W124 starts but immeadiately stalls

[Suki]

Hi All,
I have watched this web site for a couple of years now, but it is now my turn to ask a question!
I have a 230 E w124 (manual).
The sympton I was having was that it would stall whilst idling when the engine was warm. This would happen occasionally. I could stop it stalling by pressing the accelerator pedal when it would try to stall. Eventually it would idle again, but roughly
I have checked the OVP, oxygen sensor etc but that is all ok
I decided to check the EHA valve, and now things have got worse! I opened it and put it back together. and....
The car fires, but immediatly stalls.
I don't think the EHA unit is that senstitve... Does anyone else have any experience?
I have checked for fuel in the pressurised injector lines, but there does not seem to be any (much) there.
Can I have really damaged the EHA?
Does anyone think this is a cause of my problems?
Regards
Suki
(now without any transport!)

[Oreo]

Hi Suki

Yes the EHA can be very sensitive. I once adjust a quarter turn and the car refused to start. Took a lot of fiddling, banging on my palm and another half turn before it worked again. Since you are stuck now, I suggest you try and open up by a half turn or so and try again. Take a mental note of how much you are opening it up so you can reset to original if need be.

[Suki]

Hi,
Thanks for the info.
I shall try it tonight!
Do you have any idea what approximate position it should be in? (long shot I know!)

Regards
Suki

[Oreo]

Suki

The correct position was the original position +/- half turn or so if you remember what you did. Just turn anticlockwise by half turns and keep trying. Adjust until your car starts and then fine tune from there. I think in this case you may not be able to go back to the original position anymore since it is not starting.

[Suki]

Hi Oreo,
I just wanted to say thank you for the info.
I have managed to get the car going. If this should happen to anyone else the optimum point seems to be 8.75 turns CCW, from the screw being completely screwed in.
On another note I think I have found the reason why the car was sometimes stalling. There is a micro switch the should be pressed when the accelerator is not pressed. The micro switch is located near where the accelerator cable is attached to the injection system. It seems that this was not being pressed! I simply bent the arm of the micro switch to make contact. (fingers crossed)

Regards
Suki

[Oreo]

Hi Suki

Great news on the EHA. Regarding the microswitch, I think its called the thrust control switch. You should not bend it to make contact. What you need to do is to adjust the accelerator cable lenght. Just where the cable sheath end and the cable appears there should be a star shaped plastic screw to adjust this. Just turn until the switch clicks - after you bend it back to the original shape of course.

[Suki]

Hi Oreo,
Thanks for the information. I shall see if that is what it is.
Regards
Suki