car starting issues
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
car starting issues
i've had this problem for a while, and i wanted to know if it's an isolated thing. it happens occasionally, i haven't really seen a pattern.
i get in the car, stick the key in, turn it all the way to the right to start the car, and it does nothing. everything turns on like normal as if it's in the ON position, since that's what it reverts back to after you make an attempt to start the car, except the engine. from there, i try turning to the right again, and it does nothing. the only way to start the car is to go all the way to the left, and start over. then it starts up just fine. i don't have to pull the key out.
i get in the car, stick the key in, turn it all the way to the right to start the car, and it does nothing. everything turns on like normal as if it's in the ON position, since that's what it reverts back to after you make an attempt to start the car, except the engine. from there, i try turning to the right again, and it does nothing. the only way to start the car is to go all the way to the left, and start over. then it starts up just fine. i don't have to pull the key out.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
'09 C63 AMG, '10 ML350 4Matic
I've never had to turn all the way back to the left...twice I had it when I turned to ignition, nothing happened, I let off the key to go back to on, and it then started...one time led to a CEL and "limp mode". Dealership updated ECU profile and it was fine...but noted a misfire. Interesting, but sounds in your case like something between the key and ignition (perhaps isn't reading the key when put in).
I can take my wifes ML350 key and turn everything in the car on, but it says "Wrong key inserted" or something like that on the info screen...does yours say anything like that?
I can take my wifes ML350 key and turn everything in the car on, but it says "Wrong key inserted" or something like that on the info screen...does yours say anything like that?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
hopefully the dealer can figure something out
yes, but this happened before the mods as well.
nope, that doesn't work for me, i have to turn it back to the left... if i leave it in the on, i could turn right all day and it won't start. i haven't tried going back one notch left from ON though.
and i definitely don't want to know that it's an ecu problem that they will have to update which will make my tune go bye bye. but it's been there since i've owned the car. just happens occasionally so i just didn't worry much about it... but it's getting annoying.
and mine gives me no messages of error.
yes, but this happened before the mods as well.
I've never had to turn all the way back to the left...twice I had it when I turned to ignition, nothing happened, I let off the key to go back to on, and it then started...one time led to a CEL and "limp mode". Dealership updated ECU profile and it was fine...but noted a misfire. Interesting, but sounds in your case like something between the key and ignition (perhaps isn't reading the key when put in).
I can take my wifes ML350 key and turn everything in the car on, but it says "Wrong key inserted" or something like that on the info screen...does yours say anything like that?
I can take my wifes ML350 key and turn everything in the car on, but it says "Wrong key inserted" or something like that on the info screen...does yours say anything like that?
and i definitely don't want to know that it's an ecu problem that they will have to update which will make my tune go bye bye. but it's been there since i've owned the car. just happens occasionally so i just didn't worry much about it... but it's getting annoying.
and mine gives me no messages of error.
Last edited by bluejae; Mar 30, 2010 at 03:38 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
2011 GLK350, 2010 ML350, 2008 C63 AMG
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
From: Hawaii
'09 C63 AMG, '10 ML350 4Matic
I still say its a key issue...I've turned off our ML before and open/closed the doors with the key out, and stuff stays on...I have to go back in and put the key into the on position and then back off again.
This is the same problem in reverse...just sounds like the ignition isn't reading the key properly.
This is the same problem in reverse...just sounds like the ignition isn't reading the key properly.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 626
Likes: 19
From: Austin, TX
14 GL550; 14 E63s
No mods for me.
I agree its a key issue. Our keys are electronically sending a signal to the car to start. The act of turning the key really doesn't start the car unlike old cars where you physically had to hold the key in the starter position for the car to start. With ours, all you have to do is turn the key to the right and let go. It will still start. This is also how keyless go works. Why we don't have it (2009) is beyond me.
I agree its a key issue. Our keys are electronically sending a signal to the car to start. The act of turning the key really doesn't start the car unlike old cars where you physically had to hold the key in the starter position for the car to start. With ours, all you have to do is turn the key to the right and let go. It will still start. This is also how keyless go works. Why we don't have it (2009) is beyond me.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong/Charlotte
2010 C63
It is not necessarily a key issue. It can be a starter motor issue or any of a number of other things (brake interlock, transmission interlock, etc. etc.). Before engaging the starter, the computer checks dozens of parameters including resistance to/from starter motor. If anything is out of whack, it will refuse to start.
