Crank but no start? HELP PLEASEEEEE!
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E230 W210
Crank but no start? HELP PLEASEEEEE!
HELP PLEASE! 
Today my car stalled coming out of the Jack in the Box. Then it wouldn't start. It cranks but doesn't start.
The only thing I've recently done is clean the throttle body with carb cleaner. And I changed the oil.
Car is a 2005 C230 Kompressor Sedan. Thank you.
Today my car stalled coming out of the Jack in the Box. Then it wouldn't start. It cranks but doesn't start.
The only thing I've recently done is clean the throttle body with carb cleaner. And I changed the oil.
Car is a 2005 C230 Kompressor Sedan. Thank you.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Sounds like your fuel pump died. Not a difficult job, but you'll need a ring tool. The good news is the pump is accessed through the back seat, on the R side. There's a hatch.
How many km on your car?
Your starter is probably not far behind either. There's also a DIY for that one in the sticky.
How many km on your car?
Your starter is probably not far behind either. There's also a DIY for that one in the sticky.
Last edited by slammer111; Oct 4, 2023 at 11:31 PM.
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E230 W210
Hey thanks so much slammer. So I actually have 3 codes all pointing at the throttle body (potentiomenter, PWM, etc.)
So I'm assuming I must have damaged it when I cleaned it.
I have 137,000 miles.
So I'm assuming I must have damaged it when I cleaned it.
I have 137,000 miles.
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
It's possible, but I should mention that you're in the mileage range where the fuel pump and starter die (200-250k km).
I would argue that the throttle body is unrelated to this failure. My fuel pump just died one day. Worked fine the day before. Same deal with the starter.
If in doubt, simply replace the throttle body to take it out of the equation. I've never heard of anyone having a throttle body fail, so I'm sure any unit from a wrecker will work if you want to save a few bucks.
I would argue that the throttle body is unrelated to this failure. My fuel pump just died one day. Worked fine the day before. Same deal with the starter.
If in doubt, simply replace the throttle body to take it out of the equation. I've never heard of anyone having a throttle body fail, so I'm sure any unit from a wrecker will work if you want to save a few bucks.
Last edited by slammer111; Oct 4, 2023 at 11:42 PM.
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Okay so maybe it is indeed a throttle body failure. If there's nothing wrong with the connector, the next thing I would try is to dry out the electronics if you drenched the thing in cleaner.
Beyond that, the effort to repair drastically goes up if you fried something on the PCB. You're looking at a replacement unit.
The TB on these cars generally don't need cleaning. Mine was almost brand new still after some 17 years, other than a thin film on the butterfly that wouldn't come off. There was no buildup at all.
Beyond that, the effort to repair drastically goes up if you fried something on the PCB. You're looking at a replacement unit.
The TB on these cars generally don't need cleaning. Mine was almost brand new still after some 17 years, other than a thin film on the butterfly that wouldn't come off. There was no buildup at all.
Last edited by slammer111; Oct 4, 2023 at 11:51 PM.
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E230 W210
Ok I will get a second hand unit and replace.
It's weird that the car starts I thought it was the fuel pump too.
I must have drenched the electronics in carb cleaner, or must have messed the inside motor up.
Thank you for your input
It's weird that the car starts I thought it was the fuel pump too.
I must have drenched the electronics in carb cleaner, or must have messed the inside motor up.
Thank you for your input
Last edited by Killa' Benz; Oct 4, 2023 at 11:55 PM.
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E230 W210
UPDATE @slammer111
I changed the throttle body for a used one. Cleared the codes.
I started the car and it started for about 5 seconds before detonating, throwing a cloud of smoke from the exhaust, and dying.
Now it wont start again.
I changed the throttle body for a used one. Cleared the codes.
I started the car and it started for about 5 seconds before detonating, throwing a cloud of smoke from the exhaust, and dying.
Now it wont start again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,275
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From: BC, Canada
2003 C230K Coupe Orion Blue
Oh man. 
Not sure what to say. Did you reconnect everything? Almost sounds like a sensor was left unplugged.
If all else fails, you’re probably looking at a tow to a mechanic.
I assume the PN of the “new” TB matched the original one?
Any new CEL codes?
Hoping you didn’t literally blow up the engine.
Not sure what to say. Did you reconnect everything? Almost sounds like a sensor was left unplugged.
If all else fails, you’re probably looking at a tow to a mechanic.
I assume the PN of the “new” TB matched the original one?
Any new CEL codes?
Hoping you didn’t literally blow up the engine.
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
Idiot mechanics.
