w204 no start - key turns batt good
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
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2008 mercedes c350 (w204)
2008 c350...
I figured that the eis failure would disallow the key to turn... Is there an easy way to discern between eis failure vs ESL? I looked everywhere for a direct troubleshooting guide but failed even with Mitchell on demand or all data...
I figured that the eis failure would disallow the key to turn... Is there an easy way to discern between eis failure vs ESL? I looked everywhere for a direct troubleshooting guide but failed even with Mitchell on demand or all data...
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
Does the engine crank when you try and start it or do you not hear anything when you try and start it or maybe just a clicking sound? If it is the latter could be just the battery.
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Newbie
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2008 mercedes c350 (w204)
Like the title says... Batt good. I'll go a step further to include connections and power to all modules / fuses good
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 848
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From: Milwaukee, WI USA
2012 C300 4Matic
If you are basing the battery being good because lights turn on and the radio works that doesn't necessariily mean the battery is good enough to start the car. That's why I asked if it cranked over or if nothing happens at all when you turn the key.
What do you me by "no on/starty start"?
What do you me by "no on/starty start"?
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
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2008 mercedes c350 (w204)
If you are basing the battery being good because lights turn on and the radio works that doesn't necessariily mean the battery is good enough to start the car. That's why I asked if it cranked over or if nothing happens at all when you turn the key.
What do you me by "no on/starty start"?
What do you me by "no on/starty start"?
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Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 242
Likes: 48
From: West by god Virginia
'08 C300 4Matic Sport / '11 C63
If you don't hear a quick sounding unlock when you first turn your key it is either EIS or ESL. Hard to say which exactly but some quick tips is to try to clean the sensor part with a q-tip and alcohol for the EIS, some have had success in getting it to work again by doing that.
The working relationship is the EIS reads the key and sends a signal to the ESL to unlock the steering wheel. If the ESL doesn't get the signal from EIS then no unlock. If the ESL motor is bad then even with the signal from the EIS it won't unlock.
I'm nervous for when this happens to mine, my ESL still has a snappy quick unlocking sound so I'm hoping it will be awhile away before it hits mine as I have no idea if previous owner had it happen or not before I got it.
The key will turn no matter what, so no relationship vs key not turning. If you are really lucky though it could be just a bad key, do you have both keys and have you tried both keys?
From what I have read and gathered though, percentage wise it seems to usually be the ESL and the motor going bad. Dealer will usually replace both to be on safe side though. But as you will read from many just a ESL motor replacement and most are back in business with it working.
The working relationship is the EIS reads the key and sends a signal to the ESL to unlock the steering wheel. If the ESL doesn't get the signal from EIS then no unlock. If the ESL motor is bad then even with the signal from the EIS it won't unlock.
I'm nervous for when this happens to mine, my ESL still has a snappy quick unlocking sound so I'm hoping it will be awhile away before it hits mine as I have no idea if previous owner had it happen or not before I got it.
The key will turn no matter what, so no relationship vs key not turning. If you are really lucky though it could be just a bad key, do you have both keys and have you tried both keys?
From what I have read and gathered though, percentage wise it seems to usually be the ESL and the motor going bad. Dealer will usually replace both to be on safe side though. But as you will read from many just a ESL motor replacement and most are back in business with it working.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5
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2008 mercedes c350 (w204)
If you don't hear a quick sounding unlock when you first turn your key it is either EIS or ESL. Hard to say which exactly but some quick tips is to try to clean the sensor part with a q-tip and alcohol for the EIS, some have had success in getting it to work again by doing that.
The working relationship is the EIS reads the key and sends a signal to the ESL to unlock the steering wheel. If the ESL doesn't get the signal from EIS then no unlock. If the ESL motor is bad then even with the signal from the EIS it won't unlock.
I'm nervous for when this happens to mine, my ESL still has a snappy quick unlocking sound so I'm hoping it will be awhile away before it hits mine as I have no idea if previous owner had it happen or not before I got it.
The key will turn no matter what, so no relationship vs key not turning. If you are really lucky though it could be just a bad key, do you have both keys and have you tried both keys?
From what I have read and gathered though, percentage wise it seems to usually be the ESL and the motor going bad. Dealer will usually replace both to be on safe side though. But as you will read from many just a ESL motor replacement and most are back in business with it working.
The working relationship is the EIS reads the key and sends a signal to the ESL to unlock the steering wheel. If the ESL doesn't get the signal from EIS then no unlock. If the ESL motor is bad then even with the signal from the EIS it won't unlock.
I'm nervous for when this happens to mine, my ESL still has a snappy quick unlocking sound so I'm hoping it will be awhile away before it hits mine as I have no idea if previous owner had it happen or not before I got it.
The key will turn no matter what, so no relationship vs key not turning. If you are really lucky though it could be just a bad key, do you have both keys and have you tried both keys?
From what I have read and gathered though, percentage wise it seems to usually be the ESL and the motor going bad. Dealer will usually replace both to be on safe side though. But as you will read from many just a ESL motor replacement and most are back in business with it working.
Thats what I gathered... I could pay the dealer 2000 or I could buy the tools to diagnose and program myself for 3000... And maybe save someone else in my area the trouble.... I'm leaning toward the latter from simon-touch
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 520
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From: Regina SK
2008 C-230 4Matic Sport
Sounds like ESL failure. I paid about $1025 CAD at my local MB dealer.
I think you are getting quoted way too much or they are budgeting EIS failure in there also at that price.
I think you are getting quoted way too much or they are budgeting EIS failure in there also at that price.
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
Mercedes Sudden Death
Welcome to Sudden Death. Give a known unsolved problem a name, then it can be dealt with by manufacturer.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C220 W204
Hi,
This sounds like the issue that I've had. All working but not starting.
The gas needle is going up when you turn the key? If you don't hear any sound when you insert and remove the key then 99% is the ESL .
I found out that this ESL issue is a very common issue. If you don't want to pay 1000e for ESL module buy an esl simulator and program it with the EIS and keys ( cost ~300e ).
If ESL is not locked you can try to remove the steering column and change the ELV motor ( it is the cheapest solution if this will work ) .
This sounds like the issue that I've had. All working but not starting.
The gas needle is going up when you turn the key? If you don't hear any sound when you insert and remove the key then 99% is the ESL .
I found out that this ESL issue is a very common issue. If you don't want to pay 1000e for ESL module buy an esl simulator and program it with the EIS and keys ( cost ~300e ).
If ESL is not locked you can try to remove the steering column and change the ELV motor ( it is the cheapest solution if this will work ) .
