My 92 400E has 200K km on now, each time I startup the car, it cranks about 3 seconds before it fires up, is this normal?

My other car and all previous cars startup right away, include a 130K km Ford Explorer. After I bought it, as preventive maintenance, I replaced plugs, distributor caps and rotors, fuel pressure regulator, air filters, belt, all these solved some other problems but didn't help out with the long cranking time.

Should I swap the battery with my other car and give it a try, or this is just normal for a 400E?

Thanks.

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99 BMW 540i 6-speed 110K Km
03 SAAB 9-5 wagon 80K Km
92 400E (Sold) 245K km
Still missing the days with the Benz, it kept me busy.

HAD THIS ONE MYSELF!
REMOVE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND MAKE A SHIM FOR THE SENSOR TO BLOCK JOINT 1MM THICK OUT OF HEAVY GASKET MATERIAL.REINSTALL AND ENJOY!
MF

I have also had many fuel injectors leaking down pressure!

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Mike, .. would you happen to know where is the " crankshaft position sensor" on an 88 420 SEL. I'd like the check the shim that you recommend... Thanks

RUDY;
THE CRANK SENSOR ON A 420SEL IS MOUNTED ON A STAND AT THE LEFT REAR OF THE BLOCK (BEHIND AND BELOW LEFT HEAD).
IF YOU HAVE EXTENDED CRANKING ON A 420 IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE GAP ON THE SENSOR.
CHECK FOR LEAKING ACCUMULATOR OR INJECTORS.
MF

I have this kind of problem on the 300E. I have found that pressing the gas peddle a bit helps.

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VR
1967 250SL

Th owner manual also suggests that, I tried giving gas when I started it, it made no difference.

Mike, is the CKP sensor a plug like thing in front of the engine block? I will give it a try tomorrow.

__________________
99 BMW 540i 6-speed 110K Km
03 SAAB 9-5 wagon 80K Km
92 400E (Sold) 245K km
Still missing the days with the Benz, it kept me busy.

THE CRANK POS. SENSOR IS IN THE SAME LOC. AS I MENTIONED FOR THE 420SEL
MF

Hi Mike,

I tried but couldn't find that crankshaft position sensor, the rear of engine is so cramped, all I could see was the throttle linkage and several valves on the engine block.

When you said left rear to the block, did you mean the place near to the fire wall on the passenger side?

Thanks.

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99 BMW 540i 6-speed 110K Km
03 SAAB 9-5 wagon 80K Km
92 400E (Sold) 245K km
Still missing the days with the Benz, it kept me busy.

The 260E had the same problem, and the mechanic told my Dad that it was a common problem.

I changed the injectors recently, and voila, it starts fine now. So much so my dad wonders now whether its normal to start within a crank?

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I am also thinking about replacing all 8 injectors on my 92 400E, but I checked the price in Fastlane, is that 144 USD for one injector or for 8 of them I will just keep cranking if replacement costs 1200 USD

__________________
99 BMW 540i 6-speed 110K Km
03 SAAB 9-5 wagon 80K Km
92 400E (Sold) 245K km
Still missing the days with the Benz, it kept me busy.

I sure hope its for all 8 of them ...

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.