My mechanic has said that there is no power being supplied to the computer or the ovp in my 88 1903 2.3...Since the computer is not functioning, he said that many of the engine components will not work, like the cold start valve and others.

First of all, what computer is this? what is it called?

Is it common for these computers to go down?

He says the car is running in like a default mode, that it will start hard (it does) and have poor performance and mileage? Is there a name for that "mode" or condition where the car is running without its computer?

Love this site, thanks for the input.

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1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.

You are in fixed operating mode. From my reading on this site and my own experiences, I would say no, it is not common for the computers to fail. This is good because they can be picked up cheap used.

Do a search on ECM (the computer I THINK you are talking about) and look for my recent post (10%=..).

You can do some testing yourself with a few cheap tools and the info on this site.

good luck.

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Thanks I will do. Btw, it turned out that one of the connectors located below the ovp relay was not connected or had broken loose and was not providing power to the ovp or the computer. Its been fixed and it starts and runs alot better

__________________
1996 E320
2000 C230 Kompressor
1988 190e 2.3 - 225K miles, owned for 7 years. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Very well built, even at 225 it ran like new.