Ignition turns on, but not engine
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 36
From: Central Ohio
2017 C43, 1966 230SL, 2006 Jeep Rubicon
Ignition turns on, but not engine
2017 C43. A few times in the last month, when getting in the car, putting my foot on the brake, and pressing Start, the ignition will come on and the needles sweep the dials, but the engine doesn't start. This usually happens in the garage at home. Yesterday at a shopping center, I had to try 6 or 8 times to start the engine before it worked. No error lights or messages. No problems with (un)locking the car keyless. I searched the forums and the threads I found had no resolution. Dealers unable to duplicate problem, no codes in Xentry, etc. Any ideas as to the problem? Suggestions on duplicating the problem? I'll post this in the general w205, c205 forums as well. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 36
From: Central Ohio
2017 C43, 1966 230SL, 2006 Jeep Rubicon
Over in the w205 sedan forum, a member said, "Same happned to me. Dealer replace the Spark Plug coil and the Camshaft sensor behind the engine. Work without errors now."
I believe for auto stop/start feature, the engine stops at a specific point where a cylinder is in the right position to fire and (help?) start the engine. If the same holds true for stopping the engine with the dash button, then position sensors might make sense. I have read posts about not being able to start the car on the street after auto stop/start had stopped it. I don't have that problem, yet! Just starting cold, and seldom at that. I'm going to start a log to track the problem and see if I can find any consistent conditions.
I believe for auto stop/start feature, the engine stops at a specific point where a cylinder is in the right position to fire and (help?) start the engine. If the same holds true for stopping the engine with the dash button, then position sensors might make sense. I have read posts about not being able to start the car on the street after auto stop/start had stopped it. I don't have that problem, yet! Just starting cold, and seldom at that. I'm going to start a log to track the problem and see if I can find any consistent conditions.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2017 C43 AMG
I've had the same problems a few times on my 2017 C43. It hasn't happened in the summer, but it happened a number of times in the winter when it was incredibly cold out. I found taking off the start/stop button and inserting the key fob to start it the old fashioned way worked to correct it every time. I'd love to get it resolved but it happens so infrequently and randomly that it's not worth the time to take it to the dealer/shop.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 36
From: Central Ohio
2017 C43, 1966 230SL, 2006 Jeep Rubicon
I've had the same problems a few times on my 2017 C43. It hasn't happened in the summer, but it happened a number of times in the winter when it was incredibly cold out. I found taking off the start/stop button and inserting the key fob to start it the old fashioned way worked to correct it every time. I'd love to get it resolved but it happens so infrequently and randomly that it's not worth the time to take it to the dealer/shop.
Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 86
Likes: 23
016 c450 AMG
I've had the same problems a few times on my 2017 C43. It hasn't happened in the summer, but it happened a number of times in the winter when it was incredibly cold out. I found taking off the start/stop button and inserting the key fob to start it the old fashioned way worked to correct it every time. I'd love to get it resolved but it happens so infrequently and randomly that it's not worth the time to take it to the dealer/shop.
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Super Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 510
Likes: 64
From: Dallas Texas USA
2023 AMG EQE 53
Check the brake light switch, if the computer does not see the brake pedal as being depressed it will not let the starter motor operate. Try really pressing down on the brake pedal and/or having someone watch the brake lights. Replacing or readjusting the switch is easy. The eal issue is a slight loss of vacuum to the brake booster that results in having to press the pedal harder. I bet it happens when the car sits longer.
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Newbie
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2017 C43 AMG
That's a good idea. But oddly enough the only time I've ever experienced that problem was when it was incredibly cold (single digit temps) and after I stopped the car after starting it in the morning (i.e. stopping to get gas at the gas station about 2 miles from my house).
