E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

Ignition not unlocking car semi dead

Old Jan 13, 2021 | 02:38 AM
  #1  
austingtir's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 95
From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
Ignition not unlocking car semi dead

E550 ignition not unlocking and key not operating central locking anymore.

This is a car I bought as a repair it was on its *** with the airmatic flat. I removed the pump and semi reconditioned it by replacing the piston ring and honing the bore. It appeared to pump the tank up and shut off. I left it to allow the pump to cool down after the rebuild. Opened the door again 15 min later and it pumped for a shorter period of time and the rear started lifting but then the pump shut down as said it only ran for a short period of time.

Thats when the problems with the ignition not working and then after I pulled the key apart and tried cleaning the IR sensor and inside the key body then central locking didnt work either.....

I connected my star diagnostics and I have attached some pics of the results.

Its showing a code 37 in the EIS? And the star diagnostics work I did on the EIS showed me : Output terminal 15c component N73 (EIS [EZS] control unit.







Reply
Old Jan 13, 2021 | 02:43 AM
  #2  
austingtir's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 95
From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
So as said I got two issues first is ignition not functioning. second is airmatic pump doesnt want to pump for more than a second now even in star diagnostics and telling it to fill the struts it will just start to pump for a second or less and then its off.

Before the ignition failed I could open the door and the airmatic would try to pump up as per normal and the dash would light up you'd hear the usual electrical clicks behind the dash. Now the dash does light up on Drivers door opening but only a vague electrical noise not the clicks of relays etc as before.

Obviously the ignition is my primary worry atm. I was thinking its the key but now after seeing this scan result its obviously something to do with this output terminal 15c failure. Or have I got that wrong and its a simple key failure? I only have one key.

I have checked fuses but not relays.

Does anyone have the shop manual section that covers this 15c failure and the component n73? And can give me some hints on how to attack this??

Should I stump up and just order a new key from MB or should I investigate the 15c and N73 first?

Last edited by austingtir; Jan 13, 2021 at 02:51 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2021 | 09:27 AM
  #3  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
15c should not be energized with key removed so in effect it seems EIS is not receiving key although expensive I suggest key replacement and if for some reason it is not key you will have second key that may be needed for future diagnostics.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2021 | 09:32 AM
  #4  
rapidoxidation's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,748
Likes: 880
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
Is your battery fully charged?
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2021 | 04:15 PM
  #5  
austingtir's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 95
From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
Originally Posted by rapidoxidation
Is your battery fully charged?

Yes it was dead flat but I charged it over two days with a ctek and it seems ok. Tests ok with my solar battery tester.

I also disconnected it overnight to let the computers reset and reconnected it.

Also tried a known good battery temporarily.

Charged the original e550 battery and put it back in it tests ok.


Reply
Old Jan 13, 2021 | 04:31 PM
  #6  
austingtir's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 95
From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
Originally Posted by konigstiger
15c should not be energized with key removed so in effect it seems EIS is not receiving key although expensive I suggest key replacement and if for some reason it is not key you will have second key that may be needed for future diagnostics.

That test in star tell you to install and remove the key multiple times. I believe that photo is the last stage of the test with the key installed in the ignition.

So yeah its likely either the Key or the EIS or both?


So no chance its something like a relay or bad wiring on the car?
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2021 | 05:12 PM
  #7  
austingtir's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 95
From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
I just had the key scanned with an autel key scanner system. The infrared worked after a couple tries. The Rf while pushing the buttons didnt seem to but he wasnt sure if was something to do with the autel scanner.

So in theory the key is maybe ok either way when stuck in the ignition it should work so now we are suspecting the EIS ignition box.

I am now going to remove the EIS box as I have spare one and this guy has suggested he can remove the chips and swap them between the two modules and we'll try that before I go about ordering new components which will obviously be way more $$$$
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:46 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE