Thanks for the replies.

Steering wheel unlocks and engine cranks every time.

Have power at the relay under the back seat that I think is the fuel pump relay. Jumpering the relay terminals does not produce fuel pressure under the hood.

Does the cam position sensor or the crank position sensor drive the tachometer? I was getting 500rpm on the tach last night when the car would briefly start, and 170rpm today on the scan tool while cranking the starter.

Bought car sight unseen 13 months ago with 'full records' and 234kmi on the clock. When I picked it up, the only records I got with it were the receipts for the work done after I bought it (I paid to have the conductor plate in the trans and a worn out tie rod end replaced while I flew out to get the car).

Now has 247k on it, so any failure, from K40 to the smartkey to the pump itself, is entirely believable.

Would have been nice if a two owner car had come with more than one key. I guess some people throw away smart keys if the remote transmitter acts up?

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'79 300SD W116
'86 190E 2.3-16V W201
'92 300D 2.5 W124
'99 E320 4MATIC S210