C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

Won’t start

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Old Jan 5, 2022 | 03:33 PM
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From: DFW USA
2012 C250 Turbo M271 EVO, 08 X3, 08 328i
Won’t start

I removed the front airbag to repair the trim around it and when I installed it again the car wouldn’t crank Airbag massages on dash. Would airbag being disconnected cause a no crank. Is the park light suppose to illuminate





Last edited by Marktee; Jan 5, 2022 at 05:06 PM.
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Old Jan 6, 2022 | 10:08 AM
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Is this the same car with the flood damage from 01/01/2022?
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Old Jan 6, 2022 | 11:47 AM
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2012 C250 Turbo M271 EVO, 08 X3, 08 328i
Originally Posted by Odd Piggy
Is this the same car with the flood damage from 01/01/2022?
yes. I was Making baby steps to fix it but when I removed the airbag and put it back in, the car would not start I couldn’t figure it out
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Old Jan 6, 2022 | 12:19 PM
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What codes do you have?
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Old Jan 6, 2022 | 12:25 PM
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2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Originally Posted by Marktee
yes. I was Making baby steps to fix it but when I removed the airbag and put it back in, the car would not start I couldn’t figure it out
It seems like you’re trying to resurrect this car.
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.
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Old Jan 6, 2022 | 03:28 PM
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From: DFW USA
2012 C250 Turbo M271 EVO, 08 X3, 08 328i
Thank you guys for your input. My frustration begins to appear, said my wife. The car battery has 12 volts only and I tried to boost it. I attached both the negative and positive clips of the jumper cable to the battery while holding the other ends and moving them toward the other car when the negative and positive touched briefly. I attached the clips to the other battery and tried to turn the key to start the car but there was no lights in instrument cluster. I do not know whether a fuse was blown or the whole SAM was blown.
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.
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Old Jan 6, 2022 | 10:18 PM
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W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
Hi,
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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Old Jan 7, 2022 | 10:25 AM
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From: DFW USA
2012 C250 Turbo M271 EVO, 08 X3, 08 328i
Originally Posted by NZ-Merc
Hi,
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 did disconnect the battery before removing the airbag and the key was out of the ignition. The ignition was off during the short. I am not sure about the water level but the floor of the passenger seat was moist and placed in the trunk when I bought it. The fuse boxes seems to evade the water. .
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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Old Jan 7, 2022 | 05:17 PM
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W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
Hi,
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.
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