electrical problems, does not start
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2014
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C240
electrical problems, does not start
So, i have bought this car from dealer ship 2 weeks ago, it is 2001c240 manual transmission. After 3 days of my purchase the car would not start, so i jump started it, next day it would not start again, so i went to autozone they checked my battery life and told me it is time to change it, i paid 160$ And got a brand new battery. It was fine for 4 days, in that 4 days my power steering pump broke, but still able to drive. Now that i have brand new battery it is still not starting, i have to jump start it every morning, and usually when i jump start a car it starts in just a second, but with my c240 i connect the batteries and wait about a minute or 2 for the car to start. When it starts i see on the display ESP (elec. problem not stable) or sth like that. Please let me know what it could be, i love this car and i dont want to sell it.
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
It sounds as if something is flattening the battery. Most common causes are the front seat modules not going to sleep & the HVAC sniffer fan in the overhead module not going to sleep & draining the battery.
The things you are seeing in the display are typical of low voltage.
Also see the cable connector block on the engine compartment firewall for signs of corrosion or burning.
The things you are seeing in the display are typical of low voltage.
Also see the cable connector block on the engine compartment firewall for signs of corrosion or burning.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
Alternator may not be working properly to replenish the battery.
Take a voltmeter and check the voltage WHILE the engine is running. Tell us what voltage reading you get.
Take a voltmeter and check the voltage WHILE the engine is running. Tell us what voltage reading you get.
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 174
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From: Mississauga, Canada
2003 CL203 C320, 2002 W208 CLK320 cabriolet, 2012 A207 E350 cabriolet, 2011 X204 GLK350 4matic
If you want, you can do a parasitic draw test to isolate the issue. It requires a voltometer, and your fuse box! There's also a fuse box in the rear, you want to check that as well. Turn the car off, and start pulling fuses. Test each fuse. If one of them is abnormally high (excluding anti-theft), that would usually be the source of the issue. As Glyn said, it's usually the seat modules.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2014
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C240
so i went to auto zone today, they checked the battery and everything is fine voltage is 12.51, the level of alternator is fine it is 13.5, they told me that is normal. I also learned that if it would be the alternator the car would also stop while i am driving, tomorrow i am going to check the starter (any ideas or DIY videos of how to check???). fuses are all good, no corrosion
anywhere in the hood or close to the battery, it is super clean. is there anything else you could suggest me to check???
anywhere in the hood or close to the battery, it is super clean. is there anything else you could suggest me to check???
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 300
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From: Northwest Arkansas
2016 C450
so i went to auto zone today, they checked the battery and everything is fine voltage is 12.51, the level of alternator is fine it is 13.5, they told me that is normal. I also learned that if it would be the alternator the car would also stop while i am driving, tomorrow i am going to check the starter (any ideas or DIY videos of how to check???). fuses are all good, no corrosion
anywhere in the hood or close to the battery, it is super clean. is there anything else you could suggest me to check???
anywhere in the hood or close to the battery, it is super clean. is there anything else you could suggest me to check???
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2014
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C240
I unplugged the modules and eft it overnight. thus morning it started fine, had no issues. any ideas on what i should do next? do i need to replace cables or modules or what?
thank you all a lot this is very helpful forum
thank you all a lot this is very helpful forum
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Replace the modules. Ones from the E Class give less trouble. Or you can do a mod. See thread by TemjinX2
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
