intermittent starting problems
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: London ON Canada
2005 230 Kompressor Coupe, 1977 Suzuki PE 250, 1977 Suzuki RM250, 1987 Toyota Supra
intermittent starting problems
Hi Guys; I hope you can help me. My 2005 C230 Compressor Coupe is giving me starting problems. This is what happens. I try to start the car and sometimes it refuses to turn over. This happens more often than not first thing in the morning.
This is the process I go thru.
1. Insert the key and the car initializes.
2. Turn to the second position and I wait for the stereo and emergency brake light to go on.
3. At the third position all the rest of the dash lights and guages go on.
4. I depress the clutch pedal and turn the key. Sometimes the car refuses to crank. Other times it cranks very briefly...almost like it was flooded. If this happens I go thru the entire process again. The car always starts (probably on the second or third attempt).
I have searched the threads and I've done a couple of things: I cleaned the key and the ignition switch where the key is inserted with alcohol. I also inserted a 20 amp fuse in the #52 position.
Immediately after this, I tried to start the car and it refused to start.
Is it possible there is simply a loose connection at the starter motor, or somewhere else? I am not terrible mechanically minded but don't mind getting a little dirty.
If anyone can help me I would really appreciate it.
Thanks Doug
This is the process I go thru.
1. Insert the key and the car initializes.
2. Turn to the second position and I wait for the stereo and emergency brake light to go on.
3. At the third position all the rest of the dash lights and guages go on.
4. I depress the clutch pedal and turn the key. Sometimes the car refuses to crank. Other times it cranks very briefly...almost like it was flooded. If this happens I go thru the entire process again. The car always starts (probably on the second or third attempt).
I have searched the threads and I've done a couple of things: I cleaned the key and the ignition switch where the key is inserted with alcohol. I also inserted a 20 amp fuse in the #52 position.
Immediately after this, I tried to start the car and it refused to start.
Is it possible there is simply a loose connection at the starter motor, or somewhere else? I am not terrible mechanically minded but don't mind getting a little dirty.
If anyone can help me I would really appreciate it.
Thanks Doug
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, CA
2005 C320 Sport, 2010 C300 Sport
Have you had any check engine lights come up? Usually, a light will come on if the car cranks but does not start.
How does the car react after it's warmed up? Does it start regularly or does it have more trouble after a quick drive?
There's a possibility that it may be your crankshaft position sensor. That seems to be a common problem that's been reported on the forums.
How does the car react after it's warmed up? Does it start regularly or does it have more trouble after a quick drive?
There's a possibility that it may be your crankshaft position sensor. That seems to be a common problem that's been reported on the forums.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
If it is your original battery it will be 8 years old & very likely causing your problem.
Check for corrosion on your battery terminals & whether the clamps are tight.
Have a battery load test & alternator check at your battery shop or auto electrician .
Good luck.
Check for corrosion on your battery terminals & whether the clamps are tight.
Have a battery load test & alternator check at your battery shop or auto electrician .
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: London ON Canada
2005 230 Kompressor Coupe, 1977 Suzuki PE 250, 1977 Suzuki RM250, 1987 Toyota Supra
Hi Carsy and NRG Mike: Thanks for your input.
Carsy, I had the battery changed about 90 days ago and we installed the right battery
(MB's specs). But I will get the test you suggest done.
NRG Mike, I have had no CEL light display and I do own an OBDII scanner. The car runs perfectly. No issues at all other than a reluctance to start sometimes.
Last but not least...I'm gonna try using my second key. Should have thought of this before. Will let you know.
Thanks Doug
Carsy, I had the battery changed about 90 days ago and we installed the right battery
(MB's specs). But I will get the test you suggest done.
NRG Mike, I have had no CEL light display and I do own an OBDII scanner. The car runs perfectly. No issues at all other than a reluctance to start sometimes.
Last but not least...I'm gonna try using my second key. Should have thought of this before. Will let you know.
Thanks Doug
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
If fuse 52 is good you might have a sticky starter solenoid or the clutch interlock is playing up. The start procedure requires interrogation of the CPS & Temp sensor. Make sure both are operational.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ank-issue.html
Also see Wiki:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...t-process.html
With a manual tranny you have the clutch interlock to consider on top of this.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ank-issue.html
Also see Wiki:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...t-process.html
With a manual tranny you have the clutch interlock to consider on top of this.
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Sep 15, 2013 at 10:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: London ON Canada
2005 230 Kompressor Coupe, 1977 Suzuki PE 250, 1977 Suzuki RM250, 1987 Toyota Supra
Thanks Glyn.
Today I tried my second key and it started right up. I've done this about 4 times today and every time I get an immediate start. So then I went back to my old key, and no problems there either. So a total of about 6 or 7 starts without problems.
Question...is it possible that when I switched the fuse there is some sort of "handshake" that has to happen? Immediately after switching the fuse, I tried to start the car and it wouldn't crank.
So far today, at least the problem seems fixed (I hope). What do you think?
Thanks Doug
Today I tried my second key and it started right up. I've done this about 4 times today and every time I get an immediate start. So then I went back to my old key, and no problems there either. So a total of about 6 or 7 starts without problems.
Question...is it possible that when I switched the fuse there is some sort of "handshake" that has to happen? Immediately after switching the fuse, I tried to start the car and it wouldn't crank.
So far today, at least the problem seems fixed (I hope). What do you think?
Thanks Doug
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Only time will tell ~ Monitor for a while & let us know.
Fuse 52 is required for cranking but also check 31 & 57. All three are required for start enable.
Fuse 52 is required for cranking but also check 31 & 57. All three are required for start enable.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: London ON Canada
2005 230 Kompressor Coupe, 1977 Suzuki PE 250, 1977 Suzuki RM250, 1987 Toyota Supra
The problem seems to be fixed...no further mishaps so I assume the fuse replacement did the trick.
Many thanks to those who helped me, I really appreciate the input.
Thanks Doug
Many thanks to those who helped me, I really appreciate the input.
Thanks Doug
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: London ON Canada
2005 230 Kompressor Coupe, 1977 Suzuki PE 250, 1977 Suzuki RM250, 1987 Toyota Supra
Hi guys. Been a long time and my intermittent starting problems have resurfaced. I've cleaned the key and the ignition area (very carefully). The problem seems to be getting worse. Any thoughts?
Thanks Doug
Thanks Doug
