Starting problem with 230E
 

Hello all,

I have been experiencing starting problems with my 230E (W124 engine). The engine cranks but doesnt seem to catch up. I suspected a fuel pump/ relay problem and so opened up the airfilter cover and poured down some petrol and cranked up the engine again. The engine momentarily starts and then goes off again. As per previous posts on this type of problem... i understand that this could be a fuel pump relay problem. Could there be something else wrong in my car ???
Was I right in diagnosing the fuel pump relay as a problem?. And is there someway to bypass the relay so as to enable starting the car?. And where is the relay located?.

I would appreciate replies from Merc techs regarding this.

Two possibilities either your fuel pump is gone or your fuel pump relay is gone. Try reaching under the car by the right rear passenger area and see if you can tap the fuel pump a little with a wrench or something see if that gets it going. Reseat the fuel pump relay (black box behind the plastic shroud behind the battery and see if that gets it going). My 230E did the exact same thing when I was at a mall parking garage:( When i resat the relay it kicked in and I was able to get home.

Hope this helps...

Location of the Fuel Pump relay
 

Hello yal,

Thanks for your post. But are u sure that the relay is behind the battery ? :confused:

In my 230E the relay box is right behind the fuse box ( on the drivers side) and the battery is on the passenger side. And i didnt happen to see any relay close to the battery.

Please update me on this.

Location of the Fuel Pump relay
 

Hello yal,

Thanks for your post. But are u sure that the relay is behind the battery ? :confused:

In my 230E the relay box is right behind the fuse box ( on the drivers side) and the battery is on the passenger side. And i didnt happen to see any relay close to the battery.

Please update me on this.

Behind the battery you should see a plastic shroud (cover) that covers the fuel pump relay and the OVP relay. The relays you are talking about behind the fuse box I believe are the general electric relays for things like lights. The fuel pump relay is a rectangular black box on the passenger side behind the battery, behind the plastic cover, recessed into the fire wall....take a look you'll see;).


Here is a thread to help you test it when you find it...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/36327-300e-wont-start-fuel-pump-how-check.html?highlight=amperage+draw

Thanks yal,

I was looking up the relays behind the fuse box all this time. At the moment the car is immobile and is parked at a garage for repair as i couldnt get it to start. Anyway do you think i should change the relay and if so what should be the cost approx.

See my edit above for a thread to help you do some testing of the relay.

It cost around 150 USD new. You might be able to get it cheaper in U.A.E.

Thanks yal,

I was looking up the relays behind the fuse box all this time. At the moment the car is immobile and is parked at a garage for repair as i couldnt get it to start. Anyway do you think i should change the relay and if so what should be the cost approx.

Thanks Yal,

This morn i checked up with the mechanic and he confirmed the problem with the relay, which would cost around 80 USD here. Appreciate all the troubleshooting tips you have given me.

Excellent!