My wife had an intermittent issue like this on her W203 for over a year before they finally tracked it down to a faulty starter motor wiring harness. This is after they replaced about $3,000 worth of components over 4 trips to the dealer (the keys were the first thing replaced).
My wife had an intermittent issue like this on her W203 for over a year before they finally tracked it down to a faulty starter motor wiring harness. This is after they replaced about $3,000 worth of components over 4 trips to the dealer (the keys were the first thing replaced).
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
It is not necessarily a key issue. It can be a starter motor issue or any of a number of other things (brake interlock, transmission interlock, etc. etc.). Before engaging the starter, the computer checks dozens of parameters including resistance to/from starter motor. If anything is out of whack, it will refuse to start.
My wife had an intermittent issue like this on her W203 for over a year before they finally tracked it down to a faulty starter motor wiring harness. This is after they replaced about $3,000 worth of components over 4 trips to the dealer (the keys were the first thing replaced).
My wife had an intermittent issue like this on her W203 for over a year before they finally tracked it down to a faulty starter motor wiring harness. This is after they replaced about $3,000 worth of components over 4 trips to the dealer (the keys were the first thing replaced).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
2011 GLK350, 2010 ML350, 2008 C63 AMG
i'm bringing my car in for service in 2 weeks for Service B - hit the time mark again so I'll have them check out the issue and provide updates if they tell me anything.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
update:
i've driven a week with the other key, and have not had an issue with starting the car. so i'm thinking it could just be the key that i was using before that has the problem. i really like the fact when i got the car and started it, i learned that i didn't have to turn and hold the key to the right to start the car... i remember the first time i turned the key and just let go and the car still started... but when this problem started, i couldn't do it all the time.
the same feeling is back with the other key though =)
i've driven a week with the other key, and have not had an issue with starting the car. so i'm thinking it could just be the key that i was using before that has the problem. i really like the fact when i got the car and started it, i learned that i didn't have to turn and hold the key to the right to start the car... i remember the first time i turned the key and just let go and the car still started... but when this problem started, i couldn't do it all the time.
the same feeling is back with the other key though =)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 2
From: NY
See Sig
Do you have a lot of weight on your key ring?
Have you tried your spare to see if the problem goes away?
Ive heard issues with stall and difficult starts due to heavy key rings pulling on the MB key while its in the ignition. Keyless go is nice for this problem.
Have you tried your spare to see if the problem goes away?
Ive heard issues with stall and difficult starts due to heavy key rings pulling on the MB key while its in the ignition. Keyless go is nice for this problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 2
2009 c63, 2010 E63
update:
i've driven a week with the other key, and have not had an issue with starting the car. so i'm thinking it could just be the key that i was using before that has the problem. i really like the fact when i got the car and started it, i learned that i didn't have to turn and hold the key to the right to start the car... i remember the first time i turned the key and just let go and the car still started... but when this problem started, i couldn't do it all the time.
the same feeling is back with the other key though =)
i've driven a week with the other key, and have not had an issue with starting the car. so i'm thinking it could just be the key that i was using before that has the problem. i really like the fact when i got the car and started it, i learned that i didn't have to turn and hold the key to the right to start the car... i remember the first time i turned the key and just let go and the car still started... but when this problem started, i couldn't do it all the time.
the same feeling is back with the other key though =)
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
From: prattville alabama
C63
i've had this problem for a while, and i wanted to know if it's an isolated thing. it happens occasionally, i haven't really seen a pattern.
i get in the car, stick the key in, turn it all the way to the right to start the car, and it does nothing. everything turns on like normal as if it's in the ON position, since that's what it reverts back to after you make an attempt to start the car, except the engine. from there, i try turning to the right again, and it does nothing. the only way to start the car is to go all the way to the left, and start over. then it starts up just fine. i don't have to pull the key out.
i get in the car, stick the key in, turn it all the way to the right to start the car, and it does nothing. everything turns on like normal as if it's in the ON position, since that's what it reverts back to after you make an attempt to start the car, except the engine. from there, i try turning to the right again, and it does nothing. the only way to start the car is to go all the way to the left, and start over. then it starts up just fine. i don't have to pull the key out.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 14
From: dfw
'10 C63
lol have i? maybe it's because i ask a lot of questions. but i don't think i can negotiate a new car. it's not like these problems can't be solved. the engine is great, the car is great, i' just seeing if i can take care of the little things.
