C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Random crank, no start

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Old Jun 10, 2014 | 10:39 AM
  #1  
neurodave's Avatar
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From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
Random crank, no start

So I purchased my 2001 C320 w/ just about 100K miles on it roughly 2 weeks ago. In 2 separate occasions when I have gone to start the car, it cranks but doesn't start. I turn the key it cranks, I let go of the key, it keeps cranking for 1-2 seconds more and stops. The 1st time it happened, it started right up after the first attempt, yesterday it took 3 turns of the key for it to start. Runs fine afterward. Is this a common issue, and is there anything I should be looking for?
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Old Jun 10, 2014 | 12:27 PM
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
Try to diagnose the car first,

starter relay or CPS are most common with start issues....!!

ZAYED,,
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Old Jun 10, 2014 | 03:13 PM
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2001 Silverado
Originally Posted by cm60k
Try to diagnose the car first,

starter relay or CPS are most common with start issues....!!

ZAYED,,
I was gonna say I'd start with the starter then move on to position sensors.
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 10:10 AM
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From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
Replaced crankshaft sensor, problem went away for a couple of weeks, but now it's back. Could it be because I didn't use a "MB" part?
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 11:10 AM
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From: A.D., U.A.E
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What kind of CPS you put..?

ZAYED,,
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:14 PM
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From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
Originally Posted by cm60k
What kind of CPS you put..?

ZAYED,,
I used this one:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/b...osition+sensor
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Old Aug 5, 2014 | 04:40 PM
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I'm not sure what's this brand, but looks strange..!,

you should only use MB or Bosch one, it's soo risky to go with any other brands..!!

Random crank, no start-bosch-cps.jpg

ZAYED,,
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 09:34 AM
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late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
We seem to have a rash of non starters at the moment.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...turn-over.html

Also waggle the shift lever around in Park or Neutral. I'm beginning to wonder if we are having interlock issues on older cars. Dirty shifter switches.
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 10:22 AM
  #9  
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From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
We seem to have a rash of non starters at the moment.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...turn-over.html

Also waggle the shift lever around in Park or Neutral. I'm beginning to wonder if we are having interlock issues on older cars. Dirty shifter switches.
Well in my scenario it cranks and I can feel the car trying to turn over, but it doesn't. After about 4-6 tries of turning the key, removing and trying again, it starts up perfectly. It's the same scenario from when my crankshaft sensor was apparently going.
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Old Sep 2, 2014 | 10:40 PM
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From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
So the problem became more of a once a week thing, but it happened roughly 5 times today. It cranks, I can hear the fuel pump turning on, but it just sits there and cranks until it stops by itself and then I take the key out and put it back in. Most of the time, it starts after the second attempt, but sometimes it takes more. Maybe the fuel filter? Not sure where to go. The crankshaft was not a Bosch part, but I have no codes and the engine being warm doesn't seem to make a difference....
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Old Sep 3, 2014 | 03:36 AM
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Have you checked the fuel pressure while cranking?
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Old Sep 3, 2014 | 11:56 AM
  #12  
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From: Jersey City, NJ
2001 C320 w/ Sprt Pkg
Originally Posted by Glyn M Ruck
Have you checked the fuel pressure while cranking?
Not yet, not sure how to, and I don't believe I have the tools to do so. Trying everything else that I can manage prior to putting it in the hands of an Indy.
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Old Sep 3, 2014 | 07:52 PM
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Simply put you need a pressure gauge to put on the car tyre type valve on the front fuel rail & get someone to crank the engine. Just like checking a tyre pressure.

People like Autozone loan them out. Or at least used to when I lived in the US.
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