SL500-5.0 Liter V8-Starts in Safe Mode-Morning

[jdonnee]

Hi- I need some help. Three times in the past week, when the car sits overnite it starts in the safe mode in the first start of the morning. Try it 2-3 times and it still starts in safe mode. Let it sit for about 30 minutes then it starts fine. I have a similar situation a year ago and replaced the battery and it has been running fine up until this past week.

I am also taking to shop to have new plugs put in after 20K miles.

Suggestions

[mbdoc]

What year car? What do you mean by "SAFE" mode??

[jdonnee]

I might have used the wrong word in calling it a safe mode. Here is what happens.
1. Early morning-sits all night
2. Dont touch the gas pedal
3. Turn ignition key
4. Car starts but engine revs up and down from about 500 RPM to 1500 RPM. Keeps doing this and has a funny smell.
5. Shut off and restart and it does the same thing.
6. No Check Engine lights come on.

It is in an independent MB shop as we speak. MB shop owner duplicated problem this morning. Said the 96 does not have a lot of codes in computer and no abnormal codes showed.

he mentioned something about an EA or TA as the potential source becasue of the fly by wire throttle.

Any suggestions based on this write up.

[jdonnee]

Sorry, it's a 1996 SL500

[mbdoc]

There is a bulletin about the throttle actuator on those engines that can have that type of problem. MOST likely your problem.

[jdonnee]

How do I search for the bulletin? I have never used any of the MB web sites. Can you point me in the right direction.

Thanks

[jdonnee]

Do you think that it could be the MAF?

[a2aa]

have you replaced the gasoline cap or make sure it's tight. what is the mileage on the car?

[Ray652]

Originally Posted by M.B.DOC

There is a bulletin about the throttle actuator on those engines that can have that type of problem. MOST likely your problem.

I believe that you answered the question initially posed in this thread and at the risk of being accused of hi-jacking this thread, I apologize in advance.

After careful scrutiny of your signature I think it is safe to assume that you probably know a thing or two about MB products!

In light of your obvious expert knowledge, perhaps you can answer this question for me?

I have a 1997 SL500 28,000 miles that found me 4 weeks ago. I gave up my 1998 E300 TD which I loved dearly but I agreed to be adopted by the SL!!

I have removed the ashtray / cig lighter module and made a simple "drop-in" bracket which holds my Sirius satellite radio. The radio disapears nicely behind the existing ashtray door. Power comes from the 12 volt leads from the cig lighter but my problem is getting the thin antenna wire around the back of the center console.

Before I mess anything up, I need know how to thread the satellite antenna wire which comes from the rear shelf, under the carpet on the passenger side towards the front center console. I need to get it up and through the rear of the center console and into what used to be the ashtray cavity so that it can be plugged into the satellite receiver.

In other words....what panel(s) mght need to be removed etc in order to accomplish this? I did the same to my E300 but that was easy dead compared to the SL.

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[lynns]

Originally Posted by Ray652

I believe that you answered the question initially posed in this thread and at the risk of being accused of hi-jacking this thread, I apologize in advance.

Rather than hijack the thread why don't you send him a PM=Private Message then you won't have to apologize?

[JimF]

Originally Posted by jdonnee

Three times in the past week, when the car sits overnite it starts in the safe mode in the first start of the morning.

. . . safe mode . . . don't look now but your computer training is showing. . LOL . .

It's called "limp home" mode . . .

[jdonnee]

This was my problem. $850.00 later and my problem is fixed.

[JimF]

Originally Posted by jdonnee

This was my problem. $850.00 later and my problem is fixed.

That's par for the course. . .

For the future, check out MENU#24 on my web pages; it's all about the ETA. Probably more than you wanted to know.