Hi,

Recently Ive been having trouble starting. Normally I just crank the
engine without touching the gas and the engine starts right away, but now I
have to pump the gas to get it started and then it runs very rough for a
short while. The same problem happens when the engine is hot. Once I get it started it runs
fine, idles a bit rough though. I think I have traced the problem to the
cold-start valve; when cranking the engine (coolant temp. around 60C) there
is no power on the valve connector.

Does anyone know where the temp. sensor and timer relay for the cold start
valve is located on a Euro 230TE 102. engine ?.

Thanks.

This car will have the old style fuel injection with the warm up governor right?
If so, the warm up governor is acting up.

------------------
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope :)
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

What year is the car? I think the 102 engine came to Europe in 1980 or so, and that they all have CIS-E (no warm-up regulator, but EHA) It is the same engine as in the 190E 2.3

There can be many reasons for the car to act like this. Bad injectors, clogged fuel filter or worn fuel pump can give symptoms like you describe, as well as bad ignition parts. It could also be the cold start valve, but it's only functioning when the engine is cold, not at 60°C. Another posibility is that the auxillary air valve does not open when the engine is cold, and therefore no high idle.

Let us know if you find out, I'm still having similar problems with my car!

Regards
Meb
1985 190E