Ok I've read numerous posts and replys and I thought the OVP relay was my problem but now I wonder. When the outside air is cold or just cool my 380 se has high idle(1500 rpm) for the duration of my drive but when the air is warmer like today (75) it doesn't high idle. This is driving me crazy! I had the idle valve replaced but that didn't last long. I thought I read about an idle thermostat possibility. Could that be it? Thoughts appreciated.

1985 380 se 192k

I am not sure, but does this engine have idle thermo valve. Maybe Benzmac can tell you.

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Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

All US 380s had elecronically controlled idle valves. None had thermostatic valves. Some early European 380s did have manual adjustments with thermostatic warmup air valves.

The valve is not being controlled when the motor runs that high with that system. There is a separate controller for idle on 380s and it is known for cold solder joints on the PC board. Over the years we have fixed 75% of the bad controllers with your symtoms by just resoldering the PC board.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

If the resolder work doesn't fix it, you can get a rebuilt one from us on the partsshop.

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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

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by el Miguel:
Ok I've read numerous posts and replys and I thought the OVP relay was my problem but now I wonder. When the outside air is cold or just cool my 380 se has high idle(1500 rpm) for the duration of my drive but when the air is warmer like today (75) it doesn't high idle. This is driving me crazy! I had the idle valve replaced but that didn't last long. I thought I read about an idle thermostat possibility. Could that be it? Thoughts appreciated.

1985 380 se 192k <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks guys! Hopefully I can narrow it down. This is a great site! I wish I had known about it years ago. Could have saved myself alot of cash.

el miguel: i had a similar problem with my 89 260E, it idles high when in park and neutral. emailed steve and he was right on - it was the OV relay!! thank you steve.