Over the past few weeks I've noticed that my car doesn't always start on the first turn of the key. Even if I make a solid connection with position three and retry several times following, it won't let me start it.

In order to be able to start the car when this does occur, I have to take the key out and start all over again.

Has anyone had any issues similar to this and if so, what the remedy was?

I know that it is not a battery issue, as the battery in the key fob isn't needed to start the car...any ideas what this might be a result of?

Am scared to go through an electrical nightmare.

Thanks,

Chris

 

I have noticed this problem... even had to turn the key and hold like a normal key to start a few times... concerned but more concerned about the 7 speed transmission... seems more complicated than need be...

 

yea it's happened to me once or twice...

i assumed i put the key in and turned it too fast... but i don't really know... hasn't been too big of an issue as yet. :\

 

happy but sad to hear that more people are having the same problem within less than a minute of posting...

i hate to say it, but recently, i have had about a 66% running average of it happening when I get in...

really annoying, because the car clearly recognizes the key fob.

 

EIS playing up - It certainly semi recognises the key or it would not turn. Nevertheless - make sure the key IR window is clean - both key & socket.

 

Did you trying switching to the second key?

 

trust me - it's clean...the car is barely a month old...

havent tried the second key yet, but the 1 i'm using should be working.

 

Well, your car is under warranty. Try the second key for a week, and if it starts consistently, you'll have to return to the dealer for a new key. If the second key works intermittently also, then you can report your results to the dealer and they can take it from there.

 

I like your thinking...

 

What about the battery in the key? Try a fresh one.

 

no, the key battery should have nothing to do with starting the car:

http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...html#d13e40605

 

this man is right on the money on both accounts, its either that key or something with ur car.

 

Replying to an earlier statement. 204's are the first cars to get a new style ignition switch. Traditionally / earlier cars the ignition will not turn if the wrong key is in the vehicle. 204's no longer have that locking mechanism, so even if you put in the wrong key it will still turn in the ignition. I believe if you use the wrong key it will say unauthorized key on the gauge cluster, which isn't the case with what others are experiencing here. Just throwing it out there for information.

 

I didn't have this issue with my C300. However, I have a 2008 Grand Cherokee, which has the same type of electronic key as MB do (the great minds at Chrysler incorporated this on 2008 and newer Chrysler vehicles). I have the same issue with it. When it does happen, it takes like 3 turns to get it to start up. It's been to the dealership 4 times already, they replaced all the control modules associated with it, still doing it. As a matter of fact, Chrysler's engineering dept worked with the service tech on the 4th visit when they thought they fixed it the last time. AFter that, I met with a regional rep, he said that other vehicles do this and it's normal. Additionally, I've had a couple other issues and had my attorney send a lemon law complaint to Chrysler and will see where that gets me. Keep me posted on whether MB is able to fix this or not. Sounds like Chrysler is aware of the problem but has no clue on how to fix it.

 

I had the same problem.
only i just needed to turn the key all the way back & then try again
(ie no need to take key out)

they fixed it & said it had something to do with the anti theft system ("start blocking" system)

however i still hav the problem sometimes, when i turn of the engine but leave the key in
and then try to start again..

 

i have experience the same problem twice in the last week. Never had the problem prior and have had the car for 10 months . . .

 

Try turning the key all the way to the right and then release the pressure on your key and see if it "kicks off". My car seems to start immediately after I release the key. I just wait until I hear the engine crank over and then let go of the key. Starts every time. Worth a quick try.

 

trust me, I know how it's supposed to work...this isn't an issue of determining whether or not something is off, it has already been determined that something isn't working properly.

The question is what, and if someone has had any successful resolution to the problem.

Thank you for advising me on how to turn my key though!

FYI: Touching the key to position 3 is enough, it is not necessary to hold it there until the engine turns-over.

 

I believe is the ignition switch, take it to MB dealer for warranty

 

+1

if you don't get any indication that the engine is cranking then it's the problem with the ignition switch. this was fairly common with the W203 and other MBs since they started using these infared keys.

 

I had a similar problem a few years ago, changed my fob batteries, used my second fob, all to no avail. Shortly thereafter my car battery died. After it was replaced, the problem was solved. I'm not sure there was a connection, but you might want to test your battery.
Good luck!

 

Starting to happen more & more.
i have a feeling it's the (warmer) temp that makes it worse.
garage tried to fix it twice no, and they don't really know what causes it...

 

Mercedes is aware of this problem. It's a problem with the front SAM that requires redesign

 

Exactly what happened to me once. Had to re-insert the key and re-do it in slow(er) motion. Almost like it takes a second or two for the key to send proper codes to unlock the entire vehicle or something.

 

sam........?????