Engine Problem?

[DITTRICH]

Dear All
After bringing back my C230K from the 'dead' - flat battery - started first time with new battery, I had a problem.
I let the car idle for about 20mins to see if it was running okay - it was. Then a funny thing happened. It cut out and refused to start again.
Called AA. After much tooing and froing, it seemed - no fuel pressure - traced to fuel relay in boot - not activating on turning ignition key. relay worked fine, but insufficient voltage being fed to relay to activate it when starting. The AA guy bridged the relay and the car started. However, now there seemed to be some grey smoke coming out the back of the exhaust where none before, particularly if the engine was revved. Didn't want to do anymore so turned off engine and removed the bridged relay.
I know it needs to be taken to the garage to have the codes read, but would it be safe to drive a short distance, or do I need to trailer it to an indpendent the nearest of which would seem to be in brighton - car currently close to Tunbrdge wells. ANyone know of an independent closer?
Rgds
Les

 

[grober]

I would be inclined to change the fuel pump relay for starters since they often have more than just one function not just fuel pump! Have a look in yellow pages for an good auto electrican (Bosch centre) near you?? found thes eguys on the Bosch web site http://www.johnbowlesvw.co.uk/# dont know what they are like?

 

[DITTRICH]

I am having it looked at by some local people who have handled my father's W201 for years. If they can't fix it, then it will have to be Rawsons in Tonbridge. Shit! I need the car by 12th April to go to Frankfurt!
Although Rawsons have all the gear, I'd prefer a first opinion from someone I trust and will hopefully learn a bit to prevent myself being ripped off at the stealers if it becomes necessary. At worst a £50 labour charge for an opinion.
Car goes in tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
Les

 

[Vlad]

I imagine that the grey smoke is due to some unburnt fuel being caught up in the CAT when you were cranking the engine over trying to get it to start and the smoke you see now, is the fuel being burnt off in the cats.....I can't imagine that its anything else too worrying.

I suspect that once the relay is replaced that the car will be back to normal.

 

[DITTRICH]

I have also done some googling and am wondering whether my 1999 facelift C230k has an OVP relay which might be playing up. Many stories about this on the other forum. Thanks for the advice about the grey smoke - I thought it might be that. As I said, the fuel relay works fine when you apply 12v across it, just that it isn't getting 12v from wherever it gets it from. I would assume that if the OVP relay was bridged, then the car ought to start normally (assuming its the problem)? I'll discuss it with the garage.

Rgds
Les

 

[grober]

Ovp

Remember your OVP (over voltage protection) relay is there to protect your ECU among other things from high voltage I would be cautious about trying to short it out since it acts on several circuits. temporary replacement for fault finding would be the safer option if you feel that its the cause of your problems.

 

[DITTRICH]

Update
The pokey little garage I used borrowed a specialist auto-electrician and after replacing a couple of parts and checking the electrical system, found the problem. £130 all in. That's about 1 hour of stealership time. No major exbenzive bits failed - so fingers crossed will MOT and tax tomorrow. Looking forward to the speed and acceleration after the 300D.
Les

 

[grober]

Glad you got it fixed. Make sure you note the name of that auto electrician for the future!