Help with 190E starting problem.

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topcat8867

New Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Messages
10
Location
Bristol
Car
Mercedes 190E
I would really appreciate some help locating the fuel pump relay on my 1991 190. The reason being it's a Cypriot import, and the air con model so not in the usual place behind the battery or around the fuse box - or at least I can't see it from the photos that I've seen of where it's supposed to be.

The car's been standing for a while now and turns over really well but doesn't fire up. I can't hear the relay click in at all, and viewing a lot of historical posts I want to rule this out before I call someone out.

Can anyone offer some advice?

Thanks in advance.

TC
 
I would really appreciate some help locating the fuel pump relay on my 1991 190. The reason being it's a Cypriot import, and the air con model so not in the usual place behind the battery or around the fuse box - or at least I can't see it from the photos that I've seen of where it's supposed to be.

The car's been standing for a while now and turns over really well but doesn't fire up. I can't hear the relay click in at all, and viewing a lot of historical posts I want to rule this out before I call someone out.

Can anyone offer some advice?

Thanks in advance.

TC
Hi TC, you could try the 7Zap.com website. It has parts info with handy diagrams for cars made for different markets. It may help you locate the fuel pump relay on your car. Does not appear to be working currently for me at least - SQL error for some reason.

parts catalog Car mercedes CHASSIS EUROPA, original catalog Car mercedes CHASSIS EUROPA, online catalog Car mercedes CHASSIS EUROPA, Car catalog Car mercedes CHASSIS EUROPA
 
Hi TC, you could try the 7Zap.com website. It has parts info with handy diagrams for cars made for different markets. It may help you locate the fuel pump relay on your car. Does not appear to be working currently for me at least - SQL error for some reason.

parts catalog Car mercedes CHASSIS EUROPA, original catalog Car mercedes CHASSIS EUROPA, online catalog Car mercedes CHASSIS EUROPA, Car catalog Car mercedes CHASSIS EUROPA
Hi ChipChop, thanks for the link and info.

It doesn't seem to be working for me either but I'll keep trying.

Regards,

TC
 
Hi TopCat,

There’s probably as much chance of a seized fuel pump nowadays as a fuel pump relay fault, so worth bearing in mind if the car has been sitting. If you pop the rear seat bench out you will be able to access the wiring and connector that goes to the fuel pump so could always test there to see if the pump itself is getting power.

Is your car RHD or LHD? It’s behind the battery on RHD cars, next to the OVP relay. I’m not aware that they relocate this because of air conditioning as an option. You have removed the plastic shield/cover panel first I take it?
 
Hi TopCat,

There’s probably as much chance of a seized fuel pump nowadays as a fuel pump relay fault, so worth bearing in mind if the car has been sitting. If you pop the rear seat bench out you will be able to access the wiring and connector that goes to the fuel pump so could always test there to see if the pump itself is getting power.

Is your car RHD or LHD? It’s behind the battery on RHD cars, next to the OVP relay. I’m not aware that they relocate this because of air conditioning as an option. You have removed the plastic shield/cover panel first I take it?
Hi Will, thanks for the quick response.

Firstly, it's a RHD. The plastic cover is off but the battery is back in place as I've been trying to start it so today I'll whip that back out and have another proper look. I can see the OVP relay tucked right under the bottom of the windscreen, and it's difficult to access so I'm hoping it will be there as you suggest.

Secondly, testing the wiring and for power to the fuel pump etc is a bit beyond me. I can have a go at the simple stuff but the rest is beyond me.

Finally, car is parked in a garden and it's very difficult to move without being started as it's a tight set up, so will inevitably will have to get someone out rather than get it towed to a garage.

Regards,

TC
 
It would probably be easier to take the battery out to locate the Fuel Pump Relay if you’re struggling to find it.

Maybe take a couple of pics of this area and post them here :)
 
It would probably be easier to take the battery out to locate the Fuel Pump Relay if you’re struggling to find it.

Maybe take a couple of pics of this area and post them here :)
Hi Will,

Ok, I'm going over later, I'll have the battery out, take some pics and post them tonight.

