89 300SE not starting right away.
 

As of late my car has not been starting up right away after it has been sitting overnight or for a few hours. I will crank it and it will act as if it wants to start, but won't. If I stop and then try it again it works everytime. It might take 2 or 3 seconds, but it will always work after the first time. Sometimes, I smell something burning under the hood. Once there was smoke in the air filter compartment, I took it off and started the car and haven't had that problem again. When I start the car my lights go dimmer, until it starts. Any ideas? Spakr plugs??

1989 300CE... oops

Defective Fuel Accumulator. This is a check valve that maintains fuel pressure overnight. When they go bad the fuel pressure is not maintained, thus the failure to start on first try.

Just a guess, but that was my problem when I had the no start in the morning symptom.

Steve

Could also be leaky injectors: replacing them got rid of the need to start twice, as you describe, on my 300SE (same M103 engine).