I really don't know the car, so I can only tell you from my experiece on the '560 SEL I have. One thing we have in common is that my car's problems where there at purchase, and it had the same mileage as yours when I bought it - 97k.

The problems are gone now. I did the work myself...

OVP failure symptoms (my 95 C280 + most others) include:

Stalling while at idle, when slowing down, and often when slowing down as you curve.

No hot-start. If engine is warm when shut off, and a re-start is attempted, the engine & starter will turn, but the engine might not catch; it cranks, but might not start.

An ABS (or SRS) indicator light, indicating low voltage.

Also, using the car to jump another car, or jumping your Mercedes often makes the OVP fail.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info Dave. How hard is it to change the OVP - is this something I can do myself?

Well I'll be damned - it took less then 2 minutes to remove this thing :)

Here's a shot of the OVP in my 95 C220 - is this the bad Part No?

I searched for a new one at Parts Shop and their part # showed

Overload Relay P2056-70038 $60.23

Hbofinger - thanks for your advice again . I think will replace my OVP (since it has never been replaced to my knowledge) and if that doesn't work, I will then move onto the injectors and confer with my mechanic with your info!

Yup. That's the unit...

You have the newer OVP
Troublesome OVP was 000 540 52 45- replaced with 540 67 45

Still may be a bad OVP.....

darn - i was hoping for it to be the older part No. The fuse is still good...hmmm, could still be a bad OVP but perhaps Hbofinger is on the right track.

interesting that the FastLane picture shows a slight different OVP inking?

http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/P205670038.JPG

Fuse has nothing to do with it - it's the soder joints inside the box (if you have one of the bad ones)...

Here is a High Tech OVP test.
When car won't start, tap the relay w/screwdriver handle and retry...

got the new OVP in this week, popped it in and car started fine. test drove it for a few days and the warm engine start symptoms are still here *sigh*

hbofinger....you suspicions may be right!

have been following the ovp relay post with enthusiasm-my car is a c200 uk spec-where is the this relay located in the c200 merc?
any advice appreciated

Are you suppose to change, clean or replace your Charcoal Cannister? I have an 84 380sl, any suggestions appreciated.

Ricks 84 380

You need to check all the HT side -plugs leads distributor cap and rotor .Do you know when these we replaced last ? .Then look for other items to fix the problem .90% of problems are electrical . Also fuses along with vacuum leaks . When thats done next is to get a fuel presure test .