starting problems with a C280
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Ashburnham, Ma
1998 C280
starting problems with a C280
I have a 1998 C280, and its great and all except one thing, randomly the car will not start. It will take 2 or sometimes 10 turns of the key before it will finally start. I have taken it in to get it looked at, and no one has been able to find a problem. I was hoping someone else has had a similar problem and knows how to fix it. Thanks.
-Eric
-Eric
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: LI, NY
02 W163, 84 W123, 03 E39, 98 E39
Try this first
I try the easyest thing first. Clean your battery teminals and conections. Intermittant starting problems could just be oxidation on one of the terminals.
I had this happen to me and cleaning the terminals was all that was needed. If this dosn't help, then check into a new battery.
I had this happen to me and cleaning the terminals was all that was needed. If this dosn't help, then check into a new battery.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: LI, NY
02 W163, 84 W123, 03 E39, 98 E39
Clean terminals
One would think that a reputable place would clean your terminals if that is the only problem.
It only takes a couple of min to clean the terminals in your driveway at home. To go to Sears or some other place to have the battery checked could take an hour or more, driving, waiting on line, waiting for your car to be checked, etc.
It just seems such an easy, quick thing to do at home.
It only takes a couple of min to clean the terminals in your driveway at home. To go to Sears or some other place to have the battery checked could take an hour or more, driving, waiting on line, waiting for your car to be checked, etc.
It just seems such an easy, quick thing to do at home.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Ashburnham, Ma
1998 C280
I don't think its the battery
This has been a problem that has been happening 6 months after we bought the car new. It has continued after every battery change. But I'll try cleaning the terminals anyways, thanks.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 235
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From: Madrid, Spain
1996 C220 (W202) and E320 (w210)
if ya get a clicking sound, its the battery, but since you have changed it thats not the problem.
a month ago my other merc (e-class) would not start until the 10th turn or so of the key, the engine tried to start but it didnt. so the dealer changed the battery, and nothin changed, then they looked at the starter motor and thought of changing it (i refused completely, it only has 60k miles) and then they loked at the water pump. none of these were the cause for which the engine wouldnt start. i took it later to my local mechanic and he just out of curiosity took the ignition switch (the keyhole behind the steering wheel) and we saw two loose cables
so the guy just rigged them up again to the terminals and suddenly:
IT WAS FIXED!
then again, this was a very weird case cos the useless people at the stealership never knew this could be the source of the problem. i happened to save mo than $600 if i had left it in the dealer!
a month ago my other merc (e-class) would not start until the 10th turn or so of the key, the engine tried to start but it didnt. so the dealer changed the battery, and nothin changed, then they looked at the starter motor and thought of changing it (i refused completely, it only has 60k miles) and then they loked at the water pump. none of these were the cause for which the engine wouldnt start. i took it later to my local mechanic and he just out of curiosity took the ignition switch (the keyhole behind the steering wheel) and we saw two loose cables
so the guy just rigged them up again to the terminals and suddenly:
IT WAS FIXED!
then again, this was a very weird case cos the useless people at the stealership never knew this could be the source of the problem. i happened to save mo than $600 if i had left it in the dealer!
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