occasional long crank time to start
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
occasional long crank time to start
My car generally starts without issue or drama. However, on a few occasions in the past few months (very rare), it will crank several times before it roars to life. The CEL does not come on at all. All the other times, it cranks once and fires right up.
For example (and this is the most recent one since it just happened this evening), the car started at home just fine (first crank today) and then took a short drive (10 minutes) to local shops. When I got out of car I noticed I had pulled forward too far into the next space (360 is on wish list for next car). So I jumped back in to restart the car and reverse a couple of feet and it took a few seconds (maybe 4-5) to crank. Other times it's happened that I can recall were in the morning after a short trip and then restarting the car about an hour later. However, more times in the same situation (short drive, an hour later) it starts right up with no delay.
Again I should stress that this rarely happens so it is just something I am keeping an eye on for now. Any advice?
For example (and this is the most recent one since it just happened this evening), the