"-->> T.G. Lambach <<--" <"T.G. Lambach at NoHamorSpamcomcast.net"> wrote
in
> I owned a '97 and had this happen: I installed a new battery and all was
> fine for about 9 months. Then one day I turned the key but didn't hear
> the fuel pump run for the usual one second prior to cranking the motor.
> I immediately knew the motor wouldn't start - and it didn't. But why no
> fuel pump?
>
> Turned out that the new battery had leaked and acid not only corroded
> but disconnected the "christmas tree" of added-on wire connectors on the
> battery's positive terminal. The fuel pump was one of these corrosion
> disconnected wires yet the main connection was OK and therefore the
> engine still cranked!
>
> So another new battery and soaking the corrosion damaged connectors in
> baking soda and water cleaned up the mess, a new 6 mm clamping bolt in a
> new "on bolt clamps all" arrangement lieu of the 8 mm original and it
> was fixed.
>
> So take a look at the car's battery before attacking the engine.
I just changed the battery just 3 months ago, and didn't see any corrosion.
But I'll check again. I do hear the fuel pump run before I try to start
it.
Funny thing, after 3 days of not starting, I got a OBDII code reader from a
friend that owns a Mercedes garage (no check engine light on, but just
wanted to see if it picked up anything), and not codes came up. I figure I
would try it again, and it fired up. My Mercedes mechanic friend thinks
since there are no error codes, fuel pump works, could be the computer
itself. He said he has seen them go up. The car has 200k on it.
Even though it fired up, I tried it about 10 more times. Half of those
times it cranks for a few seconds, then gives me a clunking noise before it
starts. (Also, I just replaced the alternator 2 weeks ago because of a
previous issue).
Any other thoughts?
>> Stay informed about: E320 Starting problem 
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