exsaperated new Member

[0500]

Good Day All, New owner and member here, I hope you are all well.

I bought a '89 230 TE on Xmas eve, no prob with the purchase, all went well for about a month, when one afternoon, going to work the car would not start, called out the RAC, got it going with stacks of wd40, anyway changed plugs, leads,distrib cap, rotor, got it going couple days later after 10 mins turning over, same prob later in the night, 10 mins then go. After that no go, found this forum, looked thru the archive, saw simiular probs, had a go at at all the poss remedies, still no luck, last w/end got it goin, but only after constant turning over and holding the plate a little bit open in the airflow sensor and then revving manually on the throttle cable, but as soon as one lets go of the air-flow sensor it all dies?? as I said I have checked the archives and printed out all the possible related problems and gone thru them.

We are completly stumped as to why this old girl will not start, this is my first Merc, so no experience of these at all, can anyone help please.

Regards 0500

 

[ben12345]

From what I understand, there is a piston which controls fuelling, which is operated by the air flow flap. This can stick, leading to a very weak mixture. Mine was cured by just tweaking the CO adjustment screw forward about a turn, then resetting the CO level back to what it should be.
I was getting very hard starts, and a very poor idle.

 

[cobalt]

I don"t know if this helps but we had exactly the same problem on the wifes SEAT IBIZA and after doing everything you have done I replaced the TEMP. sender and it started 1st time I know its a different car but your symptoms are the same.
Cobalt

 

[IAN MAC]

Suppose all electronic ignition systems have the same weakness, one failure leads to a shutdown, or at the very least 'limp home mode'

 

[television]

I think that you should check the fuel pumps and filters.


Malcolm

 

[0500]

exasaparated

Thanks gentlemen and any Ladies present, Have changed the fuel filter, will try the temp sensor but the weather has turned as I'm sure you have all seen, will get to it when it thaws, all suggestions welcome, Thanks again.