Excellent info, tjts1!

I had come to the same conclusion earlier this year when I did my original post. It ended up being that 2 wire plug. I even went to Mercedes and ordered a new one and the little pin receivers - but I never installed it because as long as I snugged up that connection every so often, it always started.

Man, even in 97 these cars were way to smart! No wonder I couldn't just apply that 12V and make it work. Probably could on a 1980's model, but not this one.

I think my recent problem may be something additional however. I now have a c-clamp on that connector to ensure it is plugged in nice and tight. I have found that it seems to be temperature related. Would not start yesterday in the ambient heat of 100 degrees. This morning a cool 75 and it acted perfectly. That is why I reasoned that maybe the temp sensor was messing with me.

OK, I will solder those wires/pins (I know exactly which ones because I had already cut them and resoldered them back once). That still could be it, maybe the old plug it affected by temperature.

Thanks for the great insight! And I will let everyone know what I find.

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Treiberg's Collection: 1981 240D, 1985 300SD, 1992 300E, 1997 E300D, 2005 C230K