Will an OM601 run without the battery? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

73MB280SEL · #1 04-21-2003, 07:15 PM

Howdy,

I changed out the fuel return lines on Saturday and accidently knocked off a vacuum line. As a result, the car wouldn't stop. That got me to thinking: Will an OM601 run without battery also? I know older 616/617 engines would, but I also know the 601 has a fuel pump located at the injection pump. What I don't know if the fuel pump is electric or if it is driven by a push rod.

Just curious. The fuel line changeout was about the easiest job I've done on any MB to date.

Thanks,

Sholin

sixto · #2 04-21-2003, 07:50 PM

The fuel pump at the injection pump is mechanical just as it is on the 616/7.

The 601 will certainly run above idle. If it has ELR, the idle might not be high enough or stable enough to keep the engine running without electrical power.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

md21722 · #3 04-22-2003, 01:48 PM

Don't believe the OM601's have ELR - and that's not necessary to run anyway.

The fuel pump is gear driven off the pump (not eletrical) if its like on other MB's.

No turbo and no electric/electronic sense lines for that either.

Once you get it jump started you should be fine!

My 603 has run without batter & computer once (jump) started.

Brian

jobah · #4 04-22-2003, 01:53 PM

It will surely run without a battery.

Back about 9 years ago, I helped a friend with a stranded car due to an alternator failure. I drove to him, took out my battery (with the 190D running); switched batteries, and he trailed me home.

I have heard that doing this type of removal can damage electrical components, however, I did not experience any electrical glitches after we did this, and the car is still in action.

Jovan

lrg · #5 04-22-2003, 05:11 PM

I'd be REALLY carefull pulling a battery with the engine running on a newer car, or any car for that matter. Chances are good you could get a voltage spike that could take out some very expensive electronics. Even on the older cars things like the CCU could be at risk. At a minimum make sure all that stuff is turned off and be REALLY sure the battery has been well ventilated so you don't get a nasty battery blowup due to hydrogen accumulation.

73MB280SEL · #6 04-22-2003, 07:19 PM

Jovian,

Now there's a story--two cars and one battery. Gotta love the old mechanical Diesels. LOL.

Yup, I thought about starting the car and pulling the battery, but as Irg said, that can damage other electronic components or even explode (or arc weld for that matter).

I've got an Optima battery which I love. The die hard I had in there wouldn't crank fast enough for a clean start and the Optima started the car at 8 deg F this winter.

Thanks for the info.

Sholin