The engine on my '84 190E died suddenly while idling and I have'nt been able to get it restarted. I thought it was the coil so I replaced it..wrong. I've got voltage at the switching unit, the plug to the distributor ohm's out ok (per the spec's in Haynes), I'm getting fuel to the injectors. The plugs and wires are good. I could use some ideas on what to check next. Prior to the car dying, it began to run sluggish, little power and then would surge back to full power.

Dave Allred
dla@travelin.com

The power for the fuel computer comes from the "over voltage" relay, these relays cause problems like yours all of the time. Also there is a vacuum hose for the idle valve that comes loose from the bottom of the intake manifold.

I saw the wires that connect to the EHA both broken off at the connector on a 190 the other day. It was weird but I found that someone had taken off the valve cover and neglected to reinstall the tie strap on the harness on top of the engine so the harness just shook all the time!! Let us know what it was.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Thanks for the tips. I replaced the over voltage relay but unfortunately it didn't fix it. Still won't start. Could this problem be the CIS? I need to check the timing to see if it's off. Can the idle valve become clogged and prevent starting? Can the EHA be tested?

Have you actually seen the plug fire when you turn the engine over?? Take out a new plug and insert it into the wire end and ground the other end to the block and turn over the engine. You should see a spark. Also I have seen these engine sling out the timming chain so it could have jumped timming. (I hope not but it's possible)

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM