help - i'm driving horizontally!

[jimbob]

I have a 1983 280se. Unfortunately it suddenly stopped as i decelerated and will not restart although it will turn over and almost catch but not quite - has anybody got any thoughts?

To make matters worse, i had to spend the night in the car when this happened and reclined the electric drivers seat but it now wont respond to become more upright, although it will still move backwards and forwards.

Being towed in a merc is bad enough but when you are almost horizontal ....!

please can somebody help me

 

[Rog_E]

With regard to the starting problem:

You say the engine turns over but does the fuel pump(s) run?
You should hear it initialise when you turn on the ignition, if one of the pumps has failed (assuming you have the dual pumps fitted to later cars) then the pump will be noisier than usual due to the extra load.

The fact that it 'almost catches' does indicate a fuelling problem.

The fuel pump relay may also be at fault - search the forums for "fuel pump " relay and you will find instructions for bypassing it.

I had to be towed in mine recently! The reserve light was on and the gauge indicated some fuel in the tank but.....not that accurate. Half a gallon went in and the car 'almost caught'. I put a further gallon in at home and it fired up! (I did run out a quarter of a mile away from home).


As for the drivers seat, sounds like the motor could be 'tired' does giving it assistance help? (try pushing the seat back upright whilst operating the switch - may be a two bod job).

Good luck!

 

[piestore]

Hi

Its possible the drive to the rotor arm has snapped