Does a 1997 E300 have an inertia switch?
 

Is there any kind of inertia switch on a '97 E300? I picked up a car from a friend that has had a front end impact (he rear-ended someone), and am now having what seems to be a fuel flow issue.

Car was wrecked about 2-3 months ago and had no fuel problems prior. I think it even had a new shut off valve within the last year. It sat for most of that time and wasn't started. When I picked it up we cut the remains of the serpentine belt off (had jumped pulleys and was wound up) and the car started immediately and ran fine. Only ran it a couple of minutes to pull into the trailer. Later it started to pull of trailer - started fast and easy. Since then I started it a couple more times, but got harder to start each time, and ran rough, the last time it stalled. Since then it hasn't started and acts like no fuel. I'm just getting acquainted with the 606, so I have not done any tests yet.

So, I was wondering if there was some sort of fuel cut intertia switch on this thing like gas cars have? It acts like it ran out of fuel after only running a total of less than 5 minutes since the hit. Any other theories?

I don't know for sure if it has a switch but I doubt it since it doesn't have an electric fuel pump.

I would suggest checking the plastic fuel lines for bubbles. These make it difficult or impossible to start, Next, how much fuel is in the tank? 1/4 or less can make it difficult to start in combination with bubbles in the fuel lines.

Finally, if the fuel level is at 1/4 or less, an accumulation of sediment (biologicals, etc...) will clog the fuel strainer and make you think it's out of fuel.

Good luck.