S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

2003 S430 won't start in the morning

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Old 10-04-2016, 06:02 PM
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2003 S430
2003 S430 won't start in the morning

I'm having a strange problems with my 2003 S430 that happens about once a week. In the morning, and only in the morning, it just doesn't want to start. I've never had this problem at any other time of day.

I insert the key, turn it, and the electronics come on in the cabin, but I get NO sound of any kind from the engine. I've had the battery and starter checked at the shop and both are A-OK. They could find nothing wrong with anything related to starting the car.

4 out of 5 mornings it cranks up on the first try. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 tries. But on several occasions this year, I've tried so many times that I just gave up and took my wife's car.

My shop is stumped. I'm stumped. Any ideas?
Old 10-04-2016, 06:17 PM
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Possibly a starter relay that isn't working at times, or a starter itself. They can be intermittent. Good diagnostics should be able to track it down. Check for power flow when you are attempting to start but it won't crank, and if you have power to the starter, then replace the starter. If not, check why not.
Old 10-04-2016, 06:17 PM
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Longshot. Relative humidity is very high early in the morning. My cousin had a car that wouldn't start in the morning unless the engine was covered with newspaper the night before. That acted like a desiccant There are products to try these days. Follow the directions carefully.
http://www.autozone.com/miscellaneou...yer/60131_0_0/
Old 10-05-2016, 03:51 AM
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Originally Posted by haydentech
I'm having a strange problems with my 2003 S430 that happens about once a week. In the morning, and only in the morning, it just doesn't want to start. I've never had this problem at any other time of day.

I insert the key, turn it, and the electronics come on in the cabin, but I get NO sound of any kind from the engine. I've had the battery and starter checked at the shop and both are A-OK. They could find nothing wrong with anything related to starting the car.

4 out of 5 mornings it cranks up on the first try. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 tries. But on several occasions this year, I've tried so many times that I just gave up and took my wife's car.

My shop is stumped. I'm stumped. Any ideas?
use a hair dryer on the ignition switch to warm it up

typically what happens is solder breaks on the electrical contacts and they contract in the cold and separate , but when it warms up they make contact and work
Old 10-06-2016, 03:08 PM
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Well, it did it again this morning. Twice it sounded like it was going to start, then about 7 times I got nothing when I turned the key to the 3rd position. All together, I spent almost 5 minutes trying, giving it maybe 20-30 seconds between tries. I gave up and was walking inside when my wife walked out. She promptly got in the car and it started right up like nothing was wrong.
Old 10-06-2016, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by pjw1967
Longshot. Relative humidity is very high early in the morning. My cousin had a car that wouldn't start in the morning unless the engine was covered with newspaper the night before. That acted like a desiccant There are products to try these days. Follow the directions carefully.
http://www.autozone.com/miscellaneou...yer/60131_0_0/
I actually have some of that. Any good advice on where exactly to spray it so it would help my situation?
Old 10-06-2016, 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by ItalianJoe1
Possibly a starter relay that isn't working at times, or a starter itself. They can be intermittent. Good diagnostics should be able to track it down. Check for power flow when you are attempting to start but it won't crank, and if you have power to the starter, then replace the starter. If not, check why not.
Do you know of any guides on replacing or testing the starter relay? Normally I'm pretty good with searches, but coming up dry here.
Old 10-06-2016, 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by haydentech
I actually have some of that. Any good advice on where exactly to spray it so it would help my situation?
Plug wires and dist, back of alt, wires leading to starter.
Old 10-07-2016, 06:43 PM
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http://www.mercedesmedic.com/fuses-a...***-2000-2006/

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