I am helping someone else troubleshoot their 87 300D. I have an 84 and am very familiar with it, but not sure what parts transferred over through the generation change.
The engine turns over but doesn't try to start. They have replaced the fuel filters. I have sent them an E-mail askign if they are sure they got the air out of the filter, but they have not answered. I don' think that air was the problem since the car ran fine, then wouldn't start, and only then did the they change the filter.
They have taken off the intake manifold and ensured that there is nothing obstructing it. The entire intake system is clear.
I have two ideas. Either the injector pump is bad, or the switch to shut the fuel off on shut down is stuck in the shut off position. I have sent them instructions to crack open a fuel line and check for fuel. Do those switches fail and get stuck in the shut down position though? I've never experienced that, and have heard of several people having them not work and have seen two cars where it wouldn't work. But I've never experienced a 300d where that swithc prevented startup. Does this happen?
If so, how do I check that? Is there a lever that it pushes on? If it is faulty, and I remove that switch, will the engine then be able to start or will there now be a gaping hole in the back of the IP?
I have not yet seen the car. Any knowledge I can get before actually seeing it would be appreciated since I doubt we will have internet access where it is.
Thanks a ton, Bill