Where to begin ? Car doesn't start (doesn't turn over)
 

Hi guys my once in a blue moon problem as turned into a problem I can't fix

I'll probably need to tow the car to a mech or dealer (new to area) come monday or tuesday but was wondering if anyone could clue me in on what maybe be wrong if i described the symptoms.

1994 W124 E320 just about 120K miles.

-Every once in awhile after driving somewhere (be it long or short) if i start the car back up in say under 10mins....the car sometimes didn't start. All the lights show up on the dash but the final part where the engine spins fails to happen. Sorry for not being able to say the correct terms.

-If I let the car sit for awhile, it starts up with no problem.

-Well this friday I went to start the car (cold) and the car failed to start. I'm thinking wow thats odd, it only did that usually after I drive and try and start the car in under 10mins.

-Come back later, car still refuses to start all the way.

-The car idles fine, gets the same gas mileage, and no check engine lights (well about 2 months back I got one for O2 sensor and EGR but after I reset hasn't come on at all).

-Its just the last part where the engine actually spins...thats not happpening. I turn the key, I hear the sound to start but the engine does nothing.

Any ideas?

Thank you
Reny

From doing a search, the only similar trouble someone else has found is the OVP joints behind the batter go bad...and a change of the fuel relay pump and OVP was needed.

Reny, the battery seems to be OK as it normally started after you let it sit awhile, as does the voltage regulator since the battery is recharging. Out of curiosity when was the last time you replaced both?

See if the gear shift selector position has any effect on the engine starting ... wiggle it, or with your foot on the brake and the key in position to light all the dash warning lights move the shifter to "N" and see if the engine will start. Our 124's start in the neutral position so it may be related to a gearshift position switch although from your description it would seem to be engine temperature-related.

When you say "I hear the sound to start but the engine does nothing." does that mean you hear the fuel pump running?

When you say "I hear the sound to start but the engine does nothing." WHAT does that mean?

I got the impression first that the car cranks but doesn't start. The above statement confuses that issue. There is only a bjillion things that can make each event occur, so to cut it to only one bjillion we need to know whether the engine cranks or not, first thing.

".....the final part where the engine spins fails to happen".

Steve, by the statement, I think the car does not crank (spins).

It could be neutral safety switch, like ferdman stated try to start it in neutral.

Otherwise sounds like the starter is gone south.

My 0.02

first off....thanks for the responses

the battery was changed 1.5yrs ago...don't ever remember changing the voltage regulator

when i say it doesn't start....i guess i mean it doesn't crank

when i turn the car on, its everything as usual but it doesn't crank...yes i do hear the fuel pump running

it even makes the noise just before its supposed to crank

i've tried to start the car in neutral when it was a once in a blue moon occurance....but it never started...and tried it this morning...same thing

Reny, I would remove the starter and check the brushes. I encountered a similar problem with my daughter's Taurus (160,000 miles) ... 2 of the 4 brushes were so worn that the starter motor wouldn't run. A new brush set solved the problem. If you use your car primarily for short trips the starter motor gets heavy use and the brushes may need replacing.

So it doesn't crank.

Seems to me that there is a security function on that car that prevents starting. Have you turned the alarm off and on from the passengers door?

well most of my trips are anywhere from 10 - 20+ miles...rarely is it short (under 5miles)

the problem used to occur if i went somewhere, shut the car off, and tried to re-start within under 10mins....but that was rare and it never happened on a cold start

stevebf1....i haven't had the car alarm turn off for any reason for long time

how easy is to remove the starter? any list of steps of how to do it?

ren

Ah.. the confusion of start,crank, spin, tick over, etc...

CRANK
The engagement and spinning of the strater motor with the key in the START Position.
NO START.
The engine will not RUN when the starter is cranking it over..
Two entirely different problems and diagnosis...
So, when asking about a no start condition, let the tech know if the starter is cranking and they will be on the same page as you are..
If the engine CRANKS, you have eliminated the starter circuit and can continue on to gas/ignition.
But if it does not CRANK, it can not START/RUN...

the engine isn't starting as the starter is cranking over as per Authur's post

i did have my fuel filter changed early or mid-may

OK,
SO, on that chassis the first thing to do when it will not START,
is to tap [lightly] the OVP relay and try again..
The OVP on that model feeds the ECU fuel/ignition management and is a commn NO START condition fault with the old relay...

There has been a part change/up-grade

any pics of where i should tap lightly?

will await any replies and give it a shot (after the US GP :D )

i removed the protective hard plastic cover to get to the OVP, tapped it....pushed it around.....then tried to restart....no luck

how many fuses are on it? i saw a 15amp fuse

<<i saw a 15amp fuse>>

and have you checked it ?????????

at first i didn't but after seeing ur post :-)

so i removed the protective clear cover, pulled out the fuse....it was fine....it looked new

so i figured why not...lets start the car

it started fine ! ! !

first time, the ASR light stayed on....let it just run for about 10mins....turned it off....started it up again.....no lights....let run for 10mins....no problem....idled fine

i guess it seems fine for now but i this week i was planning on visiting my mech so i'll have him check to see if that ovp is the newer one or the old one and also check the fuel pump relay

i can't thank everyone enough, esp Arthur Dalton...i nearly had a tear in my eye to hear the engine start up (seriously)

Reny

OK

If the OVP says "Siemens" manufacturer on the side , change it to the newer one...

will do...i'll check tomorrow....again thanks !

I had the same problem on Friday on my 94E320. Had the car towed to the MB dealership. I had to replace the fuel pump relay.
Will post more info on Monday when I pick up the car.
Probably looking at about $600.00

that's not good

when i get to see my mech, i'm gonna have him really check alot of stuff over

including all the fuel delivery items and the OVP and fuel pump relay

according the some other posts...the fuel pump relay is only a $20 part and the ovp is $86 (give or take)....maybe it cost so much due all the diagnostics they did will looking for the problem

keep me posted if u still have problems

Reny, glad to hear that your engine is starting now. I'm not sure if you can edit the title of your thread, but the portion "(doesn't turn over)" sent a few of us members on the wrong path. Your engine was turning over/cranking ... meaning the starter circuit was OK ... it wouldn't start/run.

2 mins to replace the Fuel Pump relay and 5 mins for the OVP.

you'd think by yesterday's results i'd be happy today

on a cold (55 degrees) morning here in DC, same thing as before...car wouldn't start

but i guess when my mech can take me i'll have him change out the ovp and the fuel pump relay and just look things over

i was hoping i'd be able to drive the car to him

in the meantime my 99 accord will do *sigh*

now if the mech has a busy week...recommend myself changing the OVP and the fuel pump relay (would like to know where it is :)) ?

Picked up the car today.
Replaced both relays.
1-part # 000-540-67-45 relay- $89.00
2-part # 003-545-56-05 relay-$160.00

They also replaced a engine drive belt
1-R-R engine drive belt- 011-997-47-92 V belt $71.50

They charged me $120.00 for the labor on the drive belt 1.5 hours
$80.00 for the relay work @ 1 hour.

They waved the towing charge.
The car is running great.
Did you get your problem fixed?

Joe

Not yet but I did get the car started by pulling out the fuse in the OVP and putting it back in.

My indy-mech is booked solid til next monday so I'm looking at other mechs in my area. The best dealership is booked solid for 2weeks.

I was under the impression, the fuel pump relay was about $20 and the OVP was like $90.

What are the part names they changed?

I'm glad your car is running great.

Ren