Thanks for your support,

TC
 
Hi Will,

Ok, I'm going over later, I'll have the battery out, take some pics and post them tonight.

Thanks for your support,

TC
Hi all,

well, the good news is I've found the relay as you suggested, behind the battery right at the back.. It was quite easy to wiggle it out.

However, after I bridged the two connections there was still no sound of the pump starting up, and it seems somehow that petrol isn't getting through.

Does this mean it could be the fuel pump as well as the relay?

I removed the back seats to look for any connectors but there are only two main wires - one going down to the bottom and another going up to the rear for the lights etc... but no connectors. No Electric windows, central locking or other fancy stuff on this model.
 

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From your pics it looks like your 190e has had some work on the area surrounding the rear jacking point.
 
From your pics it looks like your 190e has had some work on the area surrounding the rear jacking point.
I wasn't aware of that but now you mention it...

Strange that coming from somewhere like Cyprus!! didn't think corrosion occurred there.
 
Well if there’s no sound from the fuel pump(s) I would look to check if they’re getting 12v firstly.

You can see the wiring in your photo, black wire that goes towards the sound deadening. Should go into a grommet and out to the pump package under the car (they’re behind a plastic cover underneath)

Follow the wiring in the picture, there should be a connector close to the grommet. Check with a multimeter - either with the relay or bridged as you have done.

I suspect the fuel pumps have seized through lack of use - E5/10 isn’t kind to these when left sitting for extended periods of time. You may want to look at draining the tank and cleaning the strainer and replacing the fuel filter etc in this instance.
 
I wasn't aware of that but now you mention it...

Strange that coming from somewhere like Cyprus!! didn't think corrosion occurred there.
I only recognise the signs because i have just finished welding my own 190d in that area. There is a water drain next to the big rubber jacking bung on the floorpan that blocks and rusts that area out.

This is what it should look like underneath. Big jacking bung, angled rubber sill water drain and the round rubber grommett that is visible in your photo on the floorpan under the seat base area (bottom middle in below picture covered in body schutz).

It is amazing how much seam sealer Mercedes applied in this area. Not difficult at all to repair that area on a w201 mainly due to the inner sill being completely inboard so the outer sill joins seamlessly to the floorpan. And the guts of the jacking point are made of very thick metal so seldom rust out.
190d.jpg
 
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Well if there’s no sound from the fuel pump(s) I would look to check if they’re getting 12v firstly.

You can see the wiring in your photo, black wire that goes towards the sound deadening. Should go into a grommet and out to the pump package under the car (they’re behind a plastic cover underneath)

Follow the wiring in the picture, there should be a connector close to the grommet. Check with a multimeter - either with the relay or bridged as you have done.

I suspect the fuel pumps have seized through lack of use - E5/10 isn’t kind to these when left sitting for extended periods of time. You may want to look at draining the tank and cleaning the strainer and replacing the fuel filter etc in this instance.
Hi Will, thanks so much for the info advice.

I don't have the know how or skills to deal with a job like this even though it seems straight forward.

I've spoken to a Mercedes Specialist for them to take a look but was told that not many garages are interested in the older cars nowadays, and getting someone out to the car is proving difficult. It may have to rest another year as I work abroad - or moved on as spares or repairs as there may well be other issues.

I will try a few more routes and update the post soon.

Thanks again...
 
I only recognise the signs because i have just finished welding my own 190d in that area. There is a water drain next to the big rubber jacking bung on the floorpan that blocks and rusts that area out.

This is what it should look like underneath. Big jacking bung, angled rubber sill water drain and the round rubber grommett that is visible in your photo on the floorpan under the seat base area (bottom middle in below picture covered in body schutz).

It is amazing how much seam sealer Mercedes applied in this area. Not difficult at all to repair that area on a w201 mainly due to the inner sill being completely inboard so the outer sill joins seamlessly to the floorpan. And the guts of the jacking point are made of very thick metal so seldom rust out.
I can only imagine how well these cars were put together...

I can't actually get under the car on that side as it's parked right up against a fence, but when if I get it moved I shall take a look.

Cheers for the input..
 

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