Fuel Pump Relay 1983 280sl Euro

[carl280sl]

Hello all, I just wanted to post my recent experience with the Fuel Pump Relay. Previous postings state that if the car starts but fails to continue to run, it is the fuel pump relay and not the pump. However, I was driving through town and the car died. I checked the fuel pump by running a wire from the battery to the pump and started and idled the car for a minute or two. Without this jumper, the car would not start at all. I removed the glove compartment and found the relay on the back of the firewall mounted to a bracket. I replaced the relay. The car fired right up and now runs fine.
Thanks for all of the previous posts which helped me suspect the relay.

[Steve C]

Carl

I have the same car here in northern California.

My car failed to start for a week and had to have the car
towed to local indy on sunday.

Was told that it started up monday just fine. Car needed an "e" service and a smog test.

They just called to advise that the car would not start this morning and the cause was "fuel pump relay".
Replaced and working fine again.

Car passed smog test here with flying colors and now ready for me to pick up tommorrow.

This is the first repair item except for the hangers that
hold up the tail pipe etc since the car was bought ten years ago.

Steve
'84 280sl 5 speed 191k

[carl280sl]

Hi Steve,

It is good to see that there is another 5 speed out there. I wonder if the car started because it was on a slope. Mine started immediately after the tow for just a minute and then died again. The relay cured it fine. I bought a spare one now to keep with me.

Carl

[nobby]

Not rare on this thread, are they?

Where did you get the relay and how much?

[carl280sl]

Hello Nobby,

I got the relay on Ebay from BenzBaron for $95.

He still has one listed.

Carl

[nobby]

Thanks. My MB dealer, usually and surprisingly affordable, wants my first born for that relay.
Sometimes I actually think about the benefits of that trade.