85 380SE No Start
 

Hi Guys, my car doesn't want to start after sitting for a week. I tested the ignition parts, replaced the ignition control unit with a spare I had. I have spark at the plugs, but the plug was wet with fuel when I pulled it to check for spark. I've run the battery down trying to start it, jumped it with another battery and still no go. Is there a way to check if my cold start valve is getting power? I haven't tried spraying carb cleaner yet, that's my next low-tech test. I know the OVP powers the cold start valve, I haven't checked it yet. Any ideas?

bump, anyone?

How cold is it there? Have you tried starting/idling with starting fluid (remove fuel pump relay first).

It's been warm here, around 45-50 degrees,with lots of rain. I haven't had a chance to try carb cleaner yet. Should I jump the relay terminals after removing it? The relay was replaced a few years ago when my brother owned it. I haven't checked the OVP yet either. The rain has stopped this week but I've been busy getting ready for another race trip to France. I'll try the carb cleaner tonight after work. Thanks for your response.

Try the carb cleaner but a wet plug=fuel unless plug is fouled with oil. If it has been rainy/damp suspect leaky ignition wires and distributor cap. If it is dry now it may start right up. Also, confirm that the spark plugs were replaced according to MB schedule. Mark

I was thinking it was wet ignition, I removed the cap and sprayed a little wd-40 in it, after that I pulled a plug to see if I was getting spark. It was so I was assuming the ignition was fine. The wet (fuel) plug made me think it was getting fuel, but not sparking. So if the ignition is firing, there's fuel, and the air intake/exhaust is OK, the bugger should fire up, no? Intermitent electrical gremlins somewhere in the OVP or fuel relay circuitry? Damn I love my benz, just not this week :rolleyes:

An update, my daughter gave me a hand after work yesterday. I had carb cleaner at the ready, she cranked it over....before I could spray it, the car fired right up, grrrrrrr. It started fine, ran fine, I took it for a drive and all seems normal. I'll assume it was only wet ignition, though I did have spark and it wouldn't start.

Damp ignition plus probably marginal spark plugs (greater resistance means more ignition leakage to ground). Happy to hear it started. Mark