I'll definitely look into a neutral safety switch ( I assume that's all I'd have since it's an Automatic car)

Just an update for tonight, cleaned the battery terminals but it didn't change anything. First start after hooking it back up it repeated the issue, then started on the next try. Talked to an independent shop here in town and he said it was pretty early to be having starter issues and didn't suspect that.

Also, I checked again this weekend and noticed I still have a 15A fuse in 52, but it isn't blown...so I'm going to remedy that immediately just to scratch that off as well, but I doubt that is the issue since it's not blown.

 

This thread reminded me to close out an old thread of mine, where my starting issue turned out to be the EIS:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ank-issue.html

Suggestion: When starting the car, turn the key gently in the start position, JUST enough to engage the starter. Don't turn the key all the way to the end stop. This was a workaround for my bad EIS that got me by for a while, and should it work for you, may point towards the EIS.

 

I had starter problems twice in the 80k miles I have owned my c240.. Can you maybe check this way? Check if the voltage drops significantly while you are trying to start the car.. If it does, then I would assume that the starter is given the command to crank and is trying to crank.. That's how I convinced myself it is the starter, but I might be wrong..

It would be better if there is a way to check if there is voltage on the starter.. Any ideas how to do this? I seemed to recall the starter being hard to get to..

 

Im no tech or anything and what Im about to tell you isnt even based on a Mercedes but most safety and security features on vehicle these days are based off of Mercedes.

In my 08 Volvo C30-R there is an electronic steering wheel lock and if parked on a hill or slope your car wont start or crank (aka limp mode) unless you turn the steering wheel to the left and then turn the key. I was having the same issue as you i would put the key in turn to listen for the fuel pump sound and turn to start. It would start 90% of the time but it chose the suckiest times to not start. Sometimes the key would even get stuck in the ignition and its like a Mercedes key. I had it towed to the dealership paid for by Volvo after the 100th no start no crank. They called me said it started right up and there are no codes I can come pick it up so I went and got it drove it home. Then about a week later it did it again so had them tow it up there again and this time it didnt start but still no light. They had to really look into to it now so I waited a couple days and they called said it was the sensor on the steering wheel lock and it got to hot and fouled out which made it seem as if the steering lock was engaged. The car would go into limp mode eveytime and wouldnt start or crank but all accessories and fuel pump would come on. They replaced the $40 part for $800. I have first hand experience in replacing a steering wheel lock and all the labor involved so i was okay with that because it wasnt covered by the warranty and I couldnt do it myself because its programmed to the car. They did it called me two days later and the car has run and started fine since.

Like I said before this was not in a Mercedes. It could possibly be your EIS since it has occurred in a Mercedes before.

I did get a 2006 C55 AMG 2 months ago and have had to change out the cps twice already. First replacement was faulty and the second one worked like a charm but thats a different thread.

Good Luck!

 

Just a small update. Finally changed fuse 52 to the 20 amp, even though the 15 amp wasn't blown. Haven't had a no start since (about 15 starts+ now)

We'll see if it lasts.

 

what component was that 15amp fuse for that you switched to the 20?

 

Start enable fuse for starter motor.

 

I'm having an extremely similar no start scenario on my 02 w215, do you think this night apply for my car also? I didn't see any blown fuses but I think someone mentioned something about the fuse not even being blown?