A 4-5 second cranking time is "normal" for a CIS-E system engine.

Fuel pressure bleed-off would have a greater effect on a hot-soak re-start than cold start.

Coolant temp sensor signal is the MOST important signal for cold starts.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

And I replaced one on the 400E, forgot what for - I think it was fuel economy issues. I'll pick one up and try, cheap possibility. Thanks

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former: 83 300D, 97 C230, 93 400E

current: 08 C300 Luxury , 92 500SL

I recently replaced the lower wiring harness on my coupe, and while I had everything apart I noticed the starter looked original. Since on a few occasions over the course of a year I had gotten a "click" on a very hot start, and the car was 16 years/130K old, I decided to change the starter as well. I was very pleased to find a much faster cranking speed which has completely gotten rid of the long crank/2nd try start that was sometimes very irritating. I've always thought that either a starter turns or doesn't, but never considered that an old starter might turn slowly enough to cause hard starting problems.

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1983 380SL
1995 C280
1995 S500 coupe
1990 Mazda Miata
2004 Suzuki Hayabusa