mabs

Can anyone help me to understand why my w204 c220 cdi sports 2008 will not start?

Background on my Car history:

Car was involved in a accident 4 months ago, insurance approved repair, engine had to be removed whilst they fixed the front leg, car was rebuilt tested and delivered to me about a month ago, car was running perfect no issues.


2 days ago I noticed an alert on the dash about pre safe left front fault...
This fault came up a few times .... never thought much about it....planned to run car in and get it check ..........but........


Yesterday I Unlocked the car from remote, mileage showed up on dash as usual.

Put key in – – I did not hear the usual vacuum sound??? Turned key and nothing happens.

When I remove the key I can hear a faint clicking sound (like a relay) it clicks 3 times pauses and click another 2 times.

Both keys are doing the same & I tried removing battery but still no change.

Could it be the key module or immobilizer or the pre safe warning issue????? Could it be the pre safe is linked to the immobilizer therefore now disabled.....

The repair garage is running me round in circles………….

Waiting for a engineer from a reputable company to come and do an initial check for me… on monday

Please help me to understand what’s gone wrong - Any suggestions to resolve would be appreciated

Carsy

I would check that the battery is not at fault first by having it load tested .

You can check voltage on your instrument panel by going into engineering mode.

Also, if headlights give full illumination is a good indication . Battery terminals tight ?. Front earthing points tight ?

Starter motor maybe at fault . Check starter relays in front Sam are pushed firmly in place.Give starter a light sharp crack with a little bar to possibly shake sticky solenoid.

Also would check if there are any codes presented on an OBD 2 Scanner.

Hope others may help too.

What part of the world are you from ?

Good luck & let us know how you go.

mabs

thanks i will check these out. i am from UK manchester.

Carsy

My father was born at Lyme Park near Macclesfield.

mabs

Macclesfield is a nice area.

I've been doing a bit of research and found that the pre safe mechanism has 3 stages the last disables the engine and fuel supply. C

mabs

Macclesfield is a nice area.

No luck yet - tried all that you sugested - still Not starting .....I've been doing a bit of research and found that the pre safe mechanism has 3 stages - last stage disables the engine and fuel supply. Still confused on this....

Carsy

You may be correct in investigating the Pre Safe issue.

The system may need to visit the dealer & be connected to the MB Star computer to diagnose the problem.

This is all I could find on the system :-

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Nov08/1...AFE_Brake.html

The accident repairs may have overlooked all the inputs to the presafe system eg steering angle, wheel speed ect.

I think a MB specialist is required.The Star system may pin point it immediately.

Good luck on Monday.

Any other input from this forum . Don't let the diesel engine put you off. The rest of the car is the same !!

Carsy

I have attached the Pre safe Block Diagram showing all the imputs to the system.

I would check the front Sam control unit with fuse for a start !

Carsy

Have attached a diagram of the location of the Pre Safe Components.

Good luck.

mabs

Thanks for the information, We are getting diagnostic test done today

mabs

AMG Ceshire have run the merc diagnostic. Turns out its the STEERING LOCK MODULE which is faulty. They have ordered the part and will fit in 5 days.

Carsy

Diagnosing modern cars is complicated !! Thanks for the update.

tempsey

mabs, did you pay for it or was it covered by the accident or warranty?

mabs

It was out of warranty and set me back £400 to fix

mabs

It was out of warranty and set me back £400 to fix
Quote

RLE

Why wasn't this accident damage?

mabs

The car was running for about 6 weeks after it was repaired so the garage say its not linked to accident.

This is a common part to fail on 2008 model c220 cdi ...

Carsy

Bloody disgrace. Is there any way this system can be bypassed.?

RLE

Sure. Big knife switch fastened to the dash top with lag screws and a couple of 0 gauge wires going someplace.

Carsy

Thanks, sounds the answer !,
I have done it before on German auto electrics. Taken out all the crappy solenoids & switches & replaced them with heavy copper wire & Euclid truck switches. ie

Toggle switch for ignition.
Push button switch for glow plugs.
Push button for starter .
Kill isolator switch in ash tray.
Worked for years without trouble!!

I have better start to collect the gear !.

tempsey

980euro for me to fix it.. bye bye MB, had to recycle it