[R129 SL] Can anyone help Wendy?

[r129list@mbcoupes.com]

My 1991 500SL does the same thing....once I have over 1/4 tank...it doesn't do it 
anymore....hence, I keep more than a 1/4 tank full always....

Try it with a tankfull and see if it still does it.....maybe i have a fuel pump prob.....

-Patrick Greene
www.patrickgreene.net/cars.htm

On 18 Oct 2002 at 12:35, Tom Reynolds wrote:

> Cross posting from another list, wondering if anyone has had this problem
> and can help Wendy at mailto:golfwendy@lycos.com
> Tom Reynolds
> Hereford, AZ
> ((((((email history of problem follows))))))))))))
> Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 16:52:30  0000
> From: "wendy e engquist" <golfwendy@lycos.com>
> Subject: [MB] Re: electrical problem/Jim Mahaffey
> 
>  Jim thanks for jumping in where others dare not tread!!!!  Is this
> ignition switch problem one that when they plug the car into one of their
> diagnostic computers it's going to tell them that's the problem or will
> they spend hours trying to eliminate things that are not the problem???
> 
> thanks,
> Wendy
> 
> >From: "Jim Mahaffey" <benzdr@bellsouth.net>
> >Subject: RE: [MB] I think it's electrical, how about you???
> >Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 10:41:07 -0400
> >
> >Wendy,
> >
> >I could be anything, from the fuses to the connector-contacts under a
> >relay somewhere, but I think, from some long experience, that it's the
> >ignition-switch assembly.
> >
> >Over the decades the ignition switch has become gradually more
> >complicated, without a gradual increase in durability.  This problem
> >sounds like the type of action one gets from a worn ignition switch, in
> >a car made in the past 15 years particularly but not exclusively. 
> >
> >Jim
> >
> >
> >
> >> A problem I had last spring that magically disappeared has reappeared.
> >It's apparently a problem that isn't eminent but I'd like to nip it in
> >the bud if someone can get me close to a reasonable explanation.
> >
> >> It's my 500SL.  When I start my car I always let it warm up a bit.  I
> >doubt it's ever at complete warm up but the oil has had a chance to
> >circulate.  In less than 1-1/2 miles of my home the battery light goes
> >on and the car stalls.  I pull over, shut everything off then try to
> >restart, if I restart to soon all the lights on the dash go on and she
> >just grinds.  If I wait an apparently appropriate amount of time she
> >turns right over again and although I have fear of it happening again,
> >off I go, problem gone.  This has happened three times in the past week
> >and one half. ARGHHHHHH!
> >
> >>The first two times it was fairly early in the morning, the temp. was
> >probably about 43 with quite a bit of moisture in the air.  I started to
> >think it was temperature or humidity related BUT yesterday it happened
> >and it was 60 something no humidity.  Also my car is garaged.  So then
> >I'm thinking it has something to do with the wiring, I'm doing something
> >in particular that causes a short or something.  The first time I was
> >going about 30, making a very slow sweeping curve to the left, the
> >second time I was on the straight about ready to make a right turn,
> >crawling in stop and go traffic, the third time I was idling in front of
> >my neighbors, I was turned slightly left.  If it were the battery, I
> >wouldn't be able to restart would I? Batteries don't go between having
> >good days and bad do they??  Also, so far it always happens when I first
> >start driving, lets say less than 2 miles from home.  I'm so afraid the
> >problem will progress however and I'll be flying down the expressway!
> >at  70 when she does this, not good!!
> >
> >> I know it's asking a lot of someone to try to figure this out, but if
> >you can get close or offer a suggestion that will save me the labor
> >hours of the MB techs trying to figure this out, I'd be VERY grateful!!
> >
> >Thanks
> >Wendy
> >'91 500 SL   23K miles
> 
> 
> 
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