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My 2006 E200 Kompressor has been showing some very weird behavior. Specifically:
1) When I turn the ignition on, sometimes no dashboard light comes on for 2-3 seconds. Then everything behaves normally. At other times, the car stays dead and I have to turn the key off or even remove it and retry before it starts behaving normally.
2) While driving, the car suddenly turns off. I then shift to neutral and turn the key off and then on. The engine then restarts allowing me to bring the car to a halt safely. This has happened 3-4 times over the past year.
The car drives well with no other problems. It has done over 160,000 km and has been properly maintained at home. I have DAS/Xentry software that shows no faults other than a stuck wiper motor once in a while. The wipers work just fine, however, and I am able to clear the fault code easily and resume my normal routine.
The random shutdown behavior is very worrisome. Any help in diagnosing the problem would be hugely appreciated.
It does not throw any codes. After a few months of driving, I occasionally scan the car and see the "wiper motor stuck" code but no functional failures. The only other fault in the car is that the left side mirror does not fold (probably a broken wire or bad motor) but even that does not raise any codes.
Four years old. Genuine Varta. Still shows 12.4V or better before starting.
Voltage is load dependent -- what does it read with motor off and lights on? You can get a better assessment at any auto store where they can load test it for you.
Thank you. I will have the battery checked out. However, since the engine shutdown occurred with the car on the road and the alternator providing full power, I don't think the problem lies with the battery. In any case, I followed your suggestion and tested the car out just now. It had not been started for a few days, but I am posting my results as photographs. I have also made a video of the startup and will try to post a link here. Perhaps that will give a good idea whether the battery/alternator are working properly or not.
*** Interesting to note: After taking the readings with the headlights on, I tried to start the car. The dash lights did not come on, and nothing happened on turning the switch. On the third try, everything came on and the car started! Does this give any idea? Ignition off. Ignition off. Low beam on. Ignition off. Low and high beams on.
Batteries are curious devices. Some die quietly while others go out fighting. And battery management systems make them even more perplexing. Newer automobiles prioritize functions when batteries have limited power capacity, and seem to flip around in confusing ways. When strange behaviors occur, check your battery first.
Thank you. I will have the battery checked out. However, since the engine shutdown occurred with the car on the road and the alternator providing full power, I don't think the problem lies with the battery. In any case, I followed your suggestion and tested the car out just now. It had not been started for a few days, but I am posting my results as photographs. I have also made a video of the startup and will try to post a link here. Perhaps that will give a good idea whether the battery/alternator are working properly or not.
*** Interesting to note: After taking the readings with the headlights on, I tried to start the car. The dash lights did not come on, and nothing happened on turning the switch. On the third try, everything came on and the car started! Does this give any idea? Ignition off. Ignition off. Low beam on. Ignition off. Low and high beams on.
These basic tests just about rule out your main. battery for now, righ?
You don't need another battery as long as you don't let it get drained out while parked.
One of your SAM relay is in charge of pwr mgt thats failing - Use diagram to walk through favorite suspects.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 29, 2026 at 08:59 PM.
Batteries are curious devices. Some die quietly while others go out fighting. And battery management systems make them even more perplexing. Newer automobiles prioritize functions when batteries have limited power capacity, and seem to flip around in confusing ways. When strange behaviors occur, check your battery first.
Agreed. I used my simple battery tester and it reported a 90% state of charge, 68% state of health along with the recommendation to replace the battery! I think I will try and check out the power management relay as suggested by CaliBenzDriver. Thanks for your help and guidance.
Agreed. I used my simple battery tester and it reported a 90% state of charge, 68% state of health along with the recommendation to replace the battery! I think I will try and check out the power management relay as suggested by CaliBenzDriver. Thanks for your help and guidance.
Some ppl keep replacing batteries really often as some type of insurance against more expensive repairs.
The starter battery does not do much after starting while Alternator is powering all consumers.
The starter circuit is pretty simple - You don't need any diagram to test with your bidirectional $140 scanner.
Check and clean the battery ground strap to chassis and all ground connections
Go ahead and proactively replace Circuit 15 relay with OEM part
Try another key (why not if you haven't done so already)
Thanks. Will check the ground strap.
Not sure where the circuit 15 relay is and whether it is applicable to the W211.
