300se Need Manuals, Tech Support
 

I bought a 1989 300SE today, my first experience with MB. Could anyone help with the problems that I have identified so far:

1. Owner's manual is missing. (Suggested sources for a manual?)

2. Cold start-up. (MAF, coolant sensor, problems?)

3. Radio face plate is missing. (Replacement possible or rip it out and start over?)

4. Technical manual. (Suggested sources?)

Thanks,
XGM

This is a good source for manuals.
You could also get the MB CD set from fastlane. Enjoy your new car.

http://www.tmcpubl.com/mercedes.html

1. Owner's manual is missing. (Suggested sources for a manual?)

Try the dealer or ebay. Check the dealer first to make sure you don't pay too much for one on ebay.

2. Cold start-up. (MAF, coolant sensor, problems?)

Could be any number of things. Probably not the MAF if the only problem is hard starting. Probably best to start by checking residual fuel pressure over time with the engine off. Probably even better to use your symptoms as search criteria in this forum.

3. Radio face plate is missing. (Replacement possible or rip it out and start over?)

Assuming it's a Becker Gran Prix, contact Becker USA (search for Becker's contact info on this site). You can find replacement units in the classifieds section of this forum or ebay but you'll need the VIN of the car it came from so you can get the ant-theft code from the dealer. Probably cheaper and more rewarding to get an after market stereo unit... even if you use cassettes.

4. Technical manual. (Suggested sources?)

MB publishes shop manuals on CD. Check the FastLane and PartsShop links above.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

I have solved two of the four problems that I posted regarding my "new" 300SE: cold-start and radio face plate. The most challenging problem was the cold-start problem. I managed to solve the problem after searching through past postings on this site. I am very grateful for the assistance that technicians and others have offered in the past which contributed to a good body of knowledge at this site and for the availability of this site for research purposes. Thanks also to gidpor and sixto for taking the time to respond to my request for help.

The cold-start problem ('89 300SE, 3.0) was caused by a blown fuse on top of what I have learned is the "overvoltage relay". Numerous references were made to this fuse in the postings over time. Once I learned how to search the database, a few hours of reading the postings last night enabled me to put a picture together.

Thanks again folks!!!!
XGM

XGM,

Since you've solved your cold start problems and I haven't (even with a new OVP relay fuse), what were the symptoms?

Thanks,
Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

The symptoms of the cold-start problem were that the car, when cranking, did not want to start. If the car started, it wanted to stop running-RPMs were very low and the engine ran rough. After repeated attempts to start, the engine would warm up enough to continue to run.

I replaced the cap and rotor last night but when I attempted to start the car, it was again difficult to start. I had new plugs standing by so I replaced them, looking at each of the old plugs as I removed them. I noticed that each of the old plugs showed no evidence that a fuel enrichment device had been working so I concluded that the problem must be with the fuel enrichment circuit. After that, I spent a couple of hours researching articles written by others for this type of problem. The fuse idea was mentioned several times. There are numerous posting relating to this problem. I think that if you spend the time researching older postings that you may find something that will help you.

Good Luck!!

XGM