CLK wont start at all
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
CLK wont start at all
Hi folks,
Can someone please help me. My car has been fine for the last few months and working great I finally got a list of problem sorted with it and have been happy with it at last, however today when I went to start the car, the dash lights up, there are a few whizz sounds from the engine and the back of the car a few clicks, the key turns but the car wont start at all the instrument cluster lights flicker and the car wont start, I was told by the mechanic that its a low battery and to try jumping it. The battery is pretty much new about 2 months old, I did try a jump start though and that still didnt work, I cant take it to the garage because I have no way to get it there and they wont come out... Is there anything else I could do, would this be an issue with the starter motor, and where exactly is the starter motor (sorry if its a really dumb question) its W208, CLK 230 K Automatic
Hope someone can help with any suggestions, cant get it out of the garage
Its also just in time for the Service A Due Now message to appear on the Cluster, it was a 100 miles away yesterday... Its only just come up with the message and the car wont even start now, lol
Have read a few threads about cleaning battery connectors and checking fuses, already tried all those...
Can someone please help me. My car has been fine for the last few months and working great I finally got a list of problem sorted with it and have been happy with it at last, however today when I went to start the car, the dash lights up, there are a few whizz sounds from the engine and the back of the car a few clicks, the key turns but the car wont start at all the instrument cluster lights flicker and the car wont start, I was told by the mechanic that its a low battery and to try jumping it. The battery is pretty much new about 2 months old, I did try a jump start though and that still didnt work, I cant take it to the garage because I have no way to get it there and they wont come out... Is there anything else I could do, would this be an issue with the starter motor, and where exactly is the starter motor (sorry if its a really dumb question) its W208, CLK 230 K Automatic
Hope someone can help with any suggestions, cant get it out of the garage
Its also just in time for the Service A Due Now message to appear on the Cluster, it was a 100 miles away yesterday... Its only just come up with the message and the car wont even start now, lol
Have read a few threads about cleaning battery connectors and checking fuses, already tried all those...
Last edited by c9679; May 16, 2007 at 06:40 PM.
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Oviedo,Fla.
2000 CLK 320 Conv. 1988 911 2000 F350 1983 300D 1995 Toyota 4Runner
start and no start
My y2k clk 320 has a recent start and no start problem. Could it be the cps or an alarm problem? Again it just began this tonight, but it finally did start. Also anybody have any better engine pics showing cps location?
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Member
Joined: May 2004
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From: Pensacola, FL
1999 CLK 320
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 386
Likes: 2
From: Cali
2000 CLK 320
LMAO, thats exactly were i got stranding too! was filling up, then proceed to leave and every1 just turns to look at me cause all they hear is the cranking. my car was lookin all good and just washed, but it didnt start. had to push it out the way. luckily after about an hour of waiting, it started back up and it got me home.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Hi folks,
Thanks for all your replies, I have been looking at the following pic from the forums for ages now trying to locate the thing on my own car but I cant seem to find it, every where I look on my car there are bits and pieces hiding/covering the sides of the engine.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/atta...s-dscf0005.jpg
My car is a right hand drive UK automatic and I know im just doing something dumb like looking on the wrong side of the car or something but the other side is totally covered... Could someone please have a look at some of my pictures and see if they can find it or point out at least what side of the car its on, lol
http://www.nokiafx.com/car/Front.jpg
http://www.nokiafx.com/car/Right.jpg - When looking from the front of the car (this is the passenger side of the car)
http://www.nokiafx.com/car/Left.jpg
http://www.nokiafx.com/car/LeftCloseUp.jpg
The crank shaft sensor is £80 plus VAT and the mechanic told me its only goes when the car is hot, it should still start when its cold its been raining for 2 days and I havent drove the car for 2 days so I dont know how much colder its supposed to be
Thanks for all your replies, I have been looking at the following pic from the forums for ages now trying to locate the thing on my own car but I cant seem to find it, every where I look on my car there are bits and pieces hiding/covering the sides of the engine.
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/atta...s-dscf0005.jpg
My car is a right hand drive UK automatic and I know im just doing something dumb like looking on the wrong side of the car or something but the other side is totally covered... Could someone please have a look at some of my pictures and see if they can find it or point out at least what side of the car its on, lol
http://www.nokiafx.com/car/Front.jpg
http://www.nokiafx.com/car/Right.jpg - When looking from the front of the car (this is the passenger side of the car)
http://www.nokiafx.com/car/Left.jpg
http://www.nokiafx.com/car/LeftCloseUp.jpg
The crank shaft sensor is £80 plus VAT and the mechanic told me its only goes when the car is hot, it should still start when its cold its been raining for 2 days and I havent drove the car for 2 days so I dont know how much colder its supposed to be
Last edited by c9679; May 17, 2007 at 08:23 AM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Mass.
01 CLK 320 Cabriolet
Same thing happened to mine last night at the gas station....I turned the key and it wouldnt start. I waited a few minutes and it started but now I'm nervous I'm going to have the same problem. How much does it cost for the repair?
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 929
Likes: 3
From: Littleton, CO
2005 E55 silver
My dealer charge about $350 for it. I had an extended warranty so I paid about $170 out of pocket for it. I've heard it's an extremely easy thing to replace. It'll save you a bit. The part is about $70, I think.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
NORMALLY, the CPS failure happens when the car is warm. I emphasize NORMALLY. My went whack-o after it had been driven for about 15-20 minutes. I also got 'stuck' in a gas station. *LOL*
There are a couple of things the originating poster said that lead me 'away' from a bad CPS.
