avezbakiyev

Hi Folks,

Hoping some you gents can give me additional guidance. My E350 w212 suddenly failed to turn over (Crank). Everything powers up, but starter does not crank. Relay also does NOT click. Here is what I checked:

• Battery at full charge (12.4V)
• All front left engine bay fuses are good
• opened the starter relay and discovered the points were fused together. I cleaned the relay points. The relay now works on the test bench but not when in car.
• Disconnected main battery in attempt to reset ECU
• scanner tool (iCarsoft) shows 2 codes:

1. ECU power malfunction
2. ECU power at input missing

Could this be the front SAM? If it needs replacing, does it need to be programmed? If buying a used SAM, is it critical the SAM come from the same year and options? I am DIYer and avoiding the dealer like the plague.

Any guidance to additional tests would be much appreciated!

Thanks-

konigstiger

You do not mention model year, check front prefuse box.

VegasE

Had an identical problem while on a trip but was not able to check codes. Wound up being a key failure. I did not have a spare key with me and the dealer needed my other key to verify the key failure so they had to order one. I now keep my spare key in my trunk.

avezbakiyev

This is happening on my 2010 E350 4matic.

Trying another key did not help.
Where is the front pre-fuse box? pictures show its near the battery, but i dont see it.

Thanks-

konigstiger

See here: http://workshop-manuals.com/mercedes...box/page_6458/ + next page.

avezbakiyev

Thanks-

Just checked the pre fuse box looks ok as the whole car has power? The issues continues to elude me. everything powers on but the starter does not crank. Starter relay also does not click (but is confirmed to be ok). could this be the front SAM causing this? anything else I should consider? does the SAM need to be reprogrammed if i am to buy a used one?

konigstiger

Front SAM (inspection/replacement): http://workshop-manuals.com/mercedes...and_relay_box/ + next page.

avezbakiyev

Thanks for the removal instructions. looks to be straight forward. I guess with out the STAR tool I am shooting in the dark. Any other feedback is welcomed.

Thanks-

belarus27

possibly a starter related issue , for 10-11 models , faulty starters or smth , got mine replaced under warranty 2 years ago
check that first of all id say..

PatrixUSA

Maybe try this?
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ml#post6269888

Otherwise, I'd side with belarus, could be the starter. Is there anyway to power the starter directly on the w212?

konigstiger

Of course starter would be logical step but if SAM damage is noticed where fused relay that seems to be good connects this warrants both prefuse & SAM inspection.

belarus27

pretty good idea , especially that it doesnt require too much work.

belarus27

UPDATE 8.28.18
so last thursday i went to wells fargo , and when i came back and tried starting my e550 it cranked but didnt start . I was in hurry and had to go so i pressed the brake and tried starting it like 3 times in a row try after try where i got to the point where i couldn't start it and even more couldn't hear my starter clicking.
called my friend to try to jump .... nothing (even tried that portable jump thingy)
then went to walmart to get a battery just to see if i be able to start..and....nothing.
then all sad and defeated called up another friend that towed me on his acura to my house (luckily it was couple of miles away and it was already around 10pm and not that many cars on the road)
interesting night.
just to add...i had starting issues for a while where it would crank for a few seconds and then start some days are worse than the others.

Fix.
after searching different forums and web sites and videos it all came down to starter. I went ahead and bout one off rockauto which is TYC brand new for (why i made this decision instead of Bosch is because i have already replaced my starter in Jan. 20th 2014 so i thought that if i have to replace it every 60k miles id try and give a shot to TYC plus it was cheaper anyways)
so i got it and had my local indy shop replace it for a $120.
After paying went to start it and go to gym.....
Damn , that start was almost instant never had my car start this fast. So it did fix the problem. So if anyone got the same issues it is the starter.
idk how it will be in longevity but im happy , needed to fix it but postponed it lol until i actually had to replace it asap.
life lessons.
p.s. earlier i bought a crankshaft position sensor which i thought was the issue at the very beginning which it wasnt and i never had a chance to replace.
oh another p.s. i also went under the car to bang on starter that didnt help either. Lol

belarus27

Some pics of old record and also old starter (i definately banged on it &#128578