Jesse923

Hi,

The other day I was driving my 1984 500SEL and the engine just shut off. The car shuddered first and then stalled. I still had control of the steering so I pulled it over to the side of the road and had it towed... There was no smoke or anything, engine just stopped working. Now when I try to start it the engine won't turn over. I checked the battery and gas and it is fine, any clue what could be causing this problem?

Wanted to check to see if it was a easy to fix problem before I went to the trouble of bringing it to a garage. The AAA person and a garage said it may be a fuel pump, but dont want to replace it without checking it out with you guys first.

I should also mention that the car was shuddering a little bit while it was cold for about 2 weeks previous.

Thanks for your help!

jello2594

Diagnosing a malfunctioning car over a message board is a great idea!
I'll put 10 bucks on the fuel pump or fuel pump fuse.

Jesse923

I should also mention that before this breakdown, the car had high hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide readings. Does this lend you all to further support the diagnosis of fuel pump, or does this lead you to think it is something else?

Thanks!

Jesse

elbe

By the comment "Now when I try to start it the engine won't turn over" what do you mean? It won't turn over by itself or the starter won't turn it over?

Jesse923

I mean that it seems like the spark plugs fire and the pistons go, and the belt turns when I turn the key, but the engine won't start up.

Jesse

HLG600

If the spark plugs fire and the belt and pistons move, yet there is no ignition, it is a fuel problem (no fuel is being sprayed into the combustion chamber). I agree with Jello2594, it probably is a fuel pump/fuse problem. Or, it could even be a fuel line problem. Good luck with fixing the car.

Regards