Hey,

i just bought a 1994 c280 from the auto auction today, no key...so i don't know if it runs but the fluids are good, and no obvious reason why it won't. interior is pretty rough (anyone parting out a 94-97 c280? i need interior parts), body is pretty nice... anyways just wanted to say Hi!

hopefully it'll work out to be my new daily driver...

can you guys think of anything these cars are known for that i should address asap when i get it?

 

Just curious-How many miles and what did you pay? I just sold my '95 C280 with 128K miles. You'll know more once you get it started and see what dash lights stay on. Good luck.

 

i paid 900$ with the tow home, tax's, fee's, etc....

it has around 143k according to carfax.

it was REALLY dirty, i cleaned the dust and whatnot tonight, going to clean again tomorrow, then armorall... the whole interior turned out to be in great shape, the rear seat bottom had one rip about 1.5" other than that no damage, the radio is gone, only thing the interior really needs is a shifter **** and the tweeters built into the air vent tops are messed up pretty good and the Right side dome light cover.

the exterior is a bit rought, both headlights are cracked, missing the left turn signal lamp, bumper has a crack in it, gas door is messed up, and windshield is cracked

engine looks untouched...dusty but very clean, tranny fluid smells good, the car came with 18" chrome wheels with good tires.

i'm happy with the car thusfar, ordered my key today, MB said 2-5 days..so hopefully it's more around the 2 days....quite anxious to see if it runs.

 

ARGH! got the key today, works fine on the doors/trunk but no go on the ignition...doesn't turn at all. did they make seperate keys or if my assumption that the ignition was changed correct?

 

Welcome to the world of computerized keys. A tow job to the dealer is in your future. I had the same problem with a VW. Gave the dealer the VIN, and sixty bux, and the key would turn over the motor, but would not start the car. Buyer took it that way. Whew.

 

uh they weren't computerized key till late 96...

 

Well then, something else is wrong. Where can I begin. Try starting it with a jumoer wire.

some possibilities. vandalism, someone cut a wire.
neutral start switch

Need foot on brake?

Solonoid.

Poor ground

And if I could read, I would se that you merely could not turn the key. Steering wheel pressing too hard against the lock? If you can get the lock out, remove all of the tumblers, then any key will work, don't tell anybody.

Some old vw's had a real annoying thing where you had to turn the key the wrong way first, or something like that. Been too long for me to remember exactly.

 

i assume you've never tried to remove a mercedes ignition... :-x it's quite horrible. if you have the tool to break the tubler it's easy but, i don't.

 

No, never tried to remove one. Even the easy ones are difficult to remove unless you are a car theif. They always seem to come out easy for them.

 

heh, i'm not a car thief but...i've owned more cars than most family's...

i got the ignition switch itself out (not the whole ignition though, damn that thing is tough.)

the car turns over and fires on carb cleaner, but won't stay running, no fuel at the rail, pump is running but has been modified, from what i see on alldata, this is supposed to have 2 pumps, but this car only has 1 pump. the pump runs runs, and has fuel pressure at the pump so i'm not sure is the fuel line is clogged or if something is just F'ed up, didn't check for pressure beyond the input side of the pump thusfar. the viper security system could be working too... haven't pulled it out yet. but on the brief 1/2sec. it's ran the 2 times i sprayed it with carb cleaner, it sounded ok...