2008 c300 steering wheel lock and will not start
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Joined: Nov 2017
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c300 4matic
2008 c300 steering wheel lock and will not start
parked my car came back and it will not start. put key in and will turn but not start or even engage starter. radio does not turn on, steering wheel locked, shifter locked. battery is charged
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Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Newcastle Upon Tyne
W204 C220CDI 2011
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 520
Likes: 45
From: Regina SK
2008 C-230 4Matic Sport
Bummer. I am betting an EIS or ESL failure. Possibly both.
So no sound of the ESL disengaging when the key is put in?
Key turns but nothing happens? When my ESL failed I could still turn the key like you, but I could turn on the radio and my gauges lit up and door locks worked.
Unlocking the shifter is easy if you don't know how. It is in your manual but all you need to do is push on the shift boot and trim piece. Push to the left and I pushed where the shift boot meets the trim piece. Put my fingers on that edge where the leather meets the aluminum trim cover and pushed. Popped right off and there is a tab you push or pull (can't remember) and once engaged you can shift the car into neutral so it can be put on a flat deck.
Good luck.
So no sound of the ESL disengaging when the key is put in?
Key turns but nothing happens? When my ESL failed I could still turn the key like you, but I could turn on the radio and my gauges lit up and door locks worked.
Unlocking the shifter is easy if you don't know how. It is in your manual but all you need to do is push on the shift boot and trim piece. Push to the left and I pushed where the shift boot meets the trim piece. Put my fingers on that edge where the leather meets the aluminum trim cover and pushed. Popped right off and there is a tab you push or pull (can't remember) and once engaged you can shift the car into neutral so it can be put on a flat deck.
Good luck.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604
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From: SA
2008 C350-Sport-AMG-Active Agility Pack(Not reliable) +Izuzu KB6 3L(It seems Reliable)+Mazda
Sudden Death
Lets give this nonsense a proper name, so that it can be recognised and addressed properly, to no cost to the owners.
SUDDEN DEATH: The one moment the Mercedes works, you park, return and its dead for all practical puposes.
Note:This is not something I experienced on any other vehicle I ever owned.
SUDDEN DEATH: The one moment the Mercedes works, you park, return and its dead for all practical puposes.
Note:This is not something I experienced on any other vehicle I ever owned.
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
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2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
http://www.ogsmechanics.com/tutorial...-engine-start/
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Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 29
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2010 C300
C300 Electronic Steering Lock - Fixed Myself
Hi all - just joined this forum...have been a MB guy for many years. Anyway, my ESL went out on me on my 2010 C300 after 127K miles in July 2020. Wanted to let everyone know that you can fix this yourself - you really can. If I can do it, you can do it. Have a little patience and treat it like a project to conquer. And spend $10 on a new motor instead of $2,000 at the dealer. I replaced the motor on my ESL and didn't need to do an emulator. Here's a link to my video which is semi-technical and please read the description, where you'll see the links for the technical video I used. But watch mine first for some issues that no one else seems to really clearly discuss. Good luck and you can do this! Best, Al
