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C230 Electrical Issue - Car Won't Start
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
2003 C230 Kompressor
C230 Electrical Issue - Car Won't Start
Well, it's that time of the year again. Last January my timing chain skipped and bent a few valves (twice - about a month apart).
2003 C230 sedan, 125,000 miles. I've owned the car for about four years and no previous electrical issues.
This year it's some sort of electrical mystery:
Last sunday, I went out to the car in the morning and it was dead. I had it jumped, double checked to make sure I didn't leave any lights on, and went about my day. Side note: the guy that jumped with his portable pack said it was only holding 12 amps instead of the ~15 or so that it should.
After that, the car had a really tough time turning over. It seemed to be easier after short rests (running into Wawa for 5 minutes) than overnight when it sounded like it would barely start. I chalked it up to being cold, but then it died again on Wednesday after being off for only a few minutes. Jumped again because the first appointment I could get was this morning. Same thing - trouble starting, but it finally did and I made it to the indy shop. When they went to pull it into the garage it wouldn't start and even their "commercial grade" charger wouldn't get it started. And here we are.
They are beginning the diagnostics, but I wanted to get this thread started because you guys were a great help with the last issue.
Based on the searches here, I don't think it's the power seat module, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to rule anything out.
I'm going to mention to the shop to check Fuse 52 and see what they say.
Any initial ideas?
2003 C230 sedan, 125,000 miles. I've owned the car for about four years and no previous electrical issues.
This year it's some sort of electrical mystery:
Last sunday, I went out to the car in the morning and it was dead. I had it jumped, double checked to make sure I didn't leave any lights on, and went about my day. Side note: the guy that jumped with his portable pack said it was only holding 12 amps instead of the ~15 or so that it should.
After that, the car had a really tough time turning over. It seemed to be easier after short rests (running into Wawa for 5 minutes) than overnight when it sounded like it would barely start. I chalked it up to being cold, but then it died again on Wednesday after being off for only a few minutes. Jumped again because the first appointment I could get was this morning. Same thing - trouble starting, but it finally did and I made it to the indy shop. When they went to pull it into the garage it wouldn't start and even their "commercial grade" charger wouldn't get it started. And here we are.
They are beginning the diagnostics, but I wanted to get this thread started because you guys were a great help with the last issue.
Based on the searches here, I don't think it's the power seat module, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to rule anything out.
I'm going to mention to the shop to check Fuse 52 and see what they say.
Any initial ideas?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Batterys over 8 year old are prone to failure.
You should have a :-
Battery load test.If faulty replace with a AGM battery of the correct amp/hr rating
An alternator output test.
An electrical system leak test .
Good luck
Take a look at this . It may help.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ery-issue.html
You should have a :-
Battery load test.If faulty replace with a AGM battery of the correct amp/hr rating
An alternator output test.
An electrical system leak test .
Good luck
Take a look at this . It may help.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ery-issue.html
Last edited by Carsy; Feb 1, 2013 at 02:28 PM. Reason: extra info
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
2003 C230 Kompressor
Thanks, Carsy. That was pretty much our plan when I left this morning. I haven't heard back yet (he had another car to get to before mine), but he was going to pull the codes and do some basic test to see about the battery and alternator. When he calls I'll mention what you said specifically.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia
2003 C230 Kompressor
Just an update: culprit was the starter coil. As the battery was dying it must've been putting too much strain on the coil and, over time, it croaked. Simple enough, I guess.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: San Salvador, El Salvador
Mercedes Benz E500 2005
Hey!...mine died yesterday!..I can't get the engine to start!...so replacing the coil fixed your problem?...or you changed the alternator? Or the starter?...thank you
Last edited by Servellon; Apr 12, 2013 at 03:17 PM.
