Hello, I am driving 2001 c200 cdi and i am facing this issue. Fuel is not the problem. Sometimes it cranks only but most of the time its like this
Link to the video on google drive

I’m by no mean an expert but am impressed you didn’t use any sentence enhancing words during that process. Thanks for including the visual. It says it all.

If it were a gasser I’d say crank position sensor. Since it’s common rail diesel injection that also comes back to fuel pump. Able to pull any codes off the beasty.

1. Read codes
2. Follow the trail
3. No codes? As de pug say, CPS OR
Fuel pressure ie pump. But you say fuel is not an issue?
How and why?

Fuel pump would be my guess. There is no CEL when it fails.

do you have access to a scan tool?
I would check the mpa of the pump from the suction control valve solenoid.
you should see 30 to 35mpa at idle or cranking general speaking

if you are getting a reading of 25mpa the car may start
if it is less than 25mpa it properly won't start
since it is still reading a value of example 20mpa it won't throw a code it just thinks there not enough fuel pressure to start the car and keep it running

also a scv has only 2 bolt and cost is only a small amount you will properly have to goto to a diesel specialist to get the part cause mb will only sell the pump complete

you may have noticed more inconsistency/or rougher idle for a few months or it cranking longer to start

I managed to get it started, when i start it it works normally. taking it to mechanic

Leave a couple of sandwiches and bitters in the boot after the car is dropped off. Call from home and tell the tech to enjoy it since you forgot it

it was CPS, part no. a003 153 97 28

Win! I see there are some knock off brands that are made of 100% plastic too.

My local guy back in Cali, I 1st stopped by at the end of fhe day with a 6 pack of beer,
but later came by with bottles of good tequila. I also replaced the CMOS battery in his DELL
SDS PC. Never seen a battery so small so expensive at Batteries Plus.
But he did the coding for my Bix, gratis.
I didn't ask for anything, just "hey, how's things? Thirsty?" LOL.
So then when I did need something...this guy know for being gruff, and
a bit of a PIA was just a real sweetheart. LOL. I loved living in Scotts Valley. Really nice town.
Just 20 miles over the hill from Silly Con valley.
Just too damn expensive.

Not easy to get at, but you coulda saved yourself a bunch just replacing it yourself.
Knock on wood, mine has never failed, but over the years in this forum, I
have seen this many times. No codes, everything else looks great.
Why they don't have the signal from this tied into the diagnostic system is beyond me.
I keep a spare in the glove box, but so far not needed it. And an extra screw.

Hahaha, that’s why we keep our cars for 100k + clicks. You know the mechanicals like a 6th sense and have at least one parts stash going on.

I saw a red 230 coupe pull out of a neighborhood near mine last month. It’s been almost 2 years since I’ve seen one anywhere down here.