cs106607

I stopped at the grocery store, car running flawless never had any issues, I came out of the store and put the key in the ignition and turned it and got nothing. All electrical systems work like normal, when I place the key in the dash says remove key from ignition, and there is a clicking noise (almost like turn signal noise but a little quieter).

Things I have investigated:
Tried spare key, same issue.

Battery is fine: tried to jump it and still same problem.

Checked all fuses, they are all fine.

Tried resetting the anti-theft system by using the lock and unlock the door 5 times with actual key. Tried to reset the key recognition by some voodoo I found on the internet. No luck.

Any suggestions? if this has already been answered im sorry i looked around a bit to no avail.

Glyn M Ruck

If the car does not crank & start enable fuses are OK

Then check starter relay.
Starter motor itself
ESL/EIS

cs106607

I will test the relay and starter tomorrow. I am terrified that it may be the electronic ignition switch. Are the ESL/EIS the same unit or is the steering lock separate? Know how much they are to purchase aftermarket/junkyard?

Thanks!

Invain15

Sorry to hear this is happening to you. Just happened to me two weeks ago. What you're describing is the exact same thing I was experiencing. Unfortunately mine was the EiS. If I were you I would get my car to the dealer ASAP.

Glyn M Ruck

ESL & EIS are separate. This needs proper diagnosis with a Star.

I don't know junkyard prices & the unit needs it's matching key/s

earlybird

I had the same problem last week. I went into a store, and when I came out and tried to start the car, nothing happened. I only heard a slight ticking noise instead of the sound that you usually hear when you put the key in the ignition. Also a battery boost did not work, so I had to get the car towed to the dealership.

They replaced the electronic steering lock. The total cost for the job was CAD$1,058 and it took 2 days for the repair.

Shawnee2

Same thing happened to me awhile back. I agree with earlybird. If you don't hear the normal whirling sound when you install the key, the steering lock does not disengage and won't start. Take to the dealer to repair as I think they have to be programed to the key. Seems to be a common problem. Mine cost me $800 dollars after I had some "friendly" discussions. Good luck

caligreenzzz

It's your EIS, I just had mine replaced last week....don't forgot to ask for 10% discount...

Glyn M Ruck

Please diagnose properly. It could very well be the EIS but I know of a lot of EIS's that have been replaced unnecessarily due to crap dealer diagnosis. They throw parts at the problem until it goes away.

cs106607

Why would there be a 10% discount?

What might be some other issues?

Glyn M Ruck

If not relay or motor. It can be ESL but not EIS. If it's only the ESL, as an example, then only replace the ESL.

cs106607

Got the car back yesterday, the fix ran me $700, the ESL was bad. The dealership originally quoted me at $1200 for the ESL/EIS, i asked if they knew for sure the EIS was bad as well, they said no but they usually do them as a pair to ensure an expedited repair. I told them **** that, start with the ESL since Star can actually diagnose there is a problem with it. Thanks for the heads up Glyn saved me about $500. All in all, sucks that I had to pay $100 for what you fellows helped me diagnose, love this forum. thanks everyone!

Glyn M Ruck

Pleased it's sorted. I'm afraid I have an attitude if it's not broken then leave well alone & save the bucks. It's not a preventive maintenance part.

tiyyara

I have an 08 c300 4 matic happened at 3.5 years of age, had to flat bed to dealership.
Ended up needing to change both ESL/EIS
Covered under warranty, otherwise I was told 1500 USD
Goog luck

Glyn M Ruck

Bump ~ This keeps coming up.

W204white2010

I asked my SA at Penske of West Covina, California about the EIS/ESL issue. SA firmly told me that it's a motor wear and tear thing, the motor is working every time you insert and remove key. He also added MBUSA will never cover wear and tear if warranty is up.

On a side note, Penske also stands firmly on changing 5qt for ATF, and not having to touch TC.

Glyn M Ruck

Yeah ~ well they are idiots.

The ESL is the wear part not the EIS.

C300Sport

I had noticed that my ESL was making a funny sound when the steering wheel unlocked. It sound a little slow and strained like it was struggling to release the lock.
Sure enough, it gave up on my last week and needed replacement. They quoted me $975 installed. I contacted MB USA and of course they wanted to say something along the lines of these never fail and I must be the first one ever, etc.... I brought up information I have found on the forums such as MB World, etc and they agreed to give me $200 assistance. I was still out $775 but I guess any discount was better than nothing. Hoping that it finally gets a recall like the tail light issue.
Just curious, has anyone else "heard" their ESL struggling before it died on them?

tiyyara

sudden death in my case!
Litterally, parked, locked. Went into Kinko's picked up a package. And then nothing, NADA.
DEAD!

mac911

Glyn, are the ESLs pretty much guaranteed to go out then?

We appreciate your knowledge. You are truly saving people money and making the headaches a bit smaller!

Bluehardtail

If you start to have to pull the key out and try again, report it if your warranty running out. I had this trouble and didn't, figuring it was just a fluke and it went bad 2 months out of warranty. It was close to $2,000 for both units!!! MBUSA did absolutely nothing for me but a gift of $150 to spend at the dealer!!!really??? The car is being traded in today on a BMW. I won't drive a car from a company that doesn't take responsibility for their mistakes and forces it on the consumer. I just won't. Pissed would be an understatement!

BenzDogg716

Would this issue be covered by a standard extended warranty? I've been thinking about one but only have 23k on the dash so figured I'd push it off a cple yrs. Maybe I should rethink?

menappi

This ESL issue is starting to scare me. I hadn't heard of this before getting my used C350 but now I'm reading about issues all over the place. Is this something that is almost guaranteed to go ? Any preventative measures to hopefully extend the life??

spyked

I hear ya! It is concerning, for sure. Makes you wonder if owning an older W204 is worth the money. What happens if you need 4 inside door handles and an ESL/EIS replacement? That's over $5k in repairs right there. There will come a point where the car isn't worth the repair costs.

That said....I don't think it's the end of the world, but you might just want to set aside funds for EIS/ESL and broken door handles (hopefully not all 4 at once). You have a 350, so you don't have to worry about the 4Matic transfer case.

Bluehardtail

Do yourself a favor if you don't like getting kicked in the groin. Forget the c class! Find another brand. I ended up with a BMW 335xi---a little rocket! I love it! Don't fall for the " I only paid $900 instead of $2000 for the repair, was I lucky!" line ! We all lost money that Mercedes should have paid!! I just couldn't buy from a company that didn't care about my experience! You're going to end up losing money after you take a beating when the news gets out about these lemons. Besides---extended warranty suck. They are in the business of NOT paying you! Believe me--I know from experience!---especially continental warranty -RETHNK!