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2008 C300 won't start
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, Missouri
2008 C300
2008 C300 won't start
I have a 2008 C300 with 77,000 miles. I drove the car home from work Friday parked it in my parking garage went out this morning and it wouldn't start. The key locks and unlocks the doors the lights come on and the dash lights up. You can insert and turn the key but the car will not start. The stering wheel is locked and the drive is locked in park. I tried jumping and it did nothing I dident think the battery was bad but went and had it checked anyways. The battery checked out ok. I check the fuses that are associated with the starter and they seem to be ok. I'm not sure what to do next and not excited about having it towed to the dealership. Any information would be helpfull.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 5
From: Fort Washington, MD
2008 C300
I have a 2008 C300 with 77,000 miles. I drove the car home from work Friday parked it in my parking garage went out this morning and it wouldn't start. The key locks and unlocks the doors the lights come on and the dash lights up. You can insert and turn the key but the car will not start. The stering wheel is locked and the drive is locked in park. I tried jumping and it did nothing I dident think the battery was bad but went and had it checked anyways. The battery checked out ok. I check the fuses that are associated with the starter and they seem to be ok. I'm not sure what to do next and not excited about having it towed to the dealership. Any information would be helpfull.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604
Likes: 29
From: SA
2008 C350-Sport-AMG-Active Agility Pack(Not reliable) +Izuzu KB6 3L(It seems Reliable)+Mazda
Where was your car manufactured
Welcome to 25Million Km's of testing W204, then it drops you out of nowhere. Same symptoms as mine at 72 000Km. Waiting for a steering lock unit(EIS).
Get your ID book, car registration and original sale papers ready, and be prepared to wait at least two weeks for parts from Germany.1st they waited for a Service Key, now they wait for the EIS.
Get your ID book, car registration and original sale papers ready, and be prepared to wait at least two weeks for parts from Germany.1st they waited for a Service Key, now they wait for the EIS.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,113
Likes: 57
From: Southwest USA
Another round of ICE
When these kinds of failures occur early in a product cycle, it often comes from a change made at the supplier, or a late change to a new supplier, which did not get fully represented in the program vehicle development testing. Sometimes the change is made as a cost reduction, and the "engineering judgment" did not anticipate problems, or the supplier made the change without informing MB. I am sure there is an engineer at MB responsible for the part whose career path has slowed down and/or a supplier who's had to eat a significant part of the warranty for those which failed within 48 months.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
97 S600 coupe/gf 16 C300 Lux. Former: 08 GL450, 83 300D, 97 C230, 08 c300 luxury, 92 500SL, 93 400E
Well, don't forget, the 08s are the oldest 204s out there.....will be interesting to see if this part fails in the next couple years on later versions..
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
When these kinds of failures occur early in a product cycle, it often comes from a change made at the supplier, or a late change to a new supplier, which did not get fully represented in the program vehicle development testing. Sometimes the change is made as a cost reduction, and the "engineering judgment" did not anticipate problems, or the supplier made the change without informing MB. I am sure there is an engineer at MB responsible for the part whose career path has slowed down and/or a supplier who's had to eat a significant part of the warranty for those which failed within 48 months.
It is too bad that the owners are stuck with the big repair bills so little time after warranty.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 47
From: Orlando, Florida
E350 Sport/ML350RWD
This definitely is a reoccurring, well known issue so why is their not a Recall? I had documented cases of mine, even though it is an intermittent problem, Both dealerships I use for service have it documented numerous times in detail in my file. I also provided them with date stamped video proof. They were always unable to reproduce the problem, but provided me in writing it would be replaced at no cost if it completely fails.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
2008 C300 Sport
Hey JBailey, i kinda of had the same situation you did when i went to start my car in the morning, and this happened to me once prior to the final dead start. What i found out was my dealer told me that the 2008 C300 are recalled for a Solenoid Cam, and this was covered under that recall. I would check that out with them if you can still.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
2008 C300 Sport
Did you get a C300 again, after that happened. Im planning on getting rid of mine as soon as im not upside down on my loan, I have to admit i do like the 11 and up models as they ride nicer and feel nicer, but Benz's are too expensive; like my rusted lug nuts which are not covered under CPO and they cost $10 something per each lug, thats over $200 per set, man i miss my 8th gen Si.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
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2008 C300
Bad EIS
I have a 2008 C300 with 57,000 miles. Had the no-start issue happen earlier this week. Had it towed into the dealership and was informed I have a bad EIS. Was quoted $1,069 to fix it. I have no choice but to proceed with the repair. I have subscribed to the thread in case anyone hears of a recall and we can get a refund for those of us who have come out of pocket for this same issue. I had a 2002 C320 Wagon before this car and had no issues with it, so I am quite disappointed with this happening to this car.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
2008 C300 Sport
I have a 2008 C300 with 57,000 miles. Had the no-start issue happen earlier this week. Had it towed into the dealership and was informed I have a bad EIS. Was quoted $1,069 to fix it. I have no choice but to proceed with the repair. I have subscribed to the thread in case anyone hears of a recall and we can get a refund for those of us who have come out of pocket for this same issue. I had a 2002 C320 Wagon before this car and had no issues with it, so I am quite disappointed with this happening to this car.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
2008 C300 Sport
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
And it's the camshaft solenoid seals. Some leak and some don't so MB is going to replace all of them. And it's all M272 engines.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
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From: FRanklin, TN
2008 C350
ESL went out 7 weeks out of warranty
The car would not recognize the key, it would not start and the steering column would not unlock. Had to be towed to the dealer. They told me the ESL needs to be replaced at a cost of $1,100. I told them that I feel this is a known issue and they said they would have mbusa call me direct to discuss on Monday so we'll see how that goes. My car is a 2008 C350 with 40,000 mi on it and is 7 weeks out of warranty.
So I spoke with the MB dealer's Service Manager and he contacted MBUSA and we are each paying a third of the ESL replacement cost. My portion was around $300 and I was very happy with the resolution. They ordered the part on Monday and I was able to pick up my car the next day.
So I spoke with the MB dealer's Service Manager and he contacted MBUSA and we are each paying a third of the ESL replacement cost. My portion was around $300 and I was very happy with the resolution. They ordered the part on Monday and I was able to pick up my car the next day.
Last edited by JCLindberg; Nov 17, 2012 at 08:28 AM. Reason: added info.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 465
Likes: 16
C204
The same thing happened to mine - C220 CDI, manufactured in Germany.
Maybe there was a way to tell that the problem was coming because the buzz sound when you enter the key drastically changed (became slow and prolonged) a couple of months prior to the fail. Since it was during the winter, for some reason I thought it was the battery that could cause it but since it wasn't that bad I decided not to change it. A few months later, the steering lock unit failed...
Maybe there was a way to tell that the problem was coming because the buzz sound when you enter the key drastically changed (became slow and prolonged) a couple of months prior to the fail. Since it was during the winter, for some reason I thought it was the battery that could cause it but since it wasn't that bad I decided not to change it. A few months later, the steering lock unit failed...
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
2008 C300 Sport
Ah i see, they fixed mine under the camshaft solenoid recall, whatever they did it fixed it all and was also under my CPA warranty.
