E320 starting problem
 

My wife had problem starting the E320 a couple of weeks ago and over the weekend I experienced the same. I had to press the gas pedal to get it to start. I did check the OVP and it already has been replaced with the replacement 000 540 67 52 (along with the wiring harness). It starts fine now but I would like to fix the problem before happening to my wife and kids again.
Thanks!

Maybe it's a fuel pressure problem.

Have you checked your fuel pressure regulator?

Possible causes:
1) The engine needs a tune-up (spark-plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor)
2) Fuel pressure regulator (as mentionned by the previous reply)
3) Clogged fuel filter
4) Weak fuel pump
5) Dirty injectors
6) Inoperative cold start valve injector
7) Defective temperature sensor
8) Defective check valve in the fuel system
9) Bad electrical contact at coil
10) Tired battery
or a combination thereof.
JackD

All are good points, except #1. This engine has all electronic ignition. There is no distributor cap, rotor, or spark plug wires. This engine has a coil pack, with three coil wires and three high tension leads that "piggy-back" to the next cylinder (each coil wire is responsible for firing two cylinders).

As the coil wires are made of solid copper, they rarely go bad. So the suggestion here would be to replace the three resistor boots on the three coil wires - about $7 each. An engine with a miss is usually due to a poor connection between one of the boots and its coil wire.

My best guess is the problem is still a fuel pressure / supply problem.

Thanks for the head-up Suginami. You're totally right on the subject of electronic ignition. I've been living in the dark age for almost 12 years with my 1989 where new the technology was not still invented.
I too would be looming at the fuel system first.
JackD

Thanks. I will try fuel regulator. Is it near by the OVP?

So far, no one has mentioned the fuel pump relay. Next time it won't start give the relay a tap with the handle of a screwdriver.

The fuel pressure regulator is located right besides the fuel pumps in front of the right rear wheel (under the car, and under a black plastic cover) The OVP is located behind the battery in the engine compartment.
JackD

E320 fuel pressure regulator is in engine compartment.
Front , left side , 2" fowardward of the dip stick handle.
It has a vac hose connected to it . [ a bad regulator usually has gas coming out the vac hose ].
6" rearward of the dip handle is a fuel pressure test port. That will tell all fuel pressure conditions with a gauge attached.
You are looking for :
46-52 psi at idle
54-61 psi at idle w/vac disconnected
43 + psi after 1/2 hr. rest . [ pressure hold test]

Great. I will try it. BTW, what kind of pressure gage should I buy to do the test?