380SEC Won't accelerate above idle

SweetZRag

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Jun 28, 2011
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Your Mercedes
380SEC/1983/?
Hi all. I could really use your help. I am an experienced DIY mechanic but have never worked on a Mercedes before. My wife inherited her father's 1983 380SEC and I need to get it running for her. Can you point me in the right direction to look? Most of my experience is with newer Chevrolets.

The issue is intermittent. Driving down the road, the car drops to idle speed without warning. It does not stall. It acts like the throttle cable broke and nothing happens when I press the accelerator pedal but the car is still running.

Does this car have a Throttle Position sensor? Can you explain how the throttle works or where I should start diagnosis. I have access to AllDataDIY.com and have purchased service manuals but find them difficult to use as many of the symbols are in German.
 

mattkh

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England
Your Mercedes
A160 W168 1999 1.6
Hi
Put up a picture, a birds eye view, of what's under the bonnet.
 

alexanderfoti

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W221 S65 AMG - W204 C63 AMG + Various other MB's
I belive there is a microswitch in the gearbox selector that can do this if the car is in D but the switch isnt registering a connection.

Hopefully somebody better will come along with more information.
 

robparker

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220d (115), 190d (201), c63 (204), 220ce (124)
Those V8's do have a rather complicated throttle linkage, if you take the airfilter housng off you can inspect it, as you said it felt like it suddenly broke, could be abit seazed up
 

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