1996 E300D failure to start
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 31
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From: Rusk County, Texas
1996 E300D, 2005 E320 CDI
1996 E300D failure to start
I just got the car to start again. It would crank over, but not start, but the rear view mirror lights were flashing an alternating red and green. The flashing lights indicated the anti-theft system was activated or there wasn't a signal getting to the fuel system, even though I had locked and unlocked the car with the remote.
According to AllData's diagnostics, that condition could possibly be reset by disconnecting the battery. So, that's what I did and for some reason I didn't have to rest the radio code.
Anyway, it starts again, so I guess it's time to trade it off. I've only had it for about 2000 miles, but I'm not going to put up with constant electrical problems, as German products are notoriously prone to having. In other words, it relegates the vehicle to the basic piece of junk status and at my age, that's a no go!
The fuel economy wasn't what I expected either. On a 1300+ mile trip, it used 46 gallons of fuel at a cost of $127.00 and averaged 29.4 mpg, instead of the 35 mpg advertised for interstate driving. I did get 37.9 on one tank of fuel, but the overall average negates that number. The last tank took me 591 miles between fill ups, but I can't drive that long without a stop. The overall average did include some city driving, but it was a small portion of the whole.
According to AllData's diagnostics, that condition could possibly be reset by disconnecting the battery. So, that's what I did and for some reason I didn't have to rest the radio code.
Anyway, it starts again, so I guess it's time to trade it off. I've only had it for about 2000 miles, but I'm not going to put up with constant electrical problems, as German products are notoriously prone to having. In other words, it relegates the vehicle to the basic piece of junk status and at my age, that's a no go!
The fuel economy wasn't what I expected either. On a 1300+ mile trip, it used 46 gallons of fuel at a cost of $127.00 and averaged 29.4 mpg, instead of the 35 mpg advertised for interstate driving. I did get 37.9 on one tank of fuel, but the overall average negates that number. The last tank took me 591 miles between fill ups, but I can't drive that long without a stop. The overall average did include some city driving, but it was a small portion of the whole.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 31
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From: Rusk County, Texas
1996 E300D, 2005 E320 CDI
Here it is two days later and the engine won't start again and the red and green lights are flashing again. I haven't locked it since the last episode, so one wouldn't think it's a locking system malfunction. It was suggested, by the MB representative I talked to, to lock and unlock the door and the trunk two or three times each. Of course, the key doesn't unlock anything, so that's an exercise in futility. He also suggested a new battery in the infrared remote, even though it tests OK.
I guess a call to the previous owner is in order, to see if this has been a recurring problem.
I guess a call to the previous owner is in order, to see if this has been a recurring problem.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 31
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From: Rusk County, Texas
1996 E300D, 2005 E320 CDI
In an attempt to demonstrate the folly of depending on electronic control, I locked and unlocked the truck one time with the key. Even though it didn't do anything the last time I tried that reset method, the engine cranked right up!
Well, that was embarrassing
, but also shows it's undependable, with no assurance it will start again after reaching a destination.
It seems that a method for disabling the anti-theft system would go a long way in increasing this car's reliability factor. I live 6 1/2 miles from the nearest town with a population of 500, so it isn't like I actually need an anti-theft system. Especially since I don't even lock it most of the time.
Well, that was embarrassing
, but also shows it's undependable, with no assurance it will start again after reaching a destination.It seems that a method for disabling the anti-theft system would go a long way in increasing this car's reliability factor. I live 6 1/2 miles from the nearest town with a population of 500, so it isn't like I actually need an anti-theft system. Especially since I don't even lock it most of the time.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 345
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From: Richmond, VA
1999 W210 E300 Turbodiesel
wow i guess that's wut i need to do next time, so far i got this kinda problem 2wice with my 96 300D, when it happen to me i just kept starting for like 10 min lol.
