E-Class (W124) 1984-1995: E 260, E 300, E 320, E 420, E 500 (Includes CE, T, TD models)

idle hands

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2004 | 08:56 AM
  #1  
jonS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, Ireland
idle hands

Hi,

my '93 W124 is giving me trouble ......

When I go to start in the morning, (Cold) the engine cranks and starts up well, but immediately cuts out.
The only way I can get it going is if I start with the gas pedal slightly depressed, hold it in for a minute, then let it try to idle. This usually works okay, but during reverse & steering moves, the idle drops way too low and it sometimes cuts out. ??

Once she has been driven for a few mins, everything seems to run better, but the idle looks really low to me, about 550-600 ? With a slight diesel type sound to it ...

Any ideas ??

ps warm starts are usually fine....

help
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2004 | 08:07 AM
  #2  
13benz's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
98 C-230
Hi, have you put a tune-up on it latley? plugs,fuel filter, air filter? that you say it sounds like it is "deiseling" makes me think the timing is set wrong. if that is possible on your car. if it has a regular distributor, i would check things out with a timing light. mine is electronic and not adjustable as far as i can tell. if yours is electronic it maybe a crank sensor, but those usualy cut out the other way (they cut out when they get hot) change/check filters and plugs before wasting $ on parts you may not need. hope it works out, off to work, cheers.
Reply
Old Oct 25, 2004 | 02:41 PM
  #3  
mhorn's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, Va.
1991 300E
This is a very common problem for 103 engines. Mine does the same thing. Starts instantly with engine cold or hot, but stumbles and stalls out as soon as I release the key. I took it to a Bosch injection certified mechanic and they couldn't find anything wrong with it. There are a ton of things that could be wrong with the car. I personally think it is either fuel related or computer related. Bad plugs and distributor would cause rough running but you would think this would affect the engine at all rpm ranges, not just at idle. 550-600 rpm sounds a little low. Mine idles at about 650 as best I can tell. There is a note from some repair manuals about incresing the fuel pressure on the lower EHA, but you need a special gauge for this.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:21 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE