2011 C300 - One Click, Won't Start
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C300
2011 C300 - One Click, Won't Start
Long time lurker, first-time poster. I've searched quite a bit through the forum to see if someone had this problem and/or found a solution.
My current issue is this: car won't start. There is enough battery to turn the lights on, radio, etc., but when I crank, I only get one click and that's it. Not multiple clicks. This is now the fourth time this has happened. What I've done the previous three times is jump start the car and then it works for a while. Say, the last time I did it, the car worked for two weeks with no problems. Then the issue crops up again.
I've checked fuses and everything seems fine. I've read that if the battery is low, it will still turn on the lights but won't send enough power to the starter to kick in. Maybe that's why I'm receiving one click?
I've crossed starter off the list because after I jump start the car, for a period of time it starts up just fine. The battery is about three years old.
I know there are a million issues it could be from a relay to ignition switch to cables, but what do the experts here say? Any best guesses/tips would be greatly appreciated.
My current issue is this: car won't start. There is enough battery to turn the lights on, radio, etc., but when I crank, I only get one click and that's it. Not multiple clicks. This is now the fourth time this has happened. What I've done the previous three times is jump start the car and then it works for a while. Say, the last time I did it, the car worked for two weeks with no problems. Then the issue crops up again.
I've checked fuses and everything seems fine. I've read that if the battery is low, it will still turn on the lights but won't send enough power to the starter to kick in. Maybe that's why I'm receiving one click?
I've crossed starter off the list because after I jump start the car, for a period of time it starts up just fine. The battery is about three years old.
I know there are a million issues it could be from a relay to ignition switch to cables, but what do the experts here say? Any best guesses/tips would be greatly appreciated.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: SA
2008 C350-Sport-AMG-Active Agility Pack(Not reliable) +Izuzu KB6 3L(It seems Reliable)+Mazda
My 2008 C350 did a similar thing recently, a click when key is turned(relay), no starter engage. The dash came on, the lights came on but went dim till its relay disconnects, the dash stay on. It seems the relays prevent the battery from discharging completely. I think before I switched on the voltage was at 12V, after above it went down to say 11V/10.5V cant remember.
I had the battery replaced, alternator charged and all was ok.
If your lights stay on and does not go dim. maybe something else, not sure if your newer model requires a higher voltage as min for start from the battery-?.
I had the battery replaced, alternator charged and all was ok.
If your lights stay on and does not go dim. maybe something else, not sure if your newer model requires a higher voltage as min for start from the battery-?.
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Joined: Aug 2017
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C300
Technically, it could be the battery AND something else, but at least I can tell that the battery is the problem now.
Thanks for the help!
