124 Coupe starting.

[Silver Arrow]

My 124 coupe (1994) is normally very reliable.
Last Monday, I loaded up the boot to visit my Daughter, then turned the key to start it and it refused to fire up. It turned over healthily, but no bursting into life. Tried again without success. Switched off everything, locked it on the fob to reset the immobiliser if that was the problem (unlikely since all the lights came up). Tried again with no joy!
It had done this once before last year when the fuel relay was at fault so I suspected a similar problem. I fiddled with the relay to see if it was a dirty contact, but no result.
I gave up and called the RAC who reported an hour and a half delay on call outs.
To pass the time I tried the truck, which had a flat battery. I got that going OK, but didn’t fancy trundling down in that and the RAC hadn’t arrived. So I went to the 124 and tried it again and LO! It started just like normal!!! I cancelled the RAC call and went off on my visit.
On Friday, I wanted to return. Again it was reluctant to start. Three tries without success. Switch off, lock it up, unlock it, and, as it had three tries previously, floored the throttle in case it was flooded and Hey Preso! It stared fine.
I came home, put it in the garage, examined everything which all appeared in order. Subsequent trial starts have been faultless, so no point in taking it the garage.
Any suggestions?
Perhaps Malcolm has the magic words?

George.

 

[television]

Crank shaft sensor I would think

 

[Silver Arrow]

That thought had crossed my mind as my Volvo did that some time ago.
Is there a quick way of checking?
George.

 

[television]

That thought had crossed my mind as my Volvo did that some time ago.
Is there a quick way of checking?
George.

Sorry George, no way to check it other than by substitution,, the cheapest is from Bosch at £41, it is a Bosch part and that is ½ the MB price.

It has fixed 3 cars this week

 

[Silver Arrow]

Great! Do you have the Bosch part number by any chance?
George.

 

[television]

Though I have 3 here they have the Bosch number one side and the MB the other, I need your viin 6 numbers 124--- or the engine type

And I will post early this eve

 

[Silver Arrow]

Malcolm:

WDB1240422C------

E220 Coupe.

George.

(Do you need the full Vin Number and the Full engine no?)

 

[television]

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...GM=717.413&CT=M&cat=19K&SID=15&SGR=075&SGN=04


If it is the same as 5 in the link MB number 003 153 27 28 that is the same as Bosch 0 261 210 171

Best that I can do, this is the same one as the 3 faulty ones I have here with the same symptoms

 

[Silver Arrow]

Thanks Malcolm

George.

 

[Silver Arrow]

I have been away in the Audi. Coupe has been with the garage for a week. During that time it has behaved impeccably, until today. It didn't start. No fault codes are being reported. Garage investigating and will update when the situation is resolved.

 

[jibcl500]

George

Next time it wont start remove the OVP relay next to the battery and then refit it.

Should start first time.

jib

 

[star]

Personally i would check out the voltage protection relay.

 

[Lordjellybelly]

I`m really not an oily rag person but I had a similar problem in my recently disposed of W202 98 C class 240 and if I remember correctly........an oily rag for a brain perhaps........it was diagnosed as a fault in a relay on the camshaft causing a fuel cut off. Does that make sense?

 

[jibcl500]

The over voltage relay sits near the battery, left hand top corner when the bonnet is open, there is a black plastic shield covering it, remove that and you will see the battery, the relay you need to look for is about 3-4 inches long with a fuse in the top of it.
Leave the battery connected and remove the relay, what for 10 secs of so and then refit it, its a bit fiddly but do able.

eurocar parts do the relay for about £50 MB about £90 ish.
If this doent help and your local bring it to me.



jib

 

[Silver Arrow]

The relay was changed last year when it wouldn't start. A new one has been tried. There is a spark. The search continues. I'll suggest the camshaft relay? tomorrow.

 

[Silver Arrow]

Eventually proved to be crankshaft sender. (As we suspected).

MB part No 002 153 43 28

George.

 

[AlisonH]

I'm no expert, but my 124 TE does the same thing occasionally - but only in the rain! Don't know if that fact might be a pointer or even applicable to you?

 

[television]

Eventually proved to be crankshaft sender. (As we suspected).

MB part No 002 153 43 28

George.

I am pleased that solved it, there have been many of late

 

[television]

I'm no expert, but my 124 TE does the same thing occasionally - but only in the rain! Don't know if that fact might be a pointer or even applicable to you?

The crankshaft sender is not affected by damp, mainly temperature, damp start is high voltage electrics normally

 

[Silver Arrow]

Yes, Check to see if there is a spark first.
When my Volvo sender went down, it killed the spark. With this one, the spark existed, but in the wrong phase.
Usually, as Malcolm says, damp non starts are normally electrical.
My old Range Rover tends to get condensation in the distributor cap, a wipe inside with a bit of kitchen roll cures it. Later motors tend to be susceptible to HT lead insulation breakdown.