I drove my 83 380SEl down to my sisters (approx 30 miles) for Thanksgiving. After turning off the car it will not restart. Engine turns over fine. Pulled coil wire from distributor cap no spark!!! Should I replace the coil or maybe coil and ignition module? Are there any fuses or relays that may be the problem? Does anyone have any ideas? All nearby shops are closed until Monday.I need to get the car home if I can. Please Help!!

Any help will be appreciated!!!
Thanks

To check for proper coil operation, use a test light on the primary side of the coil. If it blinks the coil is at fault, if not, the control unit or the green lead or the sender inside the distributor. (Be sure that the green lead is plugged in fully on the bottom of the control unit.)

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
300E
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM
OWNER OF MB AUTOWERKS .COM

benzmac,

I have a similiar symtom to my car 82 380 SEL. I was driving homr from work suddenly the car just went dead. Tried to start it but its just crank and the engine wont catch.
Before this happend I was playing with the idle / air mixture (to lower the idle) Seems like when I was driving the idle was to low then the car died and wont start again.

No spark from the coil, and smell fuel from the intake area. Check the coil and saw a green lead/cable from the coil to inside of the fuse box somewhere but could not tell what it is.

What is the problem ???? what is the green lead/wire does....please help........

Thank you,
andy:(

Rkc,

If you unable to resolve the issue, consider calling Mercedes Roadside assistance, http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/owners/clientcare/roadsideassistance/index.jsp#

On two occassions (the first story could have been very ugly, but in the end I became a believer in this service as another resource), I've called the 800 number and was back on the road within hours. I'm a DITY mechanic for most things, but on a weekend while traveling, I needed the part from the dealer and the Roadside worked. The phone call is free, they will have the MB mechanic on Duty call you (if there is one local) and you can discuss fees. Usually it's 1.5 time the hourly rate (minimum 1/2 hour) plus the parts. If a mechanic is not local, they may have another shop (like AAA) contracted through another roadide service who will call. No fee until they show up and start work......

Good Luck.

Rkc,

I had a similar experience with my 380SE, only that symptoms started as intermittent stalls, then very often, and entually won't start, very lucky I still got home. Found to be faulty ignition module.
I was told that the ignition module often fails on these models, so , after this bad experience I now have two modules installed, one as the backup...feels much safer and reliable.


82-380SEL

The wires on the coils goes to the ignition module, diagnostic socket, and fuel pump relay in fuse box. I think the green wire goes to the dignostic socket.
I think the green lead Benzmac was referring to is the (think) one that goes from the distributor to the ignitin control module. This is the "control" wire, it provides signal for module to control coil. If this is faulty then no/bad signal and thus no spark.

Thank you very much guys.....

I will check on the wire before I call the roaddie...

I will let you know.


Andy:cool:

Ignition module was the problem
 

Thanks for all the replys, Since there was a reply to the post, I guess someone elso had the same problem. Mine happened a year ago but anyway it turned out to be the ignition module. After installing a new one it fired right up!!! Drove it 1 month and lost timing chain!! Very expensive, trust me!! If you hear chain noise, go ahead and fix immediately, but thats a different story.