C320 won't start (again)
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mercedes C320
C320 won't start (again)
2001 C320 won't start (again) 3rd time in last two weeks...Here are the problems in a nutshell:
First time, doors would unlock but car wouldn't start. I was able to
turn the key back and forth in the ignition (and dashboard lights came
on) but just got a clicking sound so I knew the battery was dead. After jump-starting the car, we drove for 500 miles. We took it to a MB dealership, it checked OK for battery, starter and alternator.
Second time, last weekend, turned the car off for only about 15 minutes on the gas station. Remote
unlocked doors but no response from ignition. Key would not move
inside the ignition. Pulled the key out, retried a few more times
then it started.
Third time, the doors were unlocked (and I know I didn't leave them
unlocked, weird). The fob key would not lock/unlock doors and did not
move inside the ignition at all. No dashboard lights, no signs of life
at all. Completely dead.
Does anyone know what can be wrong? I appreciate your help. -Dali
First time, doors would unlock but car wouldn't start. I was able to
turn the key back and forth in the ignition (and dashboard lights came
on) but just got a clicking sound so I knew the battery was dead. After jump-starting the car, we drove for 500 miles. We took it to a MB dealership, it checked OK for battery, starter and alternator.
Second time, last weekend, turned the car off for only about 15 minutes on the gas station. Remote
unlocked doors but no response from ignition. Key would not move
inside the ignition. Pulled the key out, retried a few more times
then it started.
Third time, the doors were unlocked (and I know I didn't leave them
unlocked, weird). The fob key would not lock/unlock doors and did not
move inside the ignition at all. No dashboard lights, no signs of life
at all. Completely dead.
Does anyone know what can be wrong? I appreciate your help. -Dali
#4
Super Moderator
Yep! ~ unreliable handshake between Key & EIS. The key is inductively powered by the EIS so batteries in the key have nothing to do with this.
See start enable process in the Wiki.
EDIT ~ make sure that the IR window in the end of the key & in the EIS is clean. You can safely clean with a cotton bud & alcohol.
See start enable process in the Wiki.
EDIT ~ make sure that the IR window in the end of the key & in the EIS is clean. You can safely clean with a cotton bud & alcohol.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 09-10-2012 at 01:19 PM.
#6
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mercedes C320
One more question. If the EIS is malfunctioning, why is it more
likely to happen after the car sits for a while? And why doesn't it
happen every time we try to start it?
likely to happen after the car sits for a while? And why doesn't it
happen every time we try to start it?
Trending Topics
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
#10
I am a newbie but sounds just like what happened to me.. Damn power seat module thing was draining the battery... but I could be wrong. Jump it off and run like stink. Then it would drain the battery while sitting.
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
With as many EIS equipped cars as there are now - basically every Mercedes with only a few exceptions since 1998 - I'd say they've done pretty well.
#15
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mercedes C320
How can I check what exactly is draining battery? Is there a such device to check fuses? Can I unplug something that I do not need?
#16
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New York
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mercedes C320
Yep! ~ unreliable handshake between Key & EIS. The key is inductively powered by the EIS so batteries in the key have nothing to do with this.
See start enable process in the Wiki.
EDIT ~ make sure that the IR window in the end of the key & in the EIS is clean. You can safely clean with a cotton bud & alcohol.
See start enable process in the Wiki.
EDIT ~ make sure that the IR window in the end of the key & in the EIS is clean. You can safely clean with a cotton bud & alcohol.
New battery and 20 AMP fuse solved the problem.
THANK YOU ALL!
#18
Super Member
Another case of checking the easy and least expensive trouble-points first.
Glyn usually makes the call on Fuse 52,.... I don't know how he missed it this time,... but it just goes to show,... calling Fuse 52 is "not easy"!
BTW,... the Chinese members of the forum should get it,... in Chinese the pronunciation of the number 5 sounds like the Chinese word for "not" and the pronunciation of the number 2 sounds like the Chinese word for "easy",.... thus saying "5 2" in Chinese would sounds like "not easy" in Chinese. I know, I know,.... There, I beat you to it!
Glyn usually makes the call on Fuse 52,.... I don't know how he missed it this time,... but it just goes to show,... calling Fuse 52 is "not easy"!
BTW,... the Chinese members of the forum should get it,... in Chinese the pronunciation of the number 5 sounds like the Chinese word for "not" and the pronunciation of the number 2 sounds like the Chinese word for "easy",.... thus saying "5 2" in Chinese would sounds like "not easy" in Chinese. I know, I know,.... There, I beat you to it!
#19
Super Moderator
Yep! I have a fuse 52 warning in the start enable thread in the Wiki.
I'm travelling hence only sporadic log in.
I'm travelling hence only sporadic log in.
#20
I had this same problem in my 2001 c320 that i just got. Both keys wouldn't unlock the car and wouldn't turn in the ignition when we finally got the car unlocked. It would only work sometimes, like really late at night or really early in the morning but after those times I encountered the same problem. took it to the dealership, $1400 to fix.
#21
SAME PROBLEM
I`M HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM... CAR SOME TIMES DOESNT RESPOND TO THE KEY AND SOMETIMES DOESNT START... HE ALSO DIED TWO TIMES IN THE STREET WHILE RUNNING, FEW HOURS LATER BACK TO NORMAL. ALREADY CHECKED FOR THE FUSE 52 AND IT SEEMS FINE...ANYONE?
C320 2001 W203
C320 2001 W203