Ok, quick overview. I have no experience whatsoever with Mercedes, but have worked on my e23 735i (that's a BMW ) and my Volvo 740 Turbo quite a bit, so I'm hoping systems are at least similar. I'm looking at purchasing a 1988 190E, 2.6 that a guy has for sale across the street from my father's shop. He's asking 1800 for the car.

The car is not perfect by any means, but has a very straight/rust free body and the interior, aside from the door panels being dead and the usual dash cracks, is in good condition. IF the odometer is not lying, the car has only 120,000 miles on it (half of what my Volvo had when I bought it).

Problems:

#1 When shifting into gear (auto), the car jerks significantly. I'm used to a little jerk with the Volvo, but this is a pretty decent jolt. Shifts fine when driving though.

#2. There is almost no power right off idle until you reach at least 3,000 RPM, to a point that I believe it may be only running on 3 or 4 cylinders (correctly). Is there some way to get a diagnostic reading from the car as to what the engine management is sensing?

#3. The SRS light is on, similar question to above as I've heard the diagnostic on these cars includes the SRS system.

#4. At low speeds the ABS becomes active (pulses the pedal like it's on slick surface and the brakes follow suit) for no apparent reason, even under grandma style braking. Speed sensor??

#5. Last and most worrisome to me. The car has problems starting initially. It turns over and eventually starts, Is there anything other than a typical cold start Valve on this car. I don't believe it to be an electrical problem, but I'm sure a tuneup wouldn't hurt.

Sorry for the length, but thank you for any assistance you guys can provide.

Steve Geer

Change the OVP relay first.

What's the "OVP relay" (not into MB terminology).

Anything on the other issues?

Over Voltage Protection. It supplies power to the ABS system and the Electronic portion of the CIS-E Fuel System. Basically it protects and powers ABS and Idle Control, Fuel Enrichment Control, and Cold Start Valve Operation portions of the Fuel ECU. Located behind the battery there is a plastic cover hiding the ECU, OVP, Fuel Pump Relay, AC Relay. The relay that is the OVP has a red top with one fuse or two fuses.

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~Jamie
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2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....

Steve,

Use the search functoin on this page to find out some information about the OVP relay. Plenty of stuff out there-its a very common point of failure, and does give symptoms like you describe. The speed sensor went on my 190 and gave ABS problems like you describe.

The jerking on Drive is most likely flex disks (you have two of them i think) or possibly the rear subframe bushings (two before the rear axel, two behind it).

IIRC, No diagnostic sensor on the car that can hold codes, though you can pull codes while the engine is running. Pull plugs and see whats up, do a leakdown to make sure valves arn't burnt...just the usual brand of troubleshooting.

You sound handy-tell the guy how much it'll cost to 'put it right' and make him an offer if you fancy the car. You can get the 'official' manuals on CD from benz for 20 bucks, or check out websites like braingears that host 'em for free. Lots of good info and people on the board too. If you buy parts, buy 'em from phill on this website-it helps support the board, parts and cheap, and phill is a darn good.

cheers,
dan r.

Yes, I'd like to have the car if it's not going to cost the buy price to fix it (I know, it's a Mercedes, but I could buy another one in better condition).

Thank you very much for the information so far!!!!!!!!! I could not find a definition or acronymal break down of OVP after searching the site (I tried).
On the OVP, is that what Phil lists as a "Voltage regulator" under engine mechanical?

Yes, I'm familiar with basic techniques for troubleshooting. How would I pull the codes while the engine is running? That was really what I should have asked.

In the experience of most here, is $1800 too much for the car or too little (hiding something maybe), or just right. Remind you of Goldi Loks. Keep in mind I'm somewhat experienced mechanically, just not with the MB systems/terminology as I stated, so once I get learning them I should be fine with maintenance/repair. I figured the flex disc(s) would be at issue, but wasn't sure if there was some kind of BMW-like driveshaft support that could be culprit. I know it needs engine mounts also.

One more question I had real quick. I've read elsewhere that the center vents on these cars will not pass heat, as they are solely for vent air? Is this correct, because I was really worried that the car was going to need an AC revamping, but assuming the above, I'm relieved.

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!
Steve

Steve,

Check this site out:

http://mb.braingears.com/

Your 190 is a w201 chassis and i believe you have the m103 engine (in benz-speak, 'w' is always a body code, 'm' is always an engine code, a good descriptor for your car would then be 201.103).

Yes, i'm fairly sure the center vent is only for outside air, but you can check the owners manual on that site to be 100%.

You may have a center support bearing (i'm just not sure about automatics!), but I believe the failure mode for them is a vibration, not a harsh shift into gear. If the engine mounts really are shot, they may also cause a harsh shift. I would start with the mounts if they need to be replaced anyway-it improves the idle to no end! Do both of the mounts if you do.

If you are interested in benz (and you shold be! ), I would look for a 190 with a stick shift, though not necessarily a diesel. The car is just too small and nimble to be stuck with a slush box, IMOHO!

I can't tell you anything about the price...in 2001 i payed 8k for mine with half the mileage, but the 16v version is a different beast entirely(it was a DTM car made for kicking the m3 all over the track ). 190e's have a tendancy to be in worse shape than their larger counterparts, mostly though being purchased by owners who do not keep up on maintence. When they are well maintained, I think they are every bit the quality of a larger benz, though many times more utilitarian. The fiddley bits break first...

The best part of benz ownership may be this board, if you are the DIY type.

cheers,
dan r.

Again, thanks for the information. Your coding description was very concise and easy to follow, is there a way to identify the transmission (seems there's a big fuss about that on the forum in some spots).

I will let you know what happens with the little 190. I still have not purchased the car, as I was waiting for responses on here and a couple local sources.

Don't forget I'm a BMW guy too , so you're M3 comment could spark some smart retort from such a poor soul, haha. It's still a German engineered automobile though, so I'll relent.

Thanks once again,
Steve

I almost forgot, I needed to clarify whether or not the "Voltage regulator" listed on fastlane is the same as the OVP