Sorry if I'm reposting this, I am a beginner to both this thread-stuff and Mercedes!
I put my recently purchased 1987 560 SL in winter storage (I swore to the lady I bought it from I'd do this). Didn't disconnect the battery (stupid stupid stupid), went to start it yesterday, batt dead. Jumped it from another car (properly as per my owner's manual), the alarm went off, we mustve opened the car with the valet key and tried to start with valet key, I think. I'm pretty sure I was using the valet key. ANYWAY, it still wouldnt start, and since the battery was totally discharged, we disc it and put on a trickle charger. Now battery is in the green, the engine turns but won't fire. It's like it's not getting gas--I dribbled some in the carb and got it to fire, but not catch.
Did the alarm disable something? I went back after the battery was charged, locked, unlocked the door with the master key, tried to start it, no go.
I don't know enough about these cars and the owner's manual doesnt say a darn thing about how it disables the car. Or is it a fuel pump or relay...
How should I proceed? My husband is a pretty good mechanic, but never worked on a Mercedes, just toyotas, fords, etc. so he's a little hesistant to start ripping things apart.

Check the fuel pump relay. Actually you might smack it one for a diagnostic.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

So how do we remove the glove box? Easy or difficult, and what kind of tools shall I bring?The vehicle is located a few miles from our "shop" (ie, all the car-fixin' tools). I like the idea of giving it a good smack, that works for the dog, the kids and the computer, why not the car!
And, thanks for the quick assistance! I was a little upset this car let me down the first time--I get a little touchy when my husband repeats "you shoulda bought that mustang instead".

You do understand that your car is almost 20 years old?

Don't remove the glovebox, remove the under dash panel.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Steve, I like old things. Cars, trucks, furniture, husbands. Even you!

My point was directed to your point about mustangs. I'd put the reliability of a 87 MB against an 87 Mustang any day even with the fact that the MB has probably three times the systems involved.

The point in this case is that one has no idea where that car has been for most of its life. It may not all be there. Cars that old often wind up in the hands of consumers. As in: those who consume. Those who take but don't put back and then sell when there is only the image left.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Ok, I take it back! I'll take anything old on 4 wheels with a v8! This car was meticulously maintained by a very rich woman. I'd also throw in there she was a doctor and very anal, but I don't want to offend more than I already have. She would take the car to the local MB dealership and think nothing of dropping 595$ for a "check up" before she'd drive it. I have all of the receipts for everything, and the only problem I inherited was a tear in the original top (she forgot to fold in, instead of out) and a horn that does not work. Horn issue was tracked down to the steering wheel 2 years ago, and since she didn't want to disable the air bag (or the possibility of disabling the air bag), she never had that fixed. I solve the horn-less situation by hollering very loudly and gesturing with my hand in an appropriate manner.
Seriously, we're going to dissasemble the air bag--I see where TSB's have had recalls and such on them anyhow. Anyone who hits me in my classic SL can only hope that I'm severely injured from lack of airbag, as I'd fly out of the car and put them out cold.
we're going to go try the smacking of the relay--I'll let you know how it goes!

Does this car really have a carb? I thought those were long gone by 87.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

The last US carburated car was the 1977 230. There never was a carburated MB V8 at least not since WWII.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Guys, I already told you I was a 'tard. No Danica Patrick here, cant tell a clutch from a hole in the ground. Barely able to put oil and gas in it! To make things simple for me to understand, my husband said it was a carburerator. But you KNOW what I meant. Instead I coulda said "we dribbled some stuff into the thingie on top of the thingie, after he took the thingie cover off".

Anyway, Steve, we (he) pulled the thingie under the glove compartment off, and saw a few thingies (relays), gave the fuel pump relay as indicated per the Alldatadiy.com diameters a good whack (as per your diagnostic advice) and still no firing. Plenty of spin on the engine (not a motor, as motors are electrical and engines are fuel-combustible) but no fire.

SO he got under the car and I directed him to find the fuel pump by the thingie (read "differential") as per alldata...he saw 2 pumps, got frustrated by the dirt on the floor of the storage area, and we're going to go back with a testing-thingie, the alt-thingie-meter to see if it's getting power. He didn't hear it switch on when I turned the key, so perhaps the fuel pump just went bad on me.
Thanks for all your help, I'm really enjoying this site. Good questions, great advice, lots of fantastic people here. I'M STILL GLAD I BOUGHT THE BENZ INSTEAD OF THE MUSTANG

Good for you. Now fix that car...

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician