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#1
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Guys & Gals,
Of late, our 500SL has had interrmittant starting problems (no spark), and episodes of the alarm sounding for no apparent reason! More specifically, sometimes it will start, and sometimes it will not, she turns over fine. Using a spark tester, have determined lack of spark, but then she'll start! And also, the alarm has started 'beeping' for no apparent reason. Some recent history, if this will perhaps help. Over the winter, I replaced the alternator and the battery, and did a complete brake job. First time out of the garage, she drove fine for a couple of days, then she stranded the wife (not good) at the local CVS. When I tried to start her, plenty of cranking, no start. After about 20 minutes, and just before a friend was about to tow her, she started! Similar circumstances have occurred at least three times! Any thoughts? Gene |
#2
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Other's are welcome to correct me if I'm wrong... But I believe that the alarm going off will disable the ignition. Thus the lack of spark. So the problem may just be entirely in the alarm system. Search this forum for alarm system problems. Have you checked for corrosion in the positive battery cable? You have to sorta peel back the insulation at the battery post connector and look "inside". This cable may look good on the outside. What was the symptom that caused you to change out the alternator?You may have some underlying electrical problem. Good Luck!
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Resistance is Futile. |
#3
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Gene
The alarm system disables the starter motor and possibly the complete ignition, not just spark output. So if it was the alarm you would have no crank at start. Are the sparks in the correct order? Bet it's distributor and rotor. Recently mine broke down too (how embarrassing) especially as I like to go on to my colleagues about elder MB quality and how buying a +10 year old car is the ONLY choice. However there I was with my pregnant Mrs and complete start failure (at the traffic lights too!!!) and I had both fuel and spark. After some backfiring and patience (not advised with cars fitted with CATs), she finally started and I limped to my local garage. Careful inspection highlighted evidence of arcing across all distrib contacts. Replaced both and rotors too - all is now well. I would personally just get them changed anyway, especially as you are having electrical problems and there is also no maintenance period on these items; and there should be! Lea
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'93 R129 500SL-32 '89 190E 2.6 - sold in 2002 http://antron.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/i...nature/Sig.jpg |
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