Hi all

I hate this when it happens!

I replaced the alternator and the air pump with new units. Before I reinstalled the new ones, I degreased that side of the engine and hosed it down sparingly. I did not do the intake side at all.

I also pulled the valve cover off to check things out. No problems, chain fine.

Reasembled everything.

The car ran fine before I did my planned maintenance. Now the engine cranks fine, but no start.

I double checked the plug wires - all correctky installed. I find no wires disconnected anywhere. I do not see anything on the exhausr side of the engine that seems electronic in nature that I could have ruined or got wet when I cleaned that side of the engine.

I see a crank trigger - maybe I got it wet, but I suspect it gets wet anyway when driving in the rain.

What do y'all think I should check?

Thanks.

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

first is whats missing. fire, fuel or comp.

george

No fire. That's why I was suspecting the trigger getting wet with cleaner or water, or both. That's about the only electrical item in the area that I can see. Maybe there's something else?

How does one check the trigger?

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

spray the inside of your distributor cap with WD-40 might have gotten some water in there

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Closing the store
Benzbonz.biz on your smart phone or tablet.

Pulled the cap -dry.
Cleaned the bottom of the trigger.

Now I have spark, but no start.
What's a safe way to test if I have fuel at the injectors?

The car sat in the garage all winter. I started it once a month. It fired right up every time. All I did was change the alternator and the air pump! Sheesh!

I did notice a mouse had taken a little bit of firwall insulation covering. I looked all over and could find no wires the critter tried to strip. I pulled the cover off the fuel pumps/filter/accumulator and everything is ok in there. I check ed all the fuses.

What controls the fuel pumps? How do I check the circuit?

Thanks for your help.

It's too nice out to be working on it instead of driving topless!

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

Make sure your belt is not too tight. I had the same problem a day back, just felt like my belt was loose and I tightened it (on 87 260E). The next thing I knew was it had starting problems that I never ever had. I also had put some engine degreaser and some water to clean the engine's front area. So I thought it was water and I can wait a few hours and it will start fine. Infact, it did start couple of times fine the next day (today) but then failed to start again. I figured it had to be the tightened belt. So I loosened it a bit and guess what, the car started just fine, several times. I am not sure what the reason is but a belt which is tighter than needed causes starting problems.

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Saumil S. Patel

The belt is on an automatic belt tensioner - seems like the same amount of pressure as any of the other later model cars with the tensioner.

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

O.K., I see, then it cant be the problem.

__________________
Saumil S. Patel

It started!

I've never checked for fuel on a fuelly before, so since nobody answered, I figured I'd loosen a line at the fuel distributor. I cranked a while and the fitting got wet. So, I must have had fuel all along. I never did hear the fuel pump run, but then again, I never do. I had nobody around to help me so I could not climb under the car and touch the fuel pumps to see if they were operating at initial turn of the key.

I sprayed the crank sensor down heavily with contact cleaner. I jiggled wires. I took the air cleaner asy off and followed the crank sensor wire - found it to go the ignition module. Disconnected and reconnected all of those wires. I soaked the sensor down with some more contact cleaner. I cranked the engine like crazy, and it started. And ran smooth as soon as it started. I figured it would at least shake rattle and roll. Nope, just kicked off and ran like it should.

I wish I knew what was going on.

I'll try to start it again tomorrow after work.

Anyway, the new alternator and air pump are real quiet. This engine runs quiet now - am happy.

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport