I have a 6-speed coupe, and I notice in the morning it takes quite a few cranks to start. I have to hold the key all the way to the right for about 3-5 seconds. Actually its probably more like 2 seconds most of the time, but 2 seconds feels like a long time, and this morning it was about 4 seconds. it may be temperature dependent (its still cold in Michigan) but i was wondering if i should be worried?

 

Don't know about the length of time to start, but you don't need to hold the key in the starting position. Just turn there and let go-the car does the rest. (another little fun feature)

 

only automatics have the feature of just twisting on (no cranking needed). i like it and sometimes, i forget that my other car needs to be cranked...

sorry, cullen, i don't have any info on the length of time but i think 1-2 seconds would be normal.

 

I would phone your service dept. and book an appoitment to get them to take a look at it. 4-5 sec. seem's little too long for the engine to start. Mine take's like 2sec. and bang. It is also -1 in the mornings in calgary, so just take it in and get them to take a look at it. I wonder if it is your fuel pump?

 

I agree with Iceman. The time seems a bit long. Can't hurt to have it checked. If it's nothing, great. If it isn't, it's better to catch a small problem before it becomes a big one.

Lets us know the outcome.

 

I turn the key, let it go and the car starts. I don't hold it at all and I have a 6spd.

 

Has your fuel filter been changed lately? There is a tech bulletin about hard starting after a fuel fiter change.

 

i would take it in, but the problem is that if the car has been running recently, it starts up much quicker. So if i drive it to the dealer and they try it, it will start up in about 1-2 seconds, which is fine.. they would only notice it if they kept it over night, and even then they might say it's normal. Grrr.

 

I've got a 6-spd C240 and it starts quickly too, maybe about 1 sec. But, as Young has said, only the automatics have the "auto crank" feature. I think you're just stating that you only hold the key for a second or so before it starts.

 

Semi-hard starting here too. It takes a couple/three seconds to fire which seems to be twice as much as I'm used to. This started at about 5000 miles which also coincided with the change of seasons (temperature).

FWIW-1: I had a 95 Ford Ranger that would take longer to start the next morning if the temp. was hot the day before. In other words- if it was 85 and humid when I parked the truck and the next morning it was 60 and low humidity, it would tkae longer to start. My guess was that the ECU would remember the settings from the day before and try to start using the same parameters. My knowledge of Ford's engine management told me otherwise though (engine sensors take a reading before engine is cranked).

FWIW-2: I was later told by Honda service that the sensors/actuators need a couple seconds after turning the key to the "on" position to take a reading and adujst the parameters to the environment. I'll try this with the MB and see if it helps.

 

That's what I do and it seems to work well. Just turn the key on, wait a couple of seconds, and then continue turning it to the start position where you hold it until it starts. Waiting at the "on" position for that extra second seems to allow something to happen. I don't know quite what that something is, but I imagine the injectors "priming" the chambers or something, but that's just in my head :-)

 

I was told to do that with my old Porsche - turn the key to "on", buckle the seatbelt etc., then twist to "start". Thet let the fuel pump bring the system up to pressure.

I've rarely had a problem with our ML or the C32, both of which have the "twist and let go" feature.

Maybe twice in the 15 months we've had the ML32 did it not catch, first time.

Of course, when that happens, I just look stupidly at the instrument for several seconds, not knowing what to do! It was supposed to start and it didn't! What now?

 

Last few days , it was hard to start my auto C230K. Started up, idled rough for about 10-15 seconds. One time, the start sequence timed out, after about 15 seconds of trying to kick over, the ignition turned itself off.
Is it true, as suggested in some of the thread comments, that the key should be in the "on" position a few seconds before trying the starter ?
I've got about 6000 miles.

 

So, take it in and have them start it in the morning while the mornings are still cool. Hopefully, you'll get a nice loaner.