HELP - 90 240 won't run

[Him]

Here is the story.

1990 240 DL wagon in US; was having trouble starting in cold damp weather
.... all tune up parts were not aged but I replaced the cap and rotor anyway
.... didn't help. The problem did not occur all the time and I could usually
get the car running after considerable cranking and nursing; after which the
car ran fine.

then one morning it wouldn't start, not even trying for spark. sat for two
days until it cleared some and then laborisly got it running after a few
backfires front and back. Took it to the store for a run and it ran ok for
about 5 miles but the check engine light came on.

Next day it will start (with check engine light on) but will not keep
running. Seems to run well but only for a few moments and then just cuts
off like it runs out of gas. Starts right back up with no problem ... but
same thing happens.

Car ran good before the no start morning.

I am about to swap out the AMM from my parts car. Any other ideas? ....
HELP - my wife wants her car back and worse, she stole my 89 245 and I want
mine back.

ALSO, I have a 86 245 parts car that I am willing to sell parts from if
anyone needs anything ... also considering parting out my 87 244.

Thanks for your helpful ideas.

HH
86 245 195K
87 244 245K
89 245 175K
90 245 190K

 

[Michael Pardee]

Here is the story.

1990 240 DL wagon in US; was having trouble starting in cold damp weather
... all tune up parts were not aged but I replaced the cap and rotor
anyway
... didn't help. The problem did not occur all the time and I could
usually
get the car running after considerable cranking and nursing; after which
the
car ran fine.

then one morning it wouldn't start, not even trying for spark. sat for
two
days until it cleared some and then laborisly got it running after a few
backfires front and back. Took it to the store for a run and it ran ok
for
about 5 miles but the check engine light came on.

Next day it will start (with check engine light on) but will not keep
running. Seems to run well but only for a few moments and then just cuts
off like it runs out of gas. Starts right back up with no problem ... but
same thing happens.

Car ran good before the no start morning.

I am about to swap out the AMM from my parts car. Any other ideas? ....
HELP - my wife wants her car back and worse, she stole my 89 245 and I
want
mine back.

ALSO, I have a 86 245 parts car that I am willing to sell parts from if
anyone needs anything ... also considering parting out my 87 244.

Thanks for your helpful ideas.

HH
86 245 195K
87 244 245K
89 245 175K
90 245 190K

If there is no spark, the AMM isn't doing that. Once you have spark, you can
rule out the AMM by unplugging it - the car won't run right without it, but
it will run. It will even idle okay.

You really need to sort out whether the spark is present when it won't
start. My preference is to spray some starting fluid in the air cleaner, put
the cover back on, and see if the engine burns off the fluid okay. From your
description I suspect it will, which would point to a fuel delivery problem.
If the fuel filter hasn't been changed in the past few years, now is a good
time to do that. Other "usual suspects" include water in the fuel,
intermittent fuel pump relay and bad in-tank fuel pump. If the fuel level is
below 1/4 tank, try adding a few gallons - sometimes the bellows between the
in-tank pump and the fuel line tears and causes the main pump to suck air
when the level gets low. For the in-tank pump and the bellows, the
definitive test is to remove the intake hose from the main fuel pump and
check for a good stream of fuel from the hose when the ignition is switched
on (not cranking yet).

Mike

 

[Him]

Checked around undeer the hood and found a cracked vacuum line to the
controler at the end of the injection rail ... don't know what that thing
is. Repaired the hose and now the car starts but will not idle unless you
keep your foot on the gas and occasionally have to rev it.

When the car gets warmed up it seems to run better but still not just right
.... or maybe I am expecting it not to ...
ny ideas on the no cold idle?

Thanks for your help.