Soft top failed, engine wouldn't start - what's the connection?
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Victoria, Australia
2011 C200 CDI
Soft top failed, engine wouldn't start - what's the connection?
Got in my 2000 CLK230 cab tonight, turned the key and pulled the soft-top button - windows went down, but button simply flashed and soft-top refused to move. Checked that the trunk was closed and the luggage thingy was correctly closed - no problems. Still soft-top wouldn't move.
So I thought I'd drive home with the roof up and check later. Engine fired once and instantly died. Removed the key, reinserted it and engine started, although it revved fairly high for a second or two before settling back to a normal idle. And surprise! The roof now opened properly!
Have no idea what was wrong, but what's the connection between the roof not opening and the engine refusing to fire?? Windows were OK, so it wasn't the entire electrical system.
Wondering if the immobilizer read the code wrongly from the key, hence the engine not firing till I removed and reinserted it. Would the immobilizer also stop the roof opening, if it thought the wrong key had been inserted?
I'd appreciate any suggestions. Seems to be OK now, but I'd hate this to become permanent and leave me stranded somewhere. Car still has 7 months MB warranty left, so I'd like it resolved before it expires.
Thanks.
So I thought I'd drive home with the roof up and check later. Engine fired once and instantly died. Removed the key, reinserted it and engine started, although it revved fairly high for a second or two before settling back to a normal idle. And surprise! The roof now opened properly!
Have no idea what was wrong, but what's the connection between the roof not opening and the engine refusing to fire?? Windows were OK, so it wasn't the entire electrical system.
Wondering if the immobilizer read the code wrongly from the key, hence the engine not firing till I removed and reinserted it. Would the immobilizer also stop the roof opening, if it thought the wrong key had been inserted?
I'd appreciate any suggestions. Seems to be OK now, but I'd hate this to become permanent and leave me stranded somewhere. Car still has 7 months MB warranty left, so I'd like it resolved before it expires.
Thanks.