Replace the ECU?
Just for sheets and giggles, disconnect the MAF and see if anything changes.
Also check for vaccum leaks.
Personally I thought perhaps
it was CPS. Crankshaft position sensor. PIA and it doesn't create codes.
Car won't start if it fails. Costs about 50 bucks, usually on the back of the engine near the flywheel.
Hard to reach.
Fuel pump is easy to know, just check the pressure.
Oriely and Autozone will loan them for free, well you gotta pay and then
return for full refund. OR you can buy one from Harbor freight for $20 bucks.
Replace the ECU?
Just for sheets and giggles, disconnect the MAF and see if anything changes.
Also check for vaccum leaks.
Personally I thought perhaps
it was CPS. Crankshaft position sensor. PIA and it doesn't create codes.
Car won't start if it fails. Costs about 50 bucks, usually on the back of the engine near the flywheel.
Hard to reach.
Fuel pump is easy to know, just check the pressure.
Oriely and Autozone will loan them for free, well you gotta pay and then
return for full refund. OR you can buy one from Harbor freight for $20 bucks.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; Nov 9, 2023 at 01:32 AM.
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E230 W210
Hey thanks for your reply. It has good fuel pressure we checked, also good compression.
Codes are P0340 and P0365. We replaced camshaft sensors to no avail.
Only thing left is CPS. Otherwise, I'm getting rid of this nightmare.
Codes are P0340 and P0365. We replaced camshaft sensors to no avail.
Only thing left is CPS. Otherwise, I'm getting rid of this nightmare.
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
LOL mine died at the drive through at Burger King, wouldn't turn over.
I was pretty sure I needed a starter has been making noises for a while,
and yeah, it finally gave up at the drive through window.
Took me a few months to get it turned around, back on the road again!
I was pretty sure I needed a starter has been making noises for a while,
and yeah, it finally gave up at the drive through window.
Took me a few months to get it turned around, back on the road again!
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E230 W210
UPDATE:
Sent ECU for repair, came back and car worked fine for about 3 weeks when the car shut off and wouldn't start again.
Left it overnight and what do you know? It started the next day.
I don't know what the car has
Sent ECU for repair, came back and car worked fine for about 3 weeks when the car shut off and wouldn't start again.
Left it overnight and what do you know? It started the next day.
I don't know what the car has
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 269
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2003 S55 AMG, 2005 C320 Coupe, 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
I'm not well versed on M271's, but I've dealt with CPS failures on the M113/M112. There seemed to be a correlation with engine heat. Once the engine got up to operating temp, the intermittent issues would arise. Engine would cool, it would start back up. That was my personal experience with a pending CPS failure.
-So you've verified good timing, good cam sprockets, no broken teeth/jumped time?
-Good compression
-Good fuel pressure
-Do these have K40 relays? Once again, not well versed in this issue but I've read about it when I was looking at a C230K Coupe with a no-start issue.
-Do these have issues with engine oil wicking up into the cam sensor harnesses? I can't recall if this was an M111 or M271 issue. Just trying to think of any other possibilities.
Also OP, it would be helpful if you updated your location. I've seen cars in different climates have different issues from hot, cold, corrosion, dry rotting wire insulation, etc and it may help with the input your receive. Have you looked for any Mercedes specific indies in your area?
-So you've verified good timing, good cam sprockets, no broken teeth/jumped time?
-Good compression
-Good fuel pressure
-Do these have K40 relays? Once again, not well versed in this issue but I've read about it when I was looking at a C230K Coupe with a no-start issue.
-Do these have issues with engine oil wicking up into the cam sensor harnesses? I can't recall if this was an M111 or M271 issue. Just trying to think of any other possibilities.
Also OP, it would be helpful if you updated your location. I've seen cars in different climates have different issues from hot, cold, corrosion, dry rotting wire insulation, etc and it may help with the input your receive. Have you looked for any Mercedes specific indies in your area?
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E230 W210
Thank you for your reply S_Holford,
I live in Palm Springs, CA where the summer can reach 120F, so I was thinking the battery succumbed perhaps?
The engine was opened by local indy and turned over, timing is fine. Good fuel pressure, good compression.
I live in Palm Springs, CA where the summer can reach 120F, so I was thinking the battery succumbed perhaps?
The engine was opened by local indy and turned over, timing is fine. Good fuel pressure, good compression.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 269
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2003 S55 AMG, 2005 C320 Coupe, 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
I feel your pain with the summer temps.....North Vegas for me. Battery life is only 3-4 years out here as you probably already know, tires don't live very long either.
