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Sorry for the length of this. I'm having a problem with my wife's 1988 240:
1) once in a while it won't start. Key in ignition, turn to start position, nothing happens... starter won't engage, nothing. Wait a while, take the key out, try again, starts right up. I've been guessing it's the ignition switch. I was putting that off b/c I heard replacing that is a big pain involving drilling out bolts, etc. Anyway I only mention it as it may be related to #3...
2) A month or so ago, the check engine light started staying on for a while after it started, went off once it got warm. I figured the oxygen sensor. Was also planning to change that (notice how that list never gets shorter?) But then...
3) Thanksgiving it wouldn't start, but this time it was cranking like crazy and wouldn't fire. It was cold and at night when we tried it, so I let it sit for the time being. Next day I ran through the easy checks on the ignition system, (all ok there), and I got it started after lots of cranking. I pulled one of the plugs -- a little oil there, probably rings in bad shape at 250k+ mi. But my wife drove it with no problem for the next week.
Then last weekend, we drive a few blocks across town, it's ok. An hour +/- later on the way back it's hesitating so badly, I have to pull over to get out of the way for traffic. Let it warm up a while and it's ok to get home. I replace the plugs, just for good measure. But the next morning the wife lets it warm up for 10 mins, gets half a block down the street on the way to work, and it's doing the same thing. She returns it to the driveway where it's been sitting.
Last year I went through the engine for different reasons and replaced the Mass Airflow sensor, the fuel filter, ignition module, coolant temp sensor, idle control valve, and coil.
The fact that it seems to be an on-again, off-again problem makes me think electrical? But the fact that it seems to be cold-weather related makes me think emissions control? The Haynes manual says that if the o2 sensor fails, though, the engine should run in open mode (which I can't think would make it do this? But what do I know?)
So before I invest in any pricey emissions or electrical parts hoping to guess what the culprit is, what can you all suggest?
I'm stretching myself to get this far in this problem, so suggestions spelled out the easy way would help.
THANKS!
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