SL 500 Tilt Problem - doesn't run

[Greg]

I am looking at buying a 1992 SL 500. The owner says the car ran fine until the vehicle was raised to verify the frame's VIN. After lowering the car, it wouldn't run well enough to drive. The owners say they believe the Mercedes has a safety feature where upon an excessive tilt, the device kicks into action. This is news to me, has anyone heard of such a device and if so, what does it take to fix it?

 

[Arnie]

more likely that the tilting affected some other intermittent problem.

As far as I know the only tilt-sensitive things in the car should be the alarm and the rear roll-over protector, which should spring up in the event of a roll-over to protect your head. However, for the latter to be activated the car needs to go beyond 45 degrees. Having said that, if activated, it may well also disable the fuel-pump for saftey.

The VIN number is stamped on the offside, engine bulk-head (near the brake servo booster) and is perfectly visible without any acrobatics.

 

[jaymanek]

Before you buy, makesure it runs!!

I agree, there will be a safety switch somewhere to stop the fuel pump in case of accident etc. Find out where it is and try that.


Jay