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#1
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1981 380SL Won't Start!
Hello ......my name is Doug and I live in Eastern NC. Hope you all are doing well.
I recently bought a 81 380SL that ran great for three days. Started right up and purred like a kitten every time I drove it for those three days (probably 400 miles or so). Left from a stoplight and noticed a slight sputter but picked right up and accelerated with no hesitation. About 5 miles down the road it just cut off with no spit or sputter. Just cut off like I had turned off the key. Could not get it to restart at all. Pulled it home and started troubleshooting. Checked fuel pump and replaced fuel filter. Didn't appear to have spark at plugs so I pulled a coil off my old Jeep Grand Wagoneer (electronic) and put on Benz. Pulled module box off fender and cleaned connections. I had spark at plugs but appears to be weak? Anyway tried cranking with my Dad spraying starting fluid in breather. It cranked and ran good. Cut it off and cranked & cut off 5 or 6 more times with no problem. Left it running to reinstall breather cover and before I could get it back on it cut off again and it has not hit a lick since then (even with starting fluid). I went and got a universal coil that it called for and still no start. Spark still appears to be weak. Cracked open a fuel line on top of fuel distributor and had pressure. Any suggestions?????? Also I don't have any manuals of any kind with it. What seems to be the best for this model. Also not really important at this point but where are the vacuum buttons located inside the car that release the gas cap door and the trunk lid. Thanks in advance, Doug surveyor3209@yahoo.com |
#2
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Hi Doug. Welcome. Don't know about your other problems, but the gas cap releases when the doors are unlocked. There is no button inside, nor is there one for the trunk, it's the same, except you can manually lock the trunk so it won't unlock with the doors. If they aren't working you must have a vacuum problem. Does your central lock work? You should be able to lock your drivers door with the key, and it will lock the other door plus the gas door and trunk. Unlock and all unlock too. Hope this helps and you solve the other problem. Advice: Get an owners manual along with a shop manual. I bought a CD that had the shop manuals. Ned
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#3
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Sorry, I've got nothing on your no-start condition. If you've got spark and you've got fuel, you should have a running engine.
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#4
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Check the cap and rotor, my 88 ran great until the wear was so bad on the rotor contact that it just gave it up. Maybe you checked already but i did not see it mentioned.
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John 2001 ML 320 1988 560 SL 2009 Toyota Tundra TRD 1992 400 E (sold '07) (bought back, '13) 2008 ML 350 |
#5
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Is the fuel pump running when you crank the starter? Put your hand on it while someone cranks.
If it is, you may have fuel pressure problems. Fuel dribbling doesn't mean there's enough pressure to open the injectors. How did you test the fuel pump? Did this car sit for a while before you bought it?
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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 |
#6
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I would check the fuel accumulator and fuel filter.
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