HELP!! Pre Purchase Inspection w/NO Start
 

Hello Forum Friends:
I am looking to pick up a 1992 400e tomorrow;
However the car needs ignition tumbler/ignition key and I am NOT able to start Or drive it.
Is there an alternative way to start car ???? OR how can I tell the condition of the Engine AND Transmission without starting car??? Everything on the car is clean and price is/might be "Right" ;So those are the main two components that I am trying/hoping to assess their condition.
Please Help , Advise, Warn. Etc. THANKS All In Advance Chance

Assume engine and transmission are shot and make your offer accordingly.

Yep, pay just over scrap price and you can get out of it if the car turns out to be a problem.

Has this car been sitting any length of time? Is a easy ploy, for a car with a bad engine / trans for the owner to lose the key. . .

Do you know the seller, and the history of the vehicle? If the seller is a know source give it a try. If it is a C/L sale giving $500 for it is more than they would get from the scrapper.

How much are you willing to do?
 

Normally, you can get the tumbler out if you can insert the key. You can use a remote starter switch hooked up to the engine bay fuse panel. You can ask "someone" how to hotwire it, all the info is out there if you are intent on finding the info.

Unless you have some urgent need to buy this car, without being able to start it you obviously can't tell what you're getting into. Just one of any number of major things wrong could easily mean thousands in repairs. If you could even just insert the key and turn it to the power (engine off) position, you'd be able to check the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) plug in front of the battery and read the codes via the flashing LED.

V-8's are great, but they can easily be a very deep money pit even on a normal running 400E, let alone one that can't be started much less driven. I agree with a previous poster, if you're willing to gamble with $500 then it might make sense. Otherwise, I'd run not walk away.

Chance... boils down to ... what would YOU pay for a car you have no knowledge of that you cant start ??

We can all guess as to why but its your dollars.

Pay $0.10 per pound, maybe $0.12/lb