S-Class (W126) 1979-1991: 300 SE, 300 SEL, 380 SE, 380 SEL, 420 SEL, 500 SEL, 560 SEL, 360 SEC, 500 SEC, 580 SEC, 300 SD TURBODIESEL, 300 SDL TURBO, 350 SD TURBO, 350 SDL TURBO

My 1989 300SE keeps shutting off when stopped, idling. HELP!!

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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 01:22 AM
  #1  
GrillZ's Avatar
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From: Margate, FL *(954)*
1989 300SE (W126)
Exclamation My 1989 300SE keeps shutting off when stopped, idling. HELP!!

My '89 300SE keeps shutting off when I am stopped.

Whenever I sit and idle for like 10 seconds the car just shuts off. But before it shuts off the rpm's like jump rapidly from like 200 to 900 and just keeps jumping and jumping for like a split second and the car kind of sputters then dies. The only way I can keep it on is if I push very lightly on the gas to bring it to a 900-1000rmp "idle". But whenever it goes lower to like 7-800rmp is dies.....

But it turns right back on and i just have to keep giving it gas.....

Dose anyone know what this problem may be?
If so, what can I do to fix it ?

Other than that it runs perfectly and stays on while moving and everything....but every time i stop i have to turn the car back on.....HELP....


One thing that I thought could maybe solve the problem would to raise my idle settings up 100 or 200 rpm's......which would bring it to like 800-1000rmp which is what I have to do with the gas pedal to keep it on for now....
One problem. I don't know how to. So if someone could tell me how to adjust my idle, please let me know....thnx


THANKS!
-Jordan

Last edited by GrillZ; Jul 20, 2008 at 01:36 AM.
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Old Jul 20, 2008 | 01:41 AM
  #2  
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Your problem is not with the idle of the car, there is another issue you have to address. What have you done so far to try to address the problem, and what kind of service have you recently done on the car?
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 03:32 PM
  #3  
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From: Margate, FL *(954)*
1989 300SE (W126)
My car sat for a little over a year UNUSED.......
It was given to me as a gift from my mothers friend.

I don't know exactly what was done but before it was given to me the previous owner brought it to a mechanic for a full tuneup. But he never gave me likw a list a what exactly was done.

So you think it is shutting off because it has been sitting for loooong time.
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Old Jul 21, 2008 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by GrillZ
So you think it is shutting off because it has been sitting for loooong time.
I doubt that. Things that may be bad are the distributor cap, rotor, wires. Did the mechanic use the proper spark plugs? Air, fuel filters, etc?
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Old Jul 23, 2008 | 03:03 PM
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300 Sonderklasse E
Sounds like you need to test the idle controller.

Underneath the intake sits the idle controller. The problem you are describing sounds like a bad or stuck idle adjuster. It is supposed to be automatic, controlled by the computer. If the car runs ok when you keep your foot on the gas, then you can probably rule out things like fuel delivery, and ignition.

The idle controller only functions when your foot is completely off the gas pedal. If it is stuck and cannot adjust rich/lean, then you will have problems at idle.


Do you have the shop service DVDs? I would recommend going through the test procedures.

It is also possible that taking it off and giving it a good cleaning would get it un-stuck, but you may very well have to replace it.


Let me know......


J,
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Old Jul 23, 2008 | 03:04 PM
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300 Sonderklasse E
Also, I could see the idle adjuster getting stuck after sitting a year. Try cleaning it out.


J.
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Old Aug 7, 2008 | 12:35 AM
  #7  
GrillZ's Avatar
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From: Margate, FL *(954)*
1989 300SE (W126)
Originally Posted by tinypanzer
Sounds like you need to test the idle controller.

Underneath the intake sits the idle controller. The problem you are describing sounds like a bad or stuck idle adjuster. It is supposed to be automatic, controlled by the computer. If the car runs ok when you keep your foot on the gas, then you can probably rule out things like fuel delivery, and ignition.

The idle controller only functions when your foot is completely off the gas pedal. If it is stuck and cannot adjust rich/lean, then you will have problems at idle.


Do you have the shop service DVDs? I would recommend going through the test procedures.

It is also possible that taking it off and giving it a good cleaning would get it un-stuck, but you may very well have to replace it.


Also, I could see the idle adjuster getting stuck after sitting a year. Try cleaning it out.

Let me know......


J,
alright.....I guess i'll take a look at that in the morning...
hopefully i can get her to stop turning off every time i stop....
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Old Aug 7, 2008 | 02:42 PM
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From: Mercerville New Jersey
1991 560SEC Teal 1989 420SEL Ice Blue 1984 500SEC White
Sounds like the fuel pump relay.

There is away to jump the pins to bypass the relay.

Here it is.
http://home.comcast.net/~chwilka/Com...ailureList.htm
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Old Aug 10, 2008 | 11:20 PM
  #9  
GrillZ's Avatar
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From: Margate, FL *(954)*
1989 300SE (W126)
Exclamation

ok.....i sent out there and took my air filter assembly for the first time earlier today and this is what i saw.....

I have somewhat of an idea of what some of the things are under there.....but there are a few that i dont know what they are.

I circled them so hopefully u can tell me what these things are......



RED CIRCLE = ............???????.............




PURPLE CIRCLE = ..........??????????........
YELLOW CIRCLE = .........??????????........
GREEN CIRCLE = ............??????????........
BLUE CIRCLE = ..............??????????........






AND
WHERE IS THE IDLE CONTROLLER/IDLE ADJUSTER ??
WHERE IS THE IDLE AIR TUBE ??
WHERE EXACTLY WOULD "MOISTURE IN THE IGNITION AREA" BE ??

(Below I included some extra shots of the "under the air filter" area.)
If you could please help me locate these few things above with your paint program or something to circle the objects.

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/1780/img1277hx6.jpg
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/2223/img1279ei4.jpg
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/5296/img1282tq1.jpg
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/7972/img1284rz3.jpg



THANKS!
-Jordan

Last edited by GrillZ; Aug 11, 2008 at 02:29 AM.
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