Hello,
This is my very first post and I am hoping that someone may be able to help me assess the damage to my MB so that I don't get ripped off again. When I purchased my car, I knew that it needed work and I thought it was a good deal because I bought it way under book value, so it became my project. Recently (yesterday) as I was leaving my community I was stopping at my gate when I realized that my car had stopped completely, all the lights were on so I didn't think it was my battery. I had to wait about a minute and the car restarted, I managed to drive it a few feet and get out of the way of traffic, but it died again. Each time I restarted it, it died within a couple seconds. I also figured out that if I kept applying the gas, it wouldn't die, it was just when I let up on the gas. I tried each gear, but pretty much had the same results. I recently had my car in the shop for some various other problems and I've also had my engine rebuilt. The most recent problem involved my A/C unit which I was told the compressor was bad, it wasn't replaced though, and I thought maybe this could be contributing to the problem...an overview of some of the problems that I'm having that I know about and am working on (maybe one or more is actually contributing to my current condition):

1) A/C doesn't work-motor was rebuilt
2) Cruise control doesn't work (didn't work when I bought the car, didn't really need it so it wasn't a concern)
3) Needs new brakes--also, the strangest thing, about a week ago, the rear wheel started to rust over very badly, just that one and none of the others

The nearest MB dealership around my neighborhood is about a half hour away, and I don't trust the authorized MB authorized mechanics that I have brought it to so I wanted to have some insight and possibly some tips on what I should watch out for before I bring it in. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Teli

You didn't purchase this car in Eastman, Ga did you by any chance ?
My first thought is the overvoltage protection relay. Do a search on OVP and look to see if there are some simliarities. It is a relay located behind the cover behind the battery and has a fuse in the top of it. It is a simple job to replace if that is the problem.

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Jim

I have done a search on OVP, and I have found some interesting results (this is a really nice site as well, I've even found some projects I might be able to do myself aside from my current dilema...lol)...some easier to understand than others, but one was of interest and it made a comment about the ABS light coming on...well, mine has been, but it has been doing that since I've had the car (before this problem started) and it usually only doe it if the car has been on for a while and I'm driving at highway speeds. Every once in a while it will come on in other circumstances. Also, any instruction or tips that can be given on checking to see if I need to change my OVP would be greatly appreciated as well.
Thank you
Teli

This is great! I just want to thank you guys for replying to my posts, it feels pretty good to at least have something to tell the technician when I bring it in...

by new brakes, I know it needs new pads and rotors (and calipers now that you mention it )
as for the A/C, when I purchased it, it would blow cold air, but I couldn't leave it on otherwise it would drain the battery and my car wouldn't start...but I had the battery prob corrected, but the A/C stopped blowing cold air...then the next thing I know, after the motor on my ac was rebuilt to enable my car to "run" the A/C was working for a bit of time before it stopped working completely...no air, no nothing...not even hot air...

what would cause the rest on my wheel???

Thanks again
Teli

And besides, his car sounds like it's in a LOT better shape than mine.

Teli; All I can say is good luck!! My prayers are with you!!

OVP, of course.
As far as the brakes, it sounds like a caliper is not working. What exactly do you mean by "news new brakes"?
As far as the AC, it could be a lot of things...what is (NOT) it doing?

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J.H.
'86 300E