I found that cold starting my 1987 260E to be really difficult. I only recently bought this car. Anyway, I would crank for many many times until it would start. Sometimes it doesn't start and I will just run out of battery and have to bring another car over to jump start. The other day I came across the article on web which suggest to turn the key to the on position, then turn it off, then on, then off a couple times and then try to start it. Surprisingly, of all surprises. It seems to be a lot better. Today this morning (cold) i went down to the underground garage and tried the tactic. I turned it on then off, wait a bit, on then off, wait a bit, on then off, wait a bit, on then off. Then turned the key to the start position, the car would crank a bit and miraculously the car actually started. Wooah!! I haven't been happy in quite a while since I bought the car a few months back.

However, I am really perplexed. Why would it be doing this? I know this isn't exactly the ideal or normal way to start a car, but if it works its better than sitting there for half hour just cranking until your battery runs dry (which is what has happened before).

Now that we have better symptoms (better behavioural knowledge), any of you might have a better diagnostic of what could be faulty and should be replaced so that I can just crank and start the car?? Thanks in advance.