Idle and Steering problem, 1981 380SLC
 

The car has been idling at about 1500 rpms and will not go down even after the car has warmed up. It idles so high it chirps the tires when you put it in reverse. I thought maybe the idle control valve, but i have no experience with mercedes. The steering wheel seems to be very loose, it has about 3" of play to either side, and makes a clicking noise when you turn it. The car has 180,XXX miles on it. Any suggestions would be great. or you need more info about the car or the problem feel free to ask.

thanks

jeremy

Check for disconnected hoses and the like....sound of hissing anywhere ?

Rap the idle valve with a screwdriver handle. (Alloy can with a rubber strap holding it down, just right of center, front of engine looking from radiator).

Turn ignition off...disconnect idle valve from loom...restart motor.
Any change ? If yes....Idle valve faulty.
If no....possible idle controller faulty or not powered.

Check OVPR up above the relay box,( I seem to remember, in passenger kick panel.....someone confirm ?..).......has a fuse in the top..10amp.

Replace if blown...check date on OVPR...if 2000yr or earlier...replace .

Other possibilities are stuck distributor weights.
Jambed/misadjusted throttle linkage.
Return spring to throttle missing/broken.

Constant vacumm to advance side of distributor.

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