maybe I'm way off here.
From memory, I was told that the older 124's have a separate fuel pump relay, but the later ones (which include my 1990) have the relay imbedded in the MAS Control Unit.
I just did some quick searching on a parts website and I can't find the fuel pump relay or the MAS Control unit listed as a part available for your car. So maybe I'm way off here.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 8
Youngtimer
i just bought a new OVP and a fuel pump relay from autohausaz.com. let's see what happens...
PS is the fuel pump relay in the relay box behind the fuses in the engine compartment? thanks!
PS is the fuel pump relay in the relay box behind the fuses in the engine compartment? thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 17
From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
I'm definitely no expert here so please correct me if I'm wrong. But I had to replace my fuel pump relay in my car and it was actually included in the MAS Control Unit (which is much more expensive that $30 unfortunately).
From memory, I was told that the older 124's have a separate fuel pump relay, but the later ones (which include my 1990) have the relay imbedded in the MAS Control Unit.
I just did some quick searching on a parts website and I can't find the fuel pump relay or the MAS Control unit listed as a part available for your car. So maybe I'm way off here.
From memory, I was told that the older 124's have a separate fuel pump relay, but the later ones (which include my 1990) have the relay imbedded in the MAS Control Unit.
I just did some quick searching on a parts website and I can't find the fuel pump relay or the MAS Control unit listed as a part available for your car. So maybe I'm way off here.
That's why I recommended trying a dealer with the VIN as parts sometimes change in a model year run.