Both keys have been checked and their batteries replaced. No change.
Quick update:
I removed and reinstalled all the relays in the engine fuse/relay box. No change. Ignition still showed the delayed behavior before turning on.
I then removed and reinstalled the ECU connector. It seemed to make an immediate difference, and the ignition came on immediately on turning the key. Engine started cleanly.
I will recheck the system tomorrow (Let it sleep and then re-check). I will post an update if the problem gets resolved.
Quick update:
I removed and reinstalled all the relays in the engine fuse/relay box. No change. Ignition still showed the delayed behavior before turning on.
I then removed and reinstalled the ECU connector. It seemed to make an immediate difference, and the ignition came on immediately on turning the key. Engine started cleanly.
I will recheck the system tomorrow (Let it sleep and then re-check). I will post an update if the problem gets resolved.
When you disable live circuits by pulling relays and fuses blindly it creates additional disruptions.
You need to clear faulted modules to regain normal processing.
Your target is to have ALL significant faults worked out.
🤞
When you disable live circuits by pulling relays and fuses blindly it creates additional disruptions.
You need to clear faulted modules to regain normal processing.
Your target is to have ALL significant faults worked out.
🤞
So this morning, it is back to the usual 1-2 second delay before the instrument panel comes on. Then everything works.
The advantage of having a simple model is not having codes thrown at random. No codes were triggered and the car is behaving well other than the delay on startup. Basically, the problem has not been identified or resolved, and I still dread having the electronics die on the highway. I am planning a longish drive today, but I expect a reverse Murphy: when you expect something to go wrong, nothing will! Let's see.
My 2006 E200 Kompressor has been showing some very weird behavior. Specifically:
1) When I turn the ignition on, sometimes no dashboard light comes on for 2-3 seconds. Then everything behaves normally. At other times, the car stays dead and I have to turn the key off or even remove it and retry before it starts behaving normally.
2) While driving, the car suddenly turns off. I then shift to neutral and turn the key off and then on. The engine then restarts allowing me to bring the car to a halt safely. This has happened 3-4 times over the past year.
The car drives well with no other problems. It has done over 160,000 km and has been properly maintained at home. I have DAS/Xentry software that shows no faults other than a stuck wiper motor once in a while. The wipers work just fine, however, and I am able to clear the fault code easily and resume my normal routine.
The random shutdown behavior is very worrisome. Any help in diagnosing the problem would be hugely appreciated.
- - - - -
I had a Sprinter with Sprintshift which would occasionally die. Sometimes it would restart immediatedly and sometimes it would be U/S for days! The only fault showing was random injector failures. It turned out to be the loss of all 3 power supply leads to the engine computer. Perhaps if you look at your schematics you will find a connection which takes power off your wipers and can shut down the vehicle engine. Just a thought.
2005 E320 4-Matic Wagon and 2016 E350 4-Matic Wagon
Drastic situations call for drastic measures. Find a test track or farmer/rancher with miles of open road. Fill the tank with gas, Hook up Xentry live data and put the car thru its paces until failure. Save logged data. Maybe you can convince an MB techie to come along and help diagnose.
- - - - -
I had a Sprinter with Sprintshift which would occasionally die. Sometimes it would restart immediatedly and sometimes it would be U/S for days! The only fault showing was random injector failures. It turned out to be the loss of all 3 power supply leads to the engine computer. Perhaps if you look at your schematics you will find a connection which takes power off your wipers and can shut down the vehicle engine. Just a thought.
Great suggestion. I need to link the delay of the dash coming alive, the (very) occasional wiper code, and the once in six months engine shutdown and try to identify the problem. The fact that the problems surface so far apart, makes it very hard to identify the real issue. Scans always come out negative
Today's test results are attached. Any suggestions would be helpful.
the pdf report shows module P/N with a check mark... not useful for troubleshooting.
See... I don't think your chassis has no faults, not even stored ones.
the pdf report shows module P/N with a check mark... not useful for troubleshooting.
See... I don't think your chassis has no faults, not even stored ones.
Actually, the Mercedes DAS/Xentry software (where this report originated) will NOT put a check mark if there are any faults. You will see an "ï", or "f" or "F" and then you can dig down to determine the real fault/code including any stored ones. There are no fault codes on this chassis. Ah well, back to the drawing board.
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