DRBC43AMG

Don't put your finger in there is the engine is running

mickey13

hehe, i actually touched the exhaust pipe when i was down there with no flashlight... ouch lol no worries though, my skin has grown back since then

cm60k

ahhh, that's scary maaan..,,

are you a VAMPIRE..

-;ZAYED;-

Sulaco

mine seems to have gotten a little better the last couple days since I sprayed permatex on it. no more 15 minute waits trying 50+ times to start it, now it's more like 1 minute and 20 tries

I think I might actually need a new starter, because it's sounded like it's struggling to turn over since I put the 55 motor in and used my 43 starter. it has over 300k miles on it now.

DRBC43AMG

Don't know if you can get your starter reconditioned instead of buying a new one.
It could be cheaper.

cm60k

If armature still good to rotate,,

then need to replace the solenoid only.

-;ZAYED;-

KJI3jflarryfe93

do you always remove and then re-insert key trying to start your car 50+ times?
you will eventually wear out the key and ignition

DRBC43AMG

No need to remove key each time. Just turn off fully, then switch on and crank the engine.
It is also a good idea, if you have spare key fobs, to rotate them with use in the vehicle from time to time. This reinitiates the electronic codes and mumble jumble talk with the ECU

KJI3jflarryfe93

if you get a miss attempting to start, it only clicks turning over the key?
key need to be removed then re-inserted for a new start.

those new chrome keys are not 100% compatible with your old ignition barrel, a miss attempting to start the car will happen with a stored code in ecu.
if you have a new ignition using the new chrome key there will be no start hiccups coz both parts are compatible.
if you still have the original ignition there will be start hiccups using chrome key but your original factory key will work perfect everytime with your original ignition.

cm60k

Fully Agreeeeeeee..

-;ZAYED;-

mickey13

Swap the CPS. I think you should try to eliminate each issue.

I use the chrome key and it has started every time since the lube job.

KJI3jflarryfe93

have you changed your ignition EIS?
how many times did you have starting hiccups with chrome key since you bought it?
a few times or never had any start issues?

I've red on other forums people had issues with chrome key

mickey13

I have not changed the eis. The chrome key has been very good to me. I think maybe my starting problems were always related to either CPS and/or grease. I have CPS issue in the past where I replaced CPS with a used spare I had and solved problem. This is the second problem I have, this time I buy new CPS which did not solve but grease did solve. Now I have 2 used spare CPS that are probably ok.

So because of the previous CPS and the grease issue, I can't say for sure that chrome key has not worked. What I can say is that over the last 4 or 5 days since I greased, I have used the chrome key 15 to 20 times and it has worked every time.

KJI3jflarryfe93

did you check error codes to determine what the culprit was?
did you see if you have code P1570 - FBS start release not granted
P1570 is linked to EIS and chrome key.

coz you had multiple issues with your car, you can't be sure if it was bad CPS, dry lube on fly wheel or the chrome key busting your chops?
best thing to do is to erase the codes and go from there.

mickey13

Yeah I have Star. No codes related to ignition.

KJI3jflarryfe93

you got lucky then

mickey13

they call me mickey "lucky" 5000. thats my mafia name, shh dont tell anyone

KJI3jflarryfe93

do you have associates like Richie Madano who could tear him a new a$$hole?
we need a Cadillac with a big boot wrapped in plastic and shovels

RPB

The updated key was driving me crazy on my ‘99 E55. I never have issues w/ it on a cold startup, in my experience it does not sync properly after the 3rd or 4th crank which causes my car to start and stop immediately.

This is a known issue w/ the EIS interaction on an ‘99 (early build) or prior yr MB when upgrading to the new chrome key. I’m not sure if the original keys are still available, so keep the factory spare on hand if possible!

DRBC43AMG

No chrome key in my collection of three keys. Why three keys? Well, when I removed the rear seat, I found some coins, sweet wrapping papers and a key! Probably the previous owner thought he lost the key and got another one from MB. I just changed the battery and it has been working fine since

One of the three keys has seen some heavy use but I keep it as a spare

KJI3jflarryfe93

did you end up buying a new EIS for your E55?
original 1999 style keys are NLA, you can only get the chrome design keys.
I don't like the new chrome key, key dosn't cope with my car.

I don't have the above issues you have experianced with your car, my only issues are with random start hiccups!!
sometimes car will start perfect on the first attempt, other days it will fail the first attempt and start perfect on the 2nd attempt.
other days chrome key will start perfect 3 - 4 times from the very 1st start up to 4 times, doing errands at different places moving car from A to B ------> without problems, then starting the car driving to next location, chrome key will click and miss on take off.

this means chrome key worked great for 3 - 4 times driving the car between doing errands and on the 5th time after I was finished with my errand , my key clicked and missed on take off!
these start hiccups are random issues with the new chrome key but happens everytime I use it.

my EIS is not worn coz I barely drive my car which is a low mileage being 18 years old
dealership suspected the very first time my EIS was worn but they were wrong.
then dealership contacted MB HQ getting a reply that the old EIS is not 100% compatible with new chrome keys and I had to live with start hiccups until I replace my EIS.
when my EIS is not worn I don't want to waste money for nothing.

installing a new version EIS and chrome key they are both 100% compatible.
I have to wait for ages to wear out my old EIS

I believe but I could be wrong that manufacturer of those keys made a design flaw not thinking that MB owners of early MY1998 - 2000 cars still might use the old version EIS when manufacturing the new chrome keys, new chrome keys weren't perfectly compatible with old EIS.
not everyone had their EIS replaced due to wear issues vs mileage on their car.
high mileage cars are frequently used more often, everytime inserting the key to ignition will eventually wear out EIS

mickey13

what would you say early build 99 was. my car is stamped 09/98 and it seems like no eis problem. have probably given it 40 or so starts since the grease job and chrome key has not failed yet.

cm60k

I don't think your issue related to chrome key, cause the car already cranking, isn't..!?!

but in generally;-

chrome key won't get bad, unless if ECU not get infrared signal accurately from EIS,

this will interrupted the authorization to fire up, every time you try to starting the car,

MB always replace the key only, but i don't think it's the right way to replace the key only on old models,

EIS should to be replaced with key together,,

if i'm not mistaken, MB from 95 to 02;-

*New key without EIS = ECU interrupted

*New key with EIS = ECU not interrupted

-;ZAYED;-

ecmexchange

You still having those starting issues?

mickey13

no. looks like i got "lucky" as kowaski "5000" put it. finally got lucky on something in my car nah but i love her, the only issues im dealing with a a small oil leak, abs/esp out, and some kind of electrical gremlin with the sunroof that needs to be reprogrammed every now and then. oh also have a bit of a shifting issue, but i think i just need a trans service.

maybe i'll retire her as the daily driver and bump around in something else, we'll see