Mercedes A160 won't start

[Ismand13]

Hello.
Yesterday when I got in my car, i couldn't start it, the starter works fine and the battery also, but it just don't start...
The only way I can make it start is if i pull the air filter off and spray brake cleaner, or something like it in. If i spray some short bursts of the cleaner i can make it keep running, after 30 seconds it can idle by itself. When the engine is warm it runs like normal.
My best guess is that the engine needs fuel when I start the car, so I'm thinking it's some kind of sensor, but not sure where to start. I tried putting a cheap tester on it, and it didn't say anything.

So hopefully somebody got a clue or have tried something similar

 

[mattkh]

Is the mileage about 90,000 miles..?

 

[Ismand13]

Is the mileage about 90,000 miles..?

It's a lot more, it's done around 300.000 km

 

[area51]

How old is the fuel filter?

 

[mattkh]

It's a lot more, it's done around 300.000 km

Thanks.
At that mileage it can be a few things which you need to check/eliminate one at time.
What things have been changed in terms of fuel supply and fuel pressure during the life of the car.

 

[Ismand13]

Thanks.
At that mileage it can be a few things which you need to check/eliminate one at time.
What things have been changed in terms of fuel supply and fuel pressure during the life of the car.

That's the problem, I've only had or for around 8 months, so i don't know the history. A Friend of mine talked about the air mass or a coolant temperature sensor, so i think I'll try the temperature sensor, it's a cheap part

 

[mattkh]

..... A Friend of mine talked about the coolant temperature sensor,

Thanks.
What is the outside temperature in the morning when you start the car...?

 

[mioba]

It can expensive throwing parts at a car based on what a mate said and even what someone on a forum said and more so because the part is the cheap.

Use MB genuine parts, it will save you down the line.

 

[Ismand13]

Thanks.
What is the outside temperature in the morning when you start the car...?

It's around -2°c
But I'll try change the sensor, if it don't work I'll go to a mechanic... Mechanic are just ridiculous expensive in Denmark

 

[Ismand13]

It can expensive throwing parts at a car based on what a mate said and even what someone on a forum said and more so because the part is the cheap.

Use MB genuine parts, it will save you down the line.

Yeah i know, but the car is not worth any money, so i kinda wanna try avoiding MB mechanic and parts... They charge 1/4 of the cars value, just to do a diagnosis

 

[mattkh]

It's around -2°c
But I'll try change the sensor, if it don't work I'll go to a mechanic... Mechanic are just ridiculous expensive in Denmark

Thanks.
Tell me more about where you think is the sensor you want to change.

 

[Ismand13]

Thanks.
Tell me more about where you think is the sensor you want to change.

I've tried changing the coolant temperature sensor in the thermostat. I did it today, so i need to wait untill tomorrow morning to see if it works. It's a easy fix and a cheap part

 

[mioba]

When your car was running did it get to temp and at what temp didnit stay at. Thus trying to elucidate why you changed the temp sensor.

 

[Ismand13]

When your car was running did it get to temp and at what temp didnit stay at. Thus trying to elucidate why you changed the temp sensor.

Well, the car don't have a temperature gauge, only a light that turns on when it overheat.
Yesterday when driving home, it began complaining about overheating, even tho there was plenty of coolant on it.
So i found a guy who had a cheap universal tester, and the tester said the coolant temperature sensor was bad. But since its just a cheap tester i don't know if i can trust it. The sensor is only like 15 euro so it's a cheap part to try and change.
I was told if the sensor don't work, then the car don't know that it needs to spray more fuel when starting. If that makes sense.

So I'm just hoping that the change of sensor is gonna work. It only took 10 min to change

 

[Ismand13]

How old is the fuel filter?

I don't know how old that is, i have only had the car for 8 months, but i know i haven't changed it

 

[mattkh]

,,,,sensor is gonna work. It only took 10 min to change

Well done.
What Manual are you using to get instructions of how to change the sensor..?

 

[Ismand13]

Well done.
What Manual are you using to get instructions of how to change the sensor..?

U don't need a manual to change it. The sensor is hold down by a small metal clip and that's it

 

[Ismand13]

So... I've just tried starting the car, and it started right away like it used to do. Seems like the sensor change worked, so if u don't hear anymore from me, it's because it worked. I guess I'll first know when I've tried a couple of times from cold start, but its a good beginning

 

[mioba]

Good one OP. Do keep us updated to confirm. Fingers crossed for happy motoring.

 

[mattkh]

So... I've just tried starting the car, and it started right away like it used to do.

Well done again.