chile62

Warning: Severe misuse and abuse of the English language ahead

2004 C32 AMG, 81,XXX miles, completely stock (no mods).
The wife and i went for ride, about 25 or 30 miles into our ride i felt a little hesitation, it only lasted about a second. No CEL or any other warnings appeared so we kept riding for another few miles. Stopped at a convenience store to get a couple of drinks, (when we stopped, everything was normal, no warnings of any kind) when i went to start the car, the engine would not turn over. Checked all the fuses in the car, no blown fuses.
when i turn the key, everything is normal, i can hear the fuel pump come on but it will not crank. Took the starter relay out, and used a jumper to crank the engine, engine cranks over and sounds normal, but will not start and run.
Transmission shifter will not come out of "P", imagine my troubles trying to get it on a tow dolly with the car in "park" at 3:30AM (steering wheel lock, disengages normally with the key)
Only 2 issues with this car since i have owned it, about 4 years now.
Replaced the battery about 2 years ago, and the alternator about 6 months ago.
Can i get some suggestions please?
Thanks.
Ed

Scanned it, no present or stored codes.

Lenin

Maybe a crank position sensor. See if the car starts up when it cools down.

chile62

24 hours later, still wont crank.

Ed.

insame1

I would first search for the answer but I would also check the brake light switch and the tcu. Get it scanned

chile62

I have searched this forum for the issue i am having, i have not found a similar experience.

I have scanned this car 5 or 6 times, there are no codes present or stored.

Brakelights work when i push on the pedal.

Everything else works fine (stereo, command, wipers, headlights etc etc) when i try to crank it with the key, nothing happens.

If i remove the starter relay and jump the 2 terminals on the relay block, the engine cranks, but it will not start and run.

Ed

kbob999

The clue may be not getting it out of Park. I believe there is a switch in the shifter mechanism that does not allow you to crank the engine if not in Park or Neutral. It may have failed so you can no longer move the shifter from Park, and the car won't crank.
The R230 (SL55 in my case) has a plastic lever that breaks and prevents shifting from Park, but I believe the car is able to start. It is a beotch to remove the shift housing and tear apart, but I've done it.
Investigate and see what you can find. Let us know the fix.

Kostas20

Our cars have two pumps in the fuel tanks, one for sending fuel to the engine, and one for priming the small bucket that the main pump is in.

If you can hear the whirl of a pump going when attempting to start the car you may only be hearing the primer pump.

It is a long shot, but given your situation it may be worth it to quickly check if you have pressure at the fuel rail when trying to start.

Unfortunately the fact that you have to bypass the starter and even then it won't crank, probably means something is telling the ecu to not let the engine start.

insame1

When i say search I really mean googel. You can put mbworld at the end of the search to search this site. Also what scanner are you using. If it is not star or DAS I would go get it scanned.

chile62

I was able to get the shifter unlocked, so i can at least get it off the tow dolly.
This was posted by another member here (forgot to get his name, all credit goes to him) In the cupholder area, using a flat blade screw driver, pry up the coin holder, you will see a round hole in there.
Insert the flat blade screw driver in the hole, and push the little black tab straight towards the front of the car. Now your shifter is unlocked.

Ran the shifter through all the gears, while holding the key in the crank position, still will not crank.

Ignition switch?

Khan 55

A car wont start if you don't have fuel, spark and compression. Your engine is turning so compression should be there but is it correct? As they mentioned try to check for fuel supply pressure. Then find a way to check the spark. Did you try to remove the battery completely and then reconnect it after some time has passed to see if anything changes? Pls NB battery removal procedure before you blow a SAM module
Many have had success by replacing the cam or crank sensor on the engine.

chile62

When i turn the key to the 3rd position (crank) my engine does not crank, (does not turn, doesnt do anything) bypassing the starter relay gets the engine turning or cranking. fuel pressure seems OK at schraeder valve. Will check for spark.

Khan 55

So you say its not cranking my bad. If you could get someone to diagnose the ignition switch itself, then it would be better for you before you go ahead and replace the entire unit without testing. Did you the battery disconnect?

chile62

I havent been able to do anything to it. I have heart issues (i have already had 2 heart attacks) and my chest has been hurting a little in the last few days, (could be that this car has me stressed out)
Hopefully i will get to it Saturday.

Thanks.

C3Duece

subbing

Khan 55

Sorry to hear that. Pity I aint up the road. Would have come by and landed a hand or two.

nicks158

I do not think this a mechanical issue with your drive train. It sounds like a security issue, try using a different key. Especially if there are no codes stored, it leads me to believe your car is just not letting you start it.

-Nick

chile62

Thank you Nick, I did try the other key, the results are the same

Roger Hansson

hi. i have the same issue one time.probably you already try this? .i did go out of the car locked it with the remote key then lock it up get in the car put the key in and try crank it.

chile62

Thanks Roger, i will try.

chile62

Thank you, i tried your suggestion but still wont crank.

Roger Hansson

sorry to hear that, if you find out whats wrong pleace post so we can learn

Khan 55

Chile. Did you remove the car battery? As in remove the + and - terminals and leave the battery out of the car for atleast an hour or more?

chile62

Yes i did, had the battery out of the car for about 8 hours.

Thank you, i appreciate any and all suggestions.

insame1

Have you had this thing scanned on STAR yet?

Khan 55

blind me. Oh well only way you will see something is as mentioned above. Connect a * scanner to the car. Hope you win soon.