Might as well try beating this one to death, but added input could sure help me here...

Just bought an 89 190e 2.6 and after a day or so, ABS light has come on intermittently...in addition to the Check Engine light.

Under high rpms while going uphill or over a bridge, or at stop lights, the Check Engine light comes on and car sputters and stalls out. The CE light has been coming on very frequently over the past few days (while driving and at a stop light) and the idle in "D" is very erratic - will range from 650-1100rpms, at times). Additionally, the starting is very erratic. Sometimes she starts right up (either hot or cold), and other times it will not start unless pedal is almost to the floor while cranking.

After looking through a hundred or so posts it seems like it could be just about anything from an OVP, to cap and rotor, to engine mounts, to a coolant temp sensor, fuel filter swap, or fuel pump relay.

I've cleaned the throttle plate and throttle body...that hasnt done the trick...additionally, former owner has recently replaced motor mounts...new plugs, and cap and rotor seem fine.

In your wise opinions, what would be the next logical step to proceed, short of going to stealership (which I will not, if at all possible)????

I'm running blind here without a shop manual (waiting impatiently for it)...so, next steps would ge GREATLY appreciated and would be willing to send a nice gallon of Jim Beam to the first tech person who can give me the correct answer to solve this f*&%#ing problem....I'm serious!!!!

Thanks.

It sounds like an intermittent problem. The combination of lack of idle speed control, hard cold starting, and ABS light point to the OVP relay, which powers the ABS system, KE ECU (which includes all the cold start enhancements), and the idle speed control valve, TVS, and microswitch.

I believe previous posts have discussed how to check out the OVP, so you should search on the subject.

Also download all the shop manual data from

www.mb.braingears.com

Check out and download the additional KE and electrical job numbers in the 124 and 126 CD from this site, too, as they have additional diagnostic and trouble shooting info.

Duke

Could the fuel pump relay also add to this problem. A local MB wrench claims hat's what he'd replace first....????

Thanks.

Stalling while running normally is definitely the fuel pump relay or fuel pumps. Replace the relay and check the current draw on the pumps -- replace pump if it draws too much, else it will just fry another relay (there are two fuel pumps -- a dead one will cause serious running problems as the other one will not deliver fuel correctly with a dead pump in the line).

ABS light coming on is the OVP, replace it.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

The OVP as stated controls the KE Jetronic ECU as well as the ABS! The KE-Jetronic is the fuel injection system so yes that would make the car perform the way you describe! Try that one first!

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~Jamie
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2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....

I'm a bit slow with the terminology here, could someone fill me in?

Thanks.

And thanks for all of the advice above!

Not sure what it means, KE is the name Bosch calls that type of fuel injection system. It's used on several makes of cars.

said that even after fuel pumps and OVP replacement and belts and plugs, they still had a rough idle/stall problem...that, through careful diagnostics... they traced down to a valve rocker.

Has anyone ever heard of this???

Thanks in advance.

My 190e had a stalling problem until I took out the Idle Air Control Valve and shot it full of brake cleaner. It was severley gummed up, now it is nice and clean with no more stalling problem.

Good luck.

Q: When is the ABS light coming on ever an indication that there's actually something wrong with the ABS? It seems it's always to do w/ the OVP...