I have to tow it home last week. This morning, I checked fuel pump (it work)and swap out the coil. It still would not start. Any suggestions.

Jack

Jack, if the no start situation happened suddenly without warning it very well could be that the ignition control module (mounted on the driver' side inner fender) has failed. A new one is $2,500 or so from a MB dealer ... and they need to look up the ICM for a 1992 300SL because one for a 300CE won't show in their parts system. If you know someone who owns a 1991 or 1992 300CE try swapping the ICM from their car to confirm that yours is bad. I went through this same situation with our 1991 300CE in the past year. No used ICM's are available and they cannot be rebuilt ... new was the only option. So confirm that the existing one is bad before going that route.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks for your reply.

I already called for part this morning, the part is very expensive.

Jack

Did you check the fuse and the OVP relay mounted behind the battery?
This is a typical problem in the W124 which prevents starting.

there are several causes why cars won't start. no ignition spark, enough petrol, flat battery, dirty connections, no fuel pressures. try to look on these things. It might be because of a bad ignition module, faulty alarm,courtesy light switches, bad speed sensors, bad coil or rotor arm.

When you say 'wont start' do you mean the car does nothing or does it crank but not catch?

The more info the better.

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-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831799-post13.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/831807-post14.html

Thanks for all the reply...I did buy a relay last week, the plug has two extra connections. After I verified with parts on Monday that it is a newer design. I will try it this weekend.

Jack

I measured the crank position senor, it was 825 ohm. Is this correct??

Jack

I towed my car to the shop this morning. It's confirm to be a bad ignition module. The cheapest price I found is $1500. Does anyone know where I can find one cheaper.

Jack

Jack, $1,500 sounds like a bargain to me ... provided it's a new ignition control module. I paid about $2,000 for a new one ... so if that's the cost of a used one I would opt to spend the extra money for a new one ... another used one may fail anytime then you're right back where you started, less $1,500.

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Fred Hoelzle

It is a pain for old car owners like me. The part is almost 1/2 of car value.

__________________
1996 E320 since 1/16/08, 171K miles as of Feb 2011

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1989 300CE - R.I.P. Dec 29 2007
Other MBs (sold): 1992 300E-24 - 1979 350SLC - 1984 230E - 1990 300CE

The part is new, price is $1575+tax...or I can send it to Flordia to rebuild my old one for $1150. I will flip a coin tomorrow.

Jack

Jack, unless you're getting the price quote for the new ignition control module from a MB dealer I'd be very suspicious. These ignition control modules cannot be rebuilt because the insides are epoxied ... so the remanufacturers cannot determine what components are inside them. I've talked to Beckmann Technology (a remanufacturer) and that's their explanation. As I mentioned previously I bought a new ICM from the local dealer ... it's one for a 300SL as the dealer's Parts System doesn't list one available for a 300CE which has the same engine.

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Fred Hoelzle

it seems to me...that going forward it won't make much sense to buy a used w124 with a 104 engine..

am i missing something here? does the 103 engine use a different type of system...?

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1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

Yes, the M103's have a different design. The early M104's in 124's and 129's are known for going bad. For a while new EZL's weren't even available from the dealer. Be glad they have them available again! I would stay away from used as it is most likely an older/inferior design..one which we all know is prone to failing.

For the $$$ this would be a Great time to swap over to a Megasquirt II w/ fuel and ignition control.

Jonathan

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Blue Ridge Mercedes
Jonathan Hodgman
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Enthusiast Service, Restoration & Tuning.
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