1) didn't indicate that the car actually cranks upon turning the key. In my case, the engine would turn over but simply not start.
2) Instrument cluster 'flickers'...hmmm.
3) he 'went to start the car' which kind of tells me that he hadn't been in it that day. The car would be 'cold' in that case and that is NOT a symptom of a bad CPS.
4) I also don't like the 'whizz' sounds from engine and the BACK OF THE CAR (fuel pump?).
c9679: Was that the first time you tried to start it that day (was the car hot or cold)? And did the engine at least crank when you turned the key or was it silent? IF the car was warm, it should start back up after letting it sit for about 20 minutes or so. If it was cold, I suspect something else. Just my 2pennies....
There are a couple of things the originating poster said that lead me 'away' from a bad CPS.
1) didn't indicate that the car actually cranks upon turning the key. In my case, the engine would turn over but simply not start.
2) Instrument cluster 'flickers'...hmmm.
3) he 'went to start the car' which kind of tells me that he hadn't been in it that day. The car would be 'cold' in that case and that is NOT a symptom of a bad CPS.
4) I also don't like the 'whizz' sounds from engine and the BACK OF THE CAR (fuel pump?).
c9679: Was that the first time you tried to start it that day (was the car hot or cold)? And did the engine at least crank when you turned the key or was it silent? IF the car was warm, it should start back up after letting it sit for about 20 minutes or so. If it was cold, I suspect something else. Just my 2pennies....
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Thank you Whodat 
I appreciate your input, those few things are also whats leading me away from attempting the CPS change those things and the fact that its £80 and I cant even find it on my car, lol
1, When I turn the key, it makes wizzing noises and clicks. It doesnt make the Grrrr kind of noise that old cars make when they dont start properly, lol sorry I dont know what Crank means properly but I always though that was what it would mean
2, The instrument cluster flickers and so do the interior lights if they are still on. Which I thought would indicate a dodgy battery... However, its a new battery, all the lights work, windows and stereo works and it doesnt even start with a jump start
3, I hadnt used the car all day, the last time I used it was the previous evening, for about 30 mins. Instrument cluster was showing, Service A in 100 miles. It had been raining all day so I assume the car was pretty cold the following day... Went to start the car, raining outside, "Service A Due Now", Turn the key, click, click, Whizz, No Grrrrrrrr
4, I dont know what the sounds from the back of the car are, I didnt notice them before.
From all the other threads I have read about CPS, most the problems are usually on and off, when the car is hot and it usually does start after a while, my one was starting first time before this. The battery is new and I dont know where the Starter is so that I can check the wiring.
I appreciate your input, those few things are also whats leading me away from attempting the CPS change those things and the fact that its £80 and I cant even find it on my car, lol
1, When I turn the key, it makes wizzing noises and clicks. It doesnt make the Grrrr kind of noise that old cars make when they dont start properly, lol sorry I dont know what Crank means properly but I always though that was what it would mean
2, The instrument cluster flickers and so do the interior lights if they are still on. Which I thought would indicate a dodgy battery... However, its a new battery, all the lights work, windows and stereo works and it doesnt even start with a jump start
3, I hadnt used the car all day, the last time I used it was the previous evening, for about 30 mins. Instrument cluster was showing, Service A in 100 miles. It had been raining all day so I assume the car was pretty cold the following day... Went to start the car, raining outside, "Service A Due Now", Turn the key, click, click, Whizz, No Grrrrrrrr
4, I dont know what the sounds from the back of the car are, I didnt notice them before.
From all the other threads I have read about CPS, most the problems are usually on and off, when the car is hot and it usually does start after a while, my one was starting first time before this. The battery is new and I dont know where the Starter is so that I can check the wiring.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Maryland
2000 CLK 430 Cabriolet
There's a thread called 'CLK won't start'. This problem was solved by a CPS swap. He had a problem with his CPS when it was 'cold'. I had my problems when it was warmed up. Interesting.
But again, you problems don't sound like that but shoot, who knows!
But again, you problems don't sound like that but shoot, who knows!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 0
From: Nova / Rockville
Custom CLK / 05 E500 4matic / 04 Acura TL <<Daily
Keep in mind that it could also be the alternator? Have the alternator check so you can narrow your problems and figured out whats wrong with the car.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Ontario,Canada
99 CLK 430, 84 v8 rx7, 97 gtp grand prix
sounds like it could be your starter selonoid as you can here the starter wizzing but the engine isn't turning , the lights flickering could be the power draw from the selonoid trying to pull
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Clk 320
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Clk 320
It seems like alot of us have the same problem. One might be different from the other but probably simliar. I have been dealing with mine doing the same thing. Got gas last night and then it wouldn't start. I called a flat bed to tow it off to Mercedes. It's there now and I will let everyone know the results. Hopefully it is something real simple like a CPS - Crank Position Sensor.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Both the O2 sensor and the MAF are readily available from the common Mercedes supply houses and are both very easy to install. I recommend an O2 sensor wrench, but then again, I like tools.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, Missouri
2000 CLK 430
Yeah I just bought my first Benz a 2000 CLK 430. I've probably been having it for a month now and my CPS starting going out Friday night. I had to get it towed to the Benz dealership. They called me Saturday morning and confirmed my diagnoses (which I got from this board so thanks!!) and told me it would be $325 to repair it. I also got an oil change while it was there and my total ticket came up to around $380.
I want to give a big shout out to everyone in this thread because if it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't had a clue about what was wrong with my car and how to fix it.
I want to give a big shout out to everyone in this thread because if it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't had a clue about what was wrong with my car and how to fix it.
