Jun 15, 2015, 02:47 PM
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2008 C300 won't start
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
All I'm pointing out is we have saved people a lot of money by only replacing as necessary.
Dealers are too lazy to diagnose so they replace both ESL & EIS.
Dealers are too lazy to diagnose so they replace both ESL & EIS.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2008 mercedes benz c300
Sorry the "won't start" happened to you too. For the record, how many miles do you have on the car? Also note that an ESL failure mimics and EIS failure and vice-versa. If you YouTube either you will get a good idea of what's involved in the 55repair -- taking the steering wheel and half the dash apart.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
2008 mercedes benz c300
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2008 C300
Can someone tell me what the transmission issue is? I already had the ESL / EIS issue and have paid my "dues" at the dealership to have it fixed, but all of this transmission talk is scaring me. My car was paid off on 6/15/14 and I was looking forward to not having a car payment or anything to worry about for a while. It only has about 65K on it so I thought I had a few years left on this car.
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
2008 Mercedes Benz C300 4matic Sport
Can someone tell me what the transmission issue is? I already had the ESL / EIS issue and have paid my "dues" at the dealership to have it fixed, but all of this transmission talk is scaring me. My car was paid off on 6/15/14 and I was looking forward to not having a car payment or anything to worry about for a while. It only has about 65K on it so I thought I had a few years left on this car.
There are a couple of threads on the 4Matic transmission failure. As far as I can tell, it's not nearly as common as the EIS/ESL failure so far. It starts with a whine in the transfer case and you wind up needing a new transmission and transfer case for $8k.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2008 C300
So if I only have the rear wheel drive model (no 4Matic), I shouldn't worry?
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2008 c300
so annoyed. this happend to my 08 C300 two days ago.. within a hr and a half time span!! 6:30am the car turned on perfectly fine and by 8am DEAD. from what ive read even a couple years later after eis repair, it goes bad again?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2009 C350
Purchased my used 2009 C350 less than a month ago with 33,366 miles on it. I came out to my car last week and it wouldn't start, wouldn't shift out of park, radio worked, but no moving parts worked, e.g. nav screen, windows, CD to eject discs, etc. Getting it towed was a nightmare, still waiting on part to come in to dealer. Fortunately, I purchased the extended warranty, so it is covered. Yes, it's the ESL.
My questions:
1) How long (time/miles) is the replacement ESL warranty good for?
2) How likely is this to happen again once the ESL is replaced?
3) Is it likely my passenger seat and horn will also fail? Is this noticeable at time of repair, or does it happen later?
My questions:
1) How long (time/miles) is the replacement ESL warranty good for?
2) How likely is this to happen again once the ESL is replaced?
3) Is it likely my passenger seat and horn will also fail? Is this noticeable at time of repair, or does it happen later?
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
2008 C300 Sport 6M
Add another one to the list.
Our 2008 C300 has 51k miles on it and had to have the ESL replaced last week. I knew what it was from reading the threads on this forum.
$1150 and a week at the dealer and we got our car back.
Our 2008 C300 has 51k miles on it and had to have the ESL replaced last week. I knew what it was from reading the threads on this forum.
$1150 and a week at the dealer and we got our car back.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 396
Likes: 2
2010 C300
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2009 C300 4matic
I'm proud to announce that I have finally joined the ESL/EIS club.
Tried going to my godson's birthday but car wouldn't start. THANK GOD i'm in my garage and not in the middle of nowhere. I do not want any more problems than this will already give me.
I'm assuming the price point is around $1300 for repairs. hmm. Which credit card should I max out this time?
So I'll be getting in touch with my dealer Monday morning to schedule a fix. Hopefully they'll have a loaner car for me!
Tried going to my godson's birthday but car wouldn't start. THANK GOD i'm in my garage and not in the middle of nowhere. I do not want any more problems than this will already give me.
I'm assuming the price point is around $1300 for repairs. hmm. Which credit card should I max out this time?
So I'll be getting in touch with my dealer Monday morning to schedule a fix. Hopefully they'll have a loaner car for me!
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
2008 Mercedes Benz C300 4matic Sport
Bummer. Is the steering wheel locked? If it's the ESL you might get lucky trying several times and shaking the steering wheel. If it does start, go right to the dealer or a good Indy shop and spare yourself the ordeal of towing it there.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2009 C300 4matic
I just hit 80k last week. I don't hear a clicking noise when I insert the key. Its pretty much dead. I was able to take off the boot on the shifter, pop it in neutral and push it into the garage. Now I'm waiting for a friend that works for MB to get back to me. Hopefully I'll get some sort of deal with him. I guess I'll go and try fighting with MBUSA. That annoying problem did make me miss my godsons birthday which is a total bummer. I never have anything mess with me and my family.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
C300 Luxury
DIY fix, try it!
Hi there,
Here comes my post the other days:
https://mbworld.org/forums/6090083-post1.html
Try this DIY fix, it worked for me.
Good luck,
royruan
Here comes my post the other days:
https://mbworld.org/forums/6090083-post1.html
Try this DIY fix, it worked for me.
Good luck,
royruan
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 705
Likes: 55
From: LA LA Land
'08 C300 MM Pano
Hi there,
Here comes my post the other days:
https://mbworld.org/forums/6090083-post1.html
Try this DIY fix, it worked for me.
Good luck,
royruan
Here comes my post the other days:
https://mbworld.org/forums/6090083-post1.html
Try this DIY fix, it worked for me.
Good luck,
royruan
Typically, when inserting the key fob, one can hear movement behind the dash/steering column as the EIS reads the signal from the key, and transmits its own signal to the ESL to unlock. When either one fails, you'll hear nothing but silence.
And one more thing....
And lastly....
While this brings back memories of grabbing a hammer and banging on a car's starter to get it to turn, in these cases you might be killing a few skin cells on your hand from banging but that's about the only after effect...
Last edited by IGB; Jul 6, 2014 at 07:55 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I understand you're angry about your recent repair bill, but come off it. All cars have the potential to have problems. My dad's IS350 water pump grenaded at 69000 miles. It was a fluke. A/C problems on the 204 seem fairly rare, but it happens.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Lexus has experienced plenty of trouble with the V6 Quadcam engines. As Toyota products have become more complex they have had more than their fair share of crap.
The old days of an antique basic 21R engine, 5 speed manual tranny & a cart axle at the rear with no electronics & hard wiring are gone.
Only their 3rd world vehicles that continue this practice have enviable reliability.
The old days of an antique basic 21R engine, 5 speed manual tranny & a cart axle at the rear with no electronics & hard wiring are gone.
Only their 3rd world vehicles that continue this practice have enviable reliability.
