no start after a big long rainstorm - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

germanfan · 12-13-2012, 03:32 PM

hi people,
new to this site and mercedes....
love my 1996 sl500, had it for a few months, but apparently it doesnt like rain.
we had a huge storm and it started during the storm and i moved it to higher ground. next morning no start....
so i took another car to work, returned that eve and she started up, ran fine. i allowed it to idle for about 15 minutes, drove around the block.
next morning no start. tryed the wait again, but no luck this time.
i have read about wd40 and hair blow driers but would love some leads as to where to start.
any suggestions?
thanks,
germanfan

**Poundy** · 12-13-2012, 04:27 PM

Check battery first, you may have drained it with the no start issue. After starting it the next day you may have not run it long enough to get power back in.
I would then check all fuses, after that it would appear you need to find what the water as saturated.

germanfan · 12-13-2012, 04:37 PM

one suggestion i also got was crank position sensor, moisture issues with them. drivers side bellhousing follow the cable...gonna blowdry it

tdoriot · 12-13-2012, 06:31 PM

You know it's due to moisture intrusion. Take the cover off your computer coffin and make sure that doesn't have any water in it ! That has been a problem for some guys in the past. Also check any ignition parts for moisture. Im not sure if your car has individual coil packs or distributor caps. If it has caps, remove those and check for moisture. If moisture enters those caps, it will condense when it cools down and you get ether a grounded spark or cross firing. All that said, it's a water issue !

germanfan · 12-13-2012, 07:42 PM

I'm new to this car and there is no manual available, where is the computer?

**SL BRABUS** · 12-13-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by germanfan

I'm new to this car and there is no manual available, where is the computer?

on the passenger side of the firewall of the engine..

...

RKH · 12-13-2012, 07:47 PM

Look at the area where the water drains down from the the windshield.

tdoriot · 12-13-2012, 07:56 PM

Assuming you have a left hand drive car, the computer bay is under a black plastic cover on the passengers side up near the windshield. You'll see an oblong over that I'd above another cover that has the 38 pin diagnostic connector. Check in that cavity, then take the cover off the aluminum computer coffin and make sure it's dry. That's a good starting point. Good luck !