Went to start my 1995 600SL yesterday and all it does is turn over. It has been running great. Always have been impressed how it started right up on the first key turn without even a foot on the gas. Now just crank. Don't know where to start investigating. Any suggestions?


Bruce

 

Did it sit for a few days? Mine seems to do the same if it sits. Might be leaking oil into the cylinder chambers.

If you turn the key to position 2 without starting the engine, does the ASR light stay on when you're having this problem? Don't ask. I'm still figuring this one out on mine, but I think it's related somehow, at least indirectly. It also goes into limp mode if it starts. This only happens rarely.

 

got fuel?

 

Hello,

I had messaged you the other day regarding my SL600 that al of a sudden won't start. I believe can I smell fuel, but it just turns over and over with NO start. Don't notice anything with the ASR light. Any suggestions what to check next?

Bruce

 

smell fuel?

then it's flooded.

pull out some sparkplugs and see if it's wet?

 

In your message you said it sat for 3 days. Curious.

You also said all the dash lights come on. You didn't say if they stay on. The ASR light and other lights should turn on for a couple of seconds then turn off, even if you haven't started the engine. There's only one or two that remain on. The CEL is one.

My guesses so far is the fuel pressure leaks down or oil leaks into the cylinders. Like I said, mine doesn't do it often or predictably. When it's happened, I needed to be somewhere, so I just jumped in my truck and took off. When I get back, the car starts fine. If I had a chance, I'd put a pressure gauge on the fuel system at the injectors. I'd also pull some plugs to see if they're oil-fouled or possibly wet from gas as sleepwalker suggests. Flooding, however, has never kept me from starting a car. It will delay starting, but not to the point of giving up.