Won’t start
Last edited by Marktee; Jan 5, 2022 at 05:06 PM.




Take these comments as me just trying to point out what’s probably not wrong. Some others are critical of my comments, so take these “with a grain of salt” because I don’t have a fix.
A number of things have to be right for the ECU to tell the car it’s okay to start the engine.
I’ve had the SRS system warning on the dash of two other platforms, W163 and W211. On those that did not cause a failure to start. Those are both older, so I don’t know if they’re directly applicable.
There is a shift component on the W204 attached to the transmission. It could be damaged if the water got high enough. It is part of the security system and will cause drive away problems. However, I think it still allows the car to crank and start.
Since the car has been in water, there may be moisture in some of the many connectors. Maybe a water displacement compound like CRC226 sprayed into the major ones would help clear up some of the issues. It’s safe for electrical connectors. Just a suggestion with no guarantees.
If a fuse or a relay would be the culprit, which one would it be so I can continue with my misery other than that I need a vacation to remote Island in the middle of nowhere that no one can get to but ME.
Last edited by Marktee; Jan 6, 2022 at 08:39 PM.




I think if you don't have a good scanner now is the time to invest in one as you are gong to need it to move forward with any repairs, or reassess your options.
When the air bag was disconnected did you disconnect the battery if not did you turn the ignition key on when the air bag was disconnected?
Either way you need to wipe the code and try stating.
Was the ignition turned on or off when the battery leads shorted, if on there is a good chance of electronic damage or blown fuse. How high up was the water damage, one check you could do is while turning the key to crank check for voltage at the starter solenoid wire if you have voltage the problem is in the starter.
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I think if you don't have a good scanner now is the time to invest in one as you are gong to need it to move forward with any repairs, or reassess your options.
When the air bag was disconnected did you disconnect the battery if not did you turn the ignition key on when the air bag was disconnected?
Either way you need to wipe the code and try stating.
Was the ignition turned on or off when the battery leads shorted, if on there is a good chance of electronic damage or blown fuse. How high up was the water damage, one check you could do is while turning the key to crank check for voltage at the starter solenoid wire if you have voltage the problem is in the starter.
I have a low budget scanner and would give me an error when trying to erase the codes. Is that because a cheap scanner and which one would be a reliable but inexpensive scanner that would do the job
Isn't there a fuse or relay for the battery?
My main issue is get power to the power to the instrument cluster
Is there a video shows how to check the voltage in the solenoid
this is the only light with the key turned in the ignition. I can not check codes
and the radio
Last edited by Marktee; Jan 7, 2022 at 03:22 PM.
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Sort of sounds like the no ignition lights are a direct result of touching the battery cables together.
Have a really good look at all the fuses.
The starter solenoid check I mentioned is very basic test, it wont go now you have mentioned no ignition lights... Maybe you should not mess around and provide all the information up front in one post rather than dribs and drabs through out the post and across different threads.
I did mention reassess your options of what you are going to do with this car, at this stage you can fix it yourself, get someone to fix it for you or exit the vehicle.
My predictions it will get quite expensive and you will need to be able to search out how to diagnose and test items, not ask members who chime in to go and find videos for you.
I dont have a scanner but would not bother with cheap one.
On ebay you can buy Xentry scanner, i think that would be a good start.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...nner&_osacat=0
Last edited by NZ-Merc; Jan 7, 2022 at 05:26 PM.




