280GE Died - Don't know????
Well, I'm not sure what's going on. As you might know I just got my truck back from the paint shop last week after a year of bodywork. No surprise that I had a number of issues and missing parts. My fuel gauge no longer works [I filled it up and put in fuel conditioner/cleaner], found a vent hose from the top of the tank broken off, numerous wiring issues which I thought I had sorted out and got all my lights working and new grounds added around the engine bay. This was done within the first couple days and no issues since then, except my truck no longer has a 4th gear [normal speed here is 30mph, top 40mph] and the starter gives a high pitched spinning noise as it disengages from the flywheel.
So today I was driving home from work [has been 80 miles since I got it back] and noticed my truck was hiccupping/hesitation and almost like a little back fire as well as a [hopefully] belt noise squeal so I pulled out of traffic and checked things over. Everything looked good and the truck started normal. I went about another 2 miles and it started hesitating again - kinda like having to pump the peddle to keep it running so I pulled over as it stalled.
I checked everything again and loosened the fuel line at the intake and it was still under pressure. After pumping the peddle, the G would start but not idle, then just kept cranking and no kick. I got a jerry can and put more fuel in just to make sure. I went to check for spark but found the battery dead. I carry a spare so I tried boosting off of that to no luck. A friend stopped to help and we ran better cables from his diesel but no luck. We checked all connections and even tapped the starter, took the lead off at the starter and confirmed the ground on the starter was still intact. He left and another friend stopped with a Land Cruiser [larger alternator] so we tried boosting again - still nothing. As I was crawling under it looking for possible leaks, my filter looks decent [possibly replaced right before I bought it a year ago] which I will change anyway, and I also found my pump which isn't tied down and just hanging between the tank and rear sway bar[?] which obviously I need to correct somehow.
So now I don't know what's going on, I guess my starter died and maybe my fuel filter is clogged or pump died????? I don't know any mechanics on this tiny island and I can just imagine what they're going to charge me for towing. I just wish it was something I could do but now I just want to direct a "mechanic" on what it might be.
Any suggestions? BTW we do hear the solenoid click when we turn the key and it's an automatic. As it's sitting on the side of the road, I don't think I can leave it there very long.
Thanks - David
Cayman Islands
I'm afraid I can't help you as I'm not a mechanic, but I know what it's like, having once been stuck on the side of a French motorway all night and most of the following day.
I hope you get it sorted soon.
Best wishes & good luck
Richard
Hi David, just a few thoughts.
When you turn on the ignition can you hear the fuel pump? if not it could be the relay or the pump.
When you turn on the ignition here should be a click from the fuel pump relay which is above the fuse box
You could have a vacuum leak.
http://www.gwoa.co.uk/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6300
Hi mate,
IGNITION ELEMENT :D
1) Get battery fully charged up or substitute. Modern batteries are design to fail, if there is little power in them, now a days, this is to protect the “KAT†from being contaminated with raw fuel, just for situations such as yours, as you crank an engine which will not fire, Raw fuel is kept spraying in the cylinders’, which eventually lead to the KAT, destroying it.
2) Check to see if there is a good spark at the spark plugs.
3) Check at inspect your Distributor Cap and Rotar Arm, these last approximately 70,000 mls.
4) Check spark plugs for condition, if due for renewal, change them. Check for correct heat range for the plugs, correct and replace as necessary.
5) If it has been established, that you have good spark, turn your attentions to the fuel system. If, however, you still do not have any spark, even after checking your distributor cap and rotar arm, you need to test out your ignition coil.
6) Test out the TDC, green coloured lead, one may wriggle the lead whilst cranking the engine or test the ohms reading in between the two ringed leads. You will need to pull out the black round connector, found attached to the ignition module.
7) There is a possibility the fuel relay, although fuel pump may be heard to energise, the ignition part of it may not be working.
FUEL ELEMENT (EXERCISE EVERY CAUTION) Keep a Fire Extinguisher handy.
1) Air filter cover removed from the injector body, get an assistant to TURN the ignition key to ON only! Whilst, the fuel pump is energising, push down onto the air-mass flap. This should push down with some fuel pressure resistance acting against you. If not, there is no fuel pressure. Ideally, to do this test a fuel pressure gauge would be nice, but we are talking bush craft here. Having disconnected the fuel inlet to the injector body, block the fuel hose with your thumb with firm pressure. Get your assistant to switch – on the ignition key; you should be just able to hold the fuel pressure. If, you have gushing out fuel, but without any pressure, the pump is too weak. The system operating pressure is over 3.0 bars!
2) Lightly, crack open the injector nuts at the top of your injectors, sufficiently, crank your engine and the check to see if fuel has leaked pass the cracked injector nuts, the presence of fuel at the nuts indicates fuel is getting to the injectors, but no indication of fuel pressure, mind.
3) In the absence of fuel, in any of the above tests, your attention needs to be drawn to the fuel pump.
4) You mentioned back-firing earlier, I would suggest that you inspect all rubber hose and idle circuits that they are not blown off the inlet manifold connections. These run along and under the inlet manifold
Regards,
Well, I spent an hour attempting to figure it out yesterday on the side of the road but couldn't fix it or even get it to kick over. So I called a wrecker and had it towed to Merc as I don't trust the backyard "mechanics" here who have never worked on them before. The guys at the dealer have been really helpful and gave me a few more ideas to check before taking it to them so I know it will be done right and quicker than the other shops.
I should know what's going on later today and see will let everyone know..
Well, 1 problem solved - starter's DEAD. The new one is $1,600CI [1,330 GBP], rebuilt 660GBP. I have to wait 10 days for Mercedes to bring it in from Germany so figured I'd check around before committing to it. The one on fourbyfourclub says it's the same for $245US /163GBP [remanufactured] - anyone have experience with them or have any other options? Seems really cheap compared to the Merc one.
please read your PM
Well, I ended up ordering the rebuilt started and had my old one checked at a rebuilder here. The shop said it was the solenoid and they were able to get it working. As I ordered the new one, I waited and had it installed. The dealer also replaced the actuator and fuel filter, tested the pump which was fine.
This lasted for about 2 months and the starter acted up again, acting like a dead battery and you can hear the solenoid clicking. I had a guy go by my house and pull it out and he said he found the solenoid was "dirty". After this it was fine for another month when it acted up again. This time I found there was a splice in the wire between the battery and starter, replaced the wire and the old starter was installed. Another 2 months and another rebuilt starter - each time I had them check everything in the system but they keep saying everything is fine - just a bad starter! BTW, no matter if it has the heat shield installed or not, they only last a few months and I only put on about 40-60 miles/month. Now it's acting up again except this time I have some warning. Turn the key and nothing but if you keep trying it will work and the battery is perfect. After sitting for hours it may or may not act up, short stops are not usually a problem. PLEASE HELP.
JOIN THE GWOA
This website and forum are provided for the benefit of enthusiasts and owners of all Mercedes Benz off road vehicles, in particular the G Wagen. The costs of development, upkeep and provision of the site are met entirely by the annual subscriptions of club members. If you are using the site and are not a member of the G Wagen Owners Association please consider joining. You will have access to areas on the site that are not open to non members, to club trips and meetings and to technical assistance. In addition your contribution (only £25 annually) will help us maintain and develop our website for future users.
Who's new
- Roscoe25
- Awon
- f.ecoheat
- ImportBry
- doctorchehab
Excellent, thanks guys!!!
As you mentioned dentsmithy, I do hear a click from the dash so I guess the relay is working but I do not hear the pump, but just not sure if I can normally. I printed the link so I can give it to whoever works on it as I just don't have the time or place :( I did check for vacuum leaks and found one from the distributor to intake but as the truck won't crank, I can't figure out if it will help.
A new battery was tried this morning but without success so I can't go ahead and check what you mentioned Pistonhead but I printed it off and will send it to the mechanic.
Is it possible that a valve let go? I was getting a valve tick since I got it back and with the new battery his morning I think I can hear the starter engaging but the engine won't turn over [like a dead battery]. Well, I'm hoping this won't be the case but I had this thought last night.