An '82 380SL would have K-Jet with electronic idle speed control. If it's a US car, it would have a catalytic converter, an oxygen sensor, lambda computer, and frequency valve and some miscellaneous sensors.

So you start the car OK with a cold engine, but if you run it for a few minutes, shut it down, and then restart:

- it is hard to start
- once started, it wants to idle at 500 rpm in Park
- dies if you give it gas

Do we have the symptoms correct?

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe