2004 E320 Starting Problem
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Joined: Aug 2009
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2004 E320 4Matic
2004 E320 Starting Problem
Hi everyone,
My 2004 E320 has recently had a strange problem with starting. When I put in the key and try to start the engine, all of the dashboard lights will come on as usual, but the starter will not crank. No noise at all seems to come from the engine. I take the key out and try again two or three times, and finally the engine will start up normally, as if nothing had gone wrong at all. I called AAA and had the battery and alternator testing. The battery and alternator are in great shape, according to AAA's testing equipment!
This problem is intermittent. Usually, it happens in the morning, when I need to get somewhere important - perhaps the extreme cold we've been getting in New England has something to do with it? When I tried to show the AAA driver, on the other hand, the car started up beautifully!
Has anyone else had a similar intermittent problem?
I spoke to a fellow Mercedes-Benz enthusiast yesterday (who does all of his own work on a 1995 SL500, BTW), and he said that the starter solenoid might be the problem.
Also, I haven't replaced the battery in the key in a while. Could a simple key battery (standard key, not Keyless-Go) be the cause?
I appreciate everyone's advice. I'd just like to rule out simple things first!
- Tkachster
My 2004 E320 has recently had a strange problem with starting. When I put in the key and try to start the engine, all of the dashboard lights will come on as usual, but the starter will not crank. No noise at all seems to come from the engine. I take the key out and try again two or three times, and finally the engine will start up normally, as if nothing had gone wrong at all. I called AAA and had the battery and alternator testing. The battery and alternator are in great shape, according to AAA's testing equipment!
This problem is intermittent. Usually, it happens in the morning, when I need to get somewhere important - perhaps the extreme cold we've been getting in New England has something to do with it? When I tried to show the AAA driver, on the other hand, the car started up beautifully!
Has anyone else had a similar intermittent problem?
I spoke to a fellow Mercedes-Benz enthusiast yesterday (who does all of his own work on a 1995 SL500, BTW), and he said that the starter solenoid might be the problem.
Also, I haven't replaced the battery in the key in a while. Could a simple key battery (standard key, not Keyless-Go) be the cause?
I appreciate everyone's advice. I'd just like to rule out simple things first!
- Tkachster
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
2004 E500 Wagon
I've been having the exact same problem this whole winter: intermittently during cold days (40-45F or below) I'd get no crank at all when key's turned. I had to attempt ignition (turning key from position 2 to 3) multiple times to eventually initiate crank. It felt like a bad contact in the ignition switch (or a bad relay or solenoid somewhere?), but definitely wasn't caused by a bad battery and most likely not a bad starter either. When the car did start it started right up, and the starter sounded strong and not strain like if the battery was weak.
Can anyone else shed some light on this problem?
Can anyone else shed some light on this problem?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 314
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From: Coastal Georgia, USA
2007 E350 Sedan
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
2004 E500 Wagon
Sometimes I can get crank by backing the key off a smidget from position 3. (eg. turned key all the way to right but no crank, but backing key off to left a smidget and starter cranks, but usually only cranks for a split second and not the sustained cranking till the engine starts) And this feels to me like there's a bad contact inside the ignition switch itself??
