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  #1  
Old 06-25-2007, 12:45 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Moorestown, N.J.
Posts: 7
380sl wont start

I took my 85 380SL out to a store yesterday. Ran great as always! Came out of the store and now it wont start. Im new at MB so any help is appreciated. Seem to have gas. It's now pushed into the garage awaiting my attention.

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Ron
85 380SL
92 C4 Vette
84 C4 Vette
77 C3 Vette
74 C3 Vette
68 Firebird
67 Firebird
64 El Camino
63 Impala
60 Caddy
57 Belair
23 T Bucket
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  #2  
Old 06-25-2007, 01:16 PM
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Location: Falls Church, VA
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Most common cause of a sudden no-start is the fuel pump relay. Lots of posts on how to test - try a search.
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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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  #3  
Old 06-25-2007, 01:40 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
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If the relay gambit doesn't work (I keep one in my glove box, just in case) you might try checking the fuses. They will probably not be blown, but if original, they tend to get slight corrosion (aluminum fuse conductor against brass fuse box contacts) which can result in intermittant failures. I had heard of this but was skeptical about it until my SL failed to start for me in a parking lot. Lots of fruitless component trouble shooting led to the fuses. (Don't ask why we didn't start with the fuses...go figure) Replaced them all with good brass contact ceramic fuses and no trouble since. Changed every fuse in all my old MBs as a precaution.

FWIW,

230/8
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  #4  
Old 06-25-2007, 01:53 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Moorestown, N.J.
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i will check the fuses 1st, being the most inexpensive solution. Where is the relay located? I had an 86 300e and it was easy to spot. this car i didnt see any. if these two dont work i will check the fuel problem. i did seem to have gas & no spark.
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Ron
85 380SL
92 C4 Vette
84 C4 Vette
77 C3 Vette
74 C3 Vette
68 Firebird
67 Firebird
64 El Camino
63 Impala
60 Caddy
57 Belair
23 T Bucket
New at Benz's
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  #5  
Old 06-25-2007, 03:36 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 758
Looks like the relay should be located behind the glove box. I believe you remove the glove box insert to get access. If I am mistaken someone will chime in quickly.

230/8
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  #6  
Old 06-25-2007, 04:17 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Moorestown, N.J.
Posts: 7
i took the glove box liner out and found it. now i need to figure out how to test it. it has six pins
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Ron
85 380SL
92 C4 Vette
84 C4 Vette
77 C3 Vette
74 C3 Vette
68 Firebird
67 Firebird
64 El Camino
63 Impala
60 Caddy
57 Belair
23 T Bucket
New at Benz's
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  #7  
Old 06-26-2007, 01:06 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 91
If you did seem to have gas and no spark, I'd try looking at the ignition control module.

They also get alot of dry joints do a search on this forum under my postings as I have listed which component areas and how to look for them.

Regards

Damian
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  #8  
Old 06-28-2007, 07:04 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: shelby, nc
Posts: 35
My '82SL did the same thing - drove home fine - would not start the next time. It was the ICU. Replaced it with a $50.00 used unit. Has run fine ever since - about 5 yrs.
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  #9  
Old 07-03-2007, 07:10 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Moorestown, N.J.
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i replaced the fuel pump relay, it still wont start. where is the icu and do you think it is that???

have a good holiday everyone
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Ron
85 380SL
92 C4 Vette
84 C4 Vette
77 C3 Vette
74 C3 Vette
68 Firebird
67 Firebird
64 El Camino
63 Impala
60 Caddy
57 Belair
23 T Bucket
New at Benz's
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  #10  
Old 07-03-2007, 07:32 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: ontario canada
Posts: 263
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcs2jr View Post
i replaced the fuel pump relay, it still wont start. where is the icu and do you think it is that???

have a good holiday everyone
I think you should check for spark first, before you go replacing expensive ignition components.
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  #11  
Old 07-03-2007, 10:47 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Moorestown, N.J.
Posts: 7
will do in the morning and i will post what i find. thanks to everyone for the input.

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Ron
85 380SL
92 C4 Vette
84 C4 Vette
77 C3 Vette
74 C3 Vette
68 Firebird
67 Firebird
64 El Camino
63 Impala
60 Caddy
57 Belair
23 T Bucket
New at Benz's
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