Hello everyone. I’ve been reading about the “crank but no start problems” with some of our 240’s and they’ve been helpful. I’ve got an issue with my 1991 240 sedan that seems a bit different though.

Periodically, I will have the classic crank but no start. Sometimes the car will go, “duuut dut dut dut dut dut dut dut dut dut dut dut dut,” and simply will not start. Sometimes this will persist until I’ve drained the battery and have to jump the car, just to have it continue doing the same thing. However, sometimes it will crank a little differently and go, “duuut dut dut dut dut – grunt – dut dut dut dut – grunt – dut dut – grunt – dut – grunt dut dut dut dut, vroom and start up. This grunting, if you will, sounds almost as if the car is trying to “catch” or get “hung up” on something. And when I hear this “grunt/catch”, I feel pretty confident that it’s gonna start if not right then, soon. Also, sometimes these happen together and sometimes not.

Now, the last time this happened was about two weeks ago. Prior to that, it was the beginning of summer. At that time, it wouldn’t start for about a week. Then, I went outside one day and tried it and if fired right up without any hesitation. Huh? I drove it all summer, even to North Carolina and back! Two weeks ago, the problem comes back for a couple days and then disappears once again. I’m utterly puzzled.

I must say that I’m not as experienced at “diagnostics” as many of you are, I’m more of a “replace a part and see if it works” kinda guy. I know that can get expensive though, but many of these things needed doing anyway. Having said that, things I’ve done so far include:

• Swapped a known good starter
• Cap and rotor
• Plugs
• Wires
• Pump relay
• In tank/lift pump
• Main pump (was buzzing anyway, and don’t think it was related)
• Verified fuel delivery at fuel rail (nice gusher)
• Swapped ignition control unit
• Swapped fuel system control unit
• Pressure regulator

I think that about covers it.

Lastly, I can’t determine any other circumstance that seem to correlate with my no start problem… no half a tank versus full tank, hot weather versus cold, jiggling the key in the ignition, car sitting level or at an angle, etc. Once it starts, it runs and drives like a champ; smooth at idle and all other speeds, no hesitation, and good power. Has anyone seen this before? My gut is telling me it’s probably something very simple. Any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everybody.