I'd be prepared to jump it before towing it.

Sounds more like a bad battery or ground as Matt mentioned long ago.

Maybe your accident knocked a ground loose.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

My accident? I never had an accident. And the stereo the headlights. the gauges and lights all come on no problem even when turning the key they never dim. But I guess I can try to jump it before.

But I think maybe your confusing me with someone else? Because I never mentioned an accident or ever had one?

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1992 SEL 600..... 143,000 miles

Took the car to the shop, got a call back from the mechanic later today and he tell's me it;s NOT the starter. I guess he tested the starter and its not the problem, but then tell's me he's pretty sure its the vaccum pump that controls the locks.

When he said that it made sense because if you read a previous post of mine, my door locks were working using the remote and i couldn't use the key to lock or unlock my drivers door. So this made sense when he told me this.

My only question is... is it true that the vaccum pump c an prevent the car from starting? I read a lot about the pump but never saw where it affected the car to not start?? Any ideas?


Also does anyone know a rough estiate on how many hours it would take a shop to change the pump, because he told me the pump runs 400-500 bucks but i forgot to ask him how many hours of labor that would take?


Thanks in advance.

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1992 SEL 600..... 143,000 miles

Sorry Will, you're right. I was confusing you with another member with a white W140 who had a minor fender bender.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

No problem. I got kind of worried and thought u might known something I didnt hahahaa.

I'm hoping this vaccum pump will solve the door locks/remote problem and EVEN start the car.

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1992 SEL 600..... 143,000 miles

92 600SEL did not have starter lock-out by security alarm or the pump. Only 93 and up had it. 92 circuit is very simple: ignition switch to NSS to starter solenoid to ground. I'd check braided ground cable from car body to the engine first. Then NSS and ignition switch.

Hmmm, the mechanic said that he thought it would be from the central locking system then mentioned the pump? I;m pretty sure the pump went bad or something when the locks wouldnt work with the key anymore.

But it sounds like he's saying this is whats preventing my car from starting?

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1992 SEL 600..... 143,000 miles

Cuz as soon as he mentioned the vaccum pump and everything it made sense, especially when he said he tested the starter and it wasnt the starter. So I figured somehow that pump can control the car not to start?

Because if this has nothing to do with the car starting then I wont worry about it until after it gets back on the road and I can take it to my regular mechanic.

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1992 SEL 600..... 143,000 miles

Something to keep in mind. A tow truck to your trusted mechanic is cheaper than having a $600 part replaced only to find out it did not solve your problem. Additionally might I point out the danger of leaving a 140 Chassis S600 parked anywhere disabled and unattended. The car is worth much more in parts than it is a whole car. They get about $500 a piece for used double paned side glass. Not to mention why someone might want your "full leather" interior. Call a tow. In the grand scheme of things its really cheap. Additionally AAA will give you 100 miles of free towing on a service call.

I second this sentiment.

A V12-powered W140 is the WRONG CAR to have a mechanic throw parts at in hopes of solving a problem.

Have it towed to someone familiar w/ these cars and you will save much money and more headaches.

I got it towed. its an all mercedes shop ( the guy is german to) and everyone that's been there that i know liked him and liked his work.

But I dont know either way, and havent been able to find an answer would the vacum pump or the central locking problem cause the car not to start?

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1992 SEL 600..... 143,000 miles

If the vacuum pump ran until the battery died. When you turned the key did you hear a click?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

When I turned the key you couldnt hear anything inside. But you could hear like a series of two clicks I believe it was from uptop of th eengine and then it running down by the fan at the bottom of the engine.

The battery is good though, he even said that the lights and gauges all wouldnt of came on if the battery was dead. And also said the car wouldnt of started the 3 or 4 times after it had this problem from the begining.

Im just trying to figure out if it's possible that the car wont start due to the central locking system. I cant find anything on that but it sounds like that is the reason.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?

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1992 SEL 600..... 143,000 miles

I am not familer with the W140, but on the W126 which isn't all that unlike your car the trunk vacuum pump is on its own system. Other then draining the battery I fail to see how one would prevent the car from starting. Unless on the W140 its somehow related to the alarm system.


If your battery is dead the lights will still come on inside the car, usualy the radio will as well. The starter draws a lot of load, a lot more then anything else on the car.

Turning the key and hearing a click is usualy a dead give away for either a dead battery or, a bad starter solinod.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yea i figured the clickin was a starter or a battery, but once the car started up after this problem how could it be the battery? Then after that he said he tested the starter and it was fine.

Then he mentioned the central locking system and said he believed thats what was preventing it from starting.

Everything i hear he is a good mechanic so he knows what he's talking about.
But I would say the battery isnt out because after this problem it still started 3 times after that. So if it was the battery it couldnt of started after this problem, then not again, again 2 more times.

Then when he told me its not the starter I was like hmmm ok. But it made sense because my remote wouldnt lock my doors for the past month or so, and I was unable to unlock or lock the drivers side door with the key. So when out of the blue he mentions the central locking system it made sense.

But it doesn't seem likely this would prevent the car from starting?

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1992 SEL 600..... 143,000 miles