[W126 Coupe] SEC Starting Failure After a Massive Downpour

Sun Aug 14 03:22:37 EDT 2005

Axlehead,

My experience is the fuel pump relay or the overload relay have a problem -
I would try the overload first, I just went through the same problem on a
300CE. Where are you located? 

Dennis T

-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Richard Hogarth
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 10:20 PM
To: 'Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists'
Subject: RE: [W126 Coupe] SEC Starting Failure After a Massive Downpour

Dick,
Wow, You are describing what happened to me exactly (!) about 4 months ago.-
Including the rain! 
I also had bosch plugs but plat 2's although that was not the issue. I was
getting spark but it was totally erratic on 4 of the 8 cyl.  I replaced the
cap, rotor, wires, fuel filter and no luck. 
I guessed and took a leap and  bought a used spark control unit on ebay,
plugged it in and my 560 has been fine ever since. (although now I have a
new fuel pressure leak down problem)
When my 560 sits for more than about 1hr, I have to repeatedly engage the
key to pressurize the fuel system. Any ideas?
-Axlehead

-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Dick Spellman
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 9:19 PM
To: figstir at yahoo.com; Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] SEC Starting Failure After a Massive Downpour

Well based on what you describe you do have a wiring harness issue.  It's
very likely that your ignition wire set is the problem and if you get no
start at all I'd be highly suspect of the coil to tower wire.  You might
start with replacing that wire with a known working one.

In any event, I'd lose the Platinum plugs that the local auto parts store
pushes, they are not recommended by MB.  I'd make sure the new original
equipment set are gapped properly.  The archives have lot's of info on the
Platinum +4 and the problems you will create for your self with those plugs
installed.

Just my 2 cents.

Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "a figment of the imagination" <figstir at yahoo.com>
To: <mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com>
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 9:46 PM
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] SEC Starting Failure After a Massive Downpour

> Hi all,
>
> Well, I got cooled off yesterday when Nature brought
> to me and the nearby world a torrential rain storm
> that flooded the roads and drenched my SEC.
>
> Well, it was simply parked in the parking lot the
> whole time.  After leaving work, I tried to start it,
> but with no luck.  The engine turned over and for
> about 10 secs the engine ran but then died.  It did
> this two more times until my battery was thoroughly
> drained (it was low to begin with).
>
> After getting my battery recharged at Autozone, I
> tried to start the engine again, but without any luck.
>  I tried jumping it with the help of others 3X, but
> only to be left with a cold cranking turning engine
> but no start.  I then bought some more gasoline and
> filled the tank to 1/2 full (it was near reserve to
> begin with).  I threw in some Gumout Fuel Injector
> cleaner in there, as well to see if it could help
> clean out any injector based source of the problem,
> but both of these procedures failed to start the car
> as well.
>
> I then bought a new battery, but that failed.  Next, I
> bought some Pyrroil brand Starter Fluid and sprayed it
> up into the air intake, but still no luck.  I checked
> the dizzy cap and rotor points: all were good after a
> little scraping of some carbon.
>
> I was left stranded all night and only this morning
> was able to get a wench truck to tow me home.
>
> Right now, I'm working on replacing the fuel filter
> but after pulling this off, I don't think this will
> fix my problem.  My fuel pump checked out as working
> after directly connecting it to a 12-volt battery at
> the auto parts store.
>
> The only thing I haven't done is check if the coils
> are creating a spark.  (BTW, I replaced my spark plugs
> with Bosch Platinum about 1 month ago).....so I'm left
> without any ideas about how to get my SEC going
> again.......
>
> Is there any possibility that water got into the fuel
> system or that water did something to keep my car from
> starting?
>
> -figment of Friday the 13th, ugh!
>
>
> P.S.  I have owned this car for 4 months now (during
> which time I have completely rebuilt it) and have had
> a similar problem after driving through flooded
> streets in a similar downpour in June.  Back then, I
> replaced the battery and waited until the temperatures
> rose to 70 F, before it would turnover and start.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>

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