griza

So my 2010 E550 Coupe has 77k miles, been having a starting issue where it will start no problem 49 times out of 50. When it doesn't start, it is dead as a door nail. Thought it could be the starter so its in the shop as I type this to replace. Shop just called and said it started up after install, then same issue..it won't start. They checked fuses and are going through electrical schematics. They think it could be the anti theft having an issue. Has anyone experienced anything like this an can offer any advice?

nota_amg

do you use the key to turn the ignition on, or are you using the push to start?

when you say it is dead, do all the rights come on? any warning in the cluster about the key not being correct? Any clicking noise from the starter solenoid?

If I had to guess, I would say if everything lights up and you are turning the key in the EIS, then you may have an EIS(Electronic Ignition Switch) issue.

usually if you are using PTS, and there is an issue with the key battery, you'll get a "Key not found" warning or something like that in the cluster.

griza

When its dead, the middle of the cluster does light up when either using push start or inserting either key, both with brand new batteries. When dead and trying to start, you can hear a click sometimes. Sometimes it does say key not found when having the issue. It is a random thing and everything you mentioned happens sometimes. One time no lights and clicking, one time no clicking and middle gauge says key not found, another time no key warning, no clicking..very frustrating.

griza

Just got off the phone with the shop, they are getting power to both the ESL and EIS and to the starter relay. What else could it be?

konigstiger

May be ESL, see attached bulletin.

griza

Unfortunately the shop is saying the ESL is not showing a fault. Thank you so much, if any other suggestions I am all ears.

nota_amg

Grounding issue in the main battery circuit? May be getting the proper voltage, but high resistivity not allowing enough amperage to go to starter?

konigstiger

Read bulletin...

griza

Thank you both so much for taking the time out to help. I sent the bulletin to my contact at MB. He is researching and and will follow up tomorrow. I will keep you posted on the issue, maybe it will help a fellow member in the future. My sincere thank you once again!

crazy00c230k

I had the steering lock fail on my 2012, sounds like the exact same problem. You can hear a slight ticking, which I assumed was a solenoid or something trying to unlock the wheel, then nothing. Had to get it towed to the dealer (thankfully it was still under warranty so I used MB roadside assistance) and wouldn't you know it at the dealer it fired right up. Glad I used roadside assistance as the problem was documented by the roadside tech so the dealer kept it until they were able to replicate the problem (happened again a couple hours later). If I remember correctly, unfortunately its a relatively common failure on all the w204 based cars.

griza

I had to have my car towed and when the tow truck arrived, still in the air, it fired up after 4 hrs of trying to start it.

sunny9781

did you get this fixed? any solution? mine suffers from random long cranks - but always starts. Put.a motomaster AGM battery in earlier this year so doubt its the battery, maybe starter? not sure - and its random maybe twice a week.

griza

I have not gotten it fixed yet. I don't drive it that often, it always starts after sitting for a day or two. I just leave it running when I have to use it for errands or whatever. I will have it fixed within the next week or two and will report back.

I also have had the random long cranking so you might be about to experience the same issue.

sunny9781

Apparantly to a mercedes mech in the area, the slow/long crank is due to the starters on the *550's.
I also feel random rumbling when the car is idle'ing or in park - not sure if they are related issues.
Please let us know what happens with yours! thx.

griza

I had my starter replaced as that was what I initially thought the issue was. Starter was replaced and car would not start for about 8hrs while stuck on the lift in the mechanics shop. Def not the issue, at least on mine. The long cranking was happening a bit more often when I started having the no starting issue.

brantjes

I literally had the same Issue, no one could find issue.
Would crank slowly sometimes, and then just not start at all for no real reason.
Changed the battery despite still having a bit of life left in it and has been perfect since.

sunny9781

Changed the starter which was fairly corroded with a bosch one, starts right up no more slow crank

griza

So just a quick update..As in a previous post, I had the starter changed. When the starter was installed, the car would not start and was stuck on the mechanics lift for an entire day. The car finally started the next morning and by some strike of luck, I have not had an issue since. I have been driving the car almost on a daily basis and it starts up without hesitation. Now that I posted this I am probably jinxing myself but this is where we are.

sunny9781

I now have a new starting problem:
- brake pedal is unable to be pressed normally- kind of locked?
- pressing the start button seems like the starter is spinning but it does not start
- dash lights come on, dim while attempting to start
- boosting it made no difference
- the kicker? the next day when i ordered a tow it it started. no idea what the issue is. drove it to mechanic and couldnt find an issue:
- video in case it was the issue any of you guys had:

churrrbro91

Hey guys I'm new to this forums just need some help.

2013 Mercedes Benz C250 - 55xxx KM clean as a whistle bought it brand new from the dealership

So I had a steering angle sensor changed to a after market one because one of the indictors broke off. Turned the car on every single light came on, drove it for a couple of weeks my car started jerking like it was mis firing . Took my car to a mechanic they replace my sttering angle sensor to a brand new one that cost me $2300 drove my car home and it still started jerking abit turned the motor off now my car dosent start at all it only turns to the reds Lights but not engine. can you guys please help me out .

nota_amg

yeah, call whoever you had "Fix" it, and tell them to send a wrecker because it's not fixed. Get you money back for what they did and make them fix it right.

Coonsa

Short Version: '11 E550 Coupe would not start. Turns out the starter went bad as was mentioned earlier in this thread. Car currently has 77k miles.

Long Version: Over the weekend my '11 E550 coupe would not start. When attempting to start vehicle there was no 'click' coming from under the hood. Everything else worked fine (lights, no warning lights, etc). I tried jumping the vehicle thinking it was a bad battery but I had no luck, still no click from starter. Had vehicle towed to local mechanic, they looked over battery, alternator, wiring and confirmed that the starter had gone bad. Somewhere in this thread it was mentioned that the E550's have starter issues which was the case with my vehicle. I am the original owner and can confirm that for years the stater has sounded weak.

Dnasty

I have been having this same issue for at least a year and it is getting worse. It's been to the dealer four times and they can't figure it out.