1980 280SE/ 116/ New Fuel Pump- Still No Start!
 

Ok guys, here's the story:

Car wouldn't start one day, so i checked all the usual places you would think... Found spark at the engine, and engine will run if you spray starter fluid in the intake. Looked at the fuel pump and found power there, but the fuel pump was not kicking. I just replaced the fuel pump and tried to start her. I tried for a few minutes and nothing. I went back to the fuel pump to see if there was any noise coming from it, and nothing. Now it seams as if there is no power to the fuel pump. I made sure to secure the correct terminal to the correct post on the pump, and i did.

Does anyone know where the fuse panel on these cars is? Is there a fuel pump regulator?

Any help would be GREAT!!!!!

Only 63,000 miles on her =):)

Oops
 

Well, i thought i knew what i was doing- but i guess that is why you learn the most from failures!

It turns out i had the power terminals reversed! All is good!!!! Now i just need to get new copper washers to stop the minor gas leak coming from the pump connection to the fuel filter.........

This is an interesting comment you made on your mistake.
On my car, 1987 300SE you cannot make that mistake - the power to the terminals of the fuel pump will only fit one way. The terminals are a different size !
Perhaps MB improved the system over the years.

Fuel Pump
 

On the 116, the terminals are the same size and can go either way. Oh what grief that caused me yesterday.........

BUT!~

I must say, that was the easiest job in the world! It took less than 10 minutes to remove and install!

Another point - on my car ...
When you dismantle the pump, If you reverse the lead wires - the pump will work backwards . Bad when the pump is in the car , yet used successfully to clean the pump from crud when off the car and connected directly to 12 volts.
Even then you only hit the pump with brief intermittent power - so as not to burn it.
Glad things worked out for you.

I do hope you cleaned out your tank and installed a new filter when fitting the new pump.