benz 190 wont start or do anything help please

Hello everyone I have a problem with my 1985 190e 2.3
the car has been running fine for a year.
suddenly when i let my sister use it things changed.
she went to start it and it's dead
all the other electrical things are working
but when i try to turn it over it does nothing.
i turned on the headlights and tried to start it and there was no power decrease in the lights. it seems to be no power going to the starter or possibly the ignition coil.the starter has worked fine with no signs of trouble
one other thing do the 190e 85 have a diagnostic system?
thanks everyone.

Hi, I have the same year and model you have and I recently had the same problem. Iwas driving one day, everything was fine. Turned the car off and tried to re-start nothing. Problem turned out to be battery failure. They can go suddenly, mine was nine years old. Hope this helps!

thanks but i think the battery is fine because everythig else electrical works. i can hear the fuel pump hissing when i turn the key to the on position.
also headlights are very bright.
seems like the power is not reaching the starter.
i need to know what components could prevent power to getting to the starter such as a relay or something or possibly the ignition or ignition coil.
thanks for any info


Lamont

Have you checked the inhibit switch on the transmission? Try starting in neutral instead of park. I think there are two switches so if the park switch has failed, the neutral one should allow you to start the engine.

I second the inhibit switch

[Mike Murrell]

Shot in the dark.

Does the car have an anti-theft device? If so, there may be a toggle switch under the dash that has been "accidentally" switched the other way. It happens.

[mplafleur]

My 190E anti-theft will only flash the headlights and honk the horn. I'm not aware that it can inhibit start. I'm sure that if it did, it would disable the fuel pump.

I used to bang on the starter with a wrench on my old '72 dodge to get it to spin.

Starter relay?

[Ted2222]

Had a similar experience with my car. Turned out to be starter solenoid. You need to determine if the small terminal on the solenoid it getting voltage when the ignition switch is turned to the "Start" position. If not, then look at circuits from the ignition switch through to the solenoid. If voltage is there, it is either the solenoid or the starter itself. I understand that the solenoid grounds through the starter, so both units would have to be checked.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

thanks everyone i will check everything you all have posted.l
I will keep you all updated on my progress.
again thanks a lot.

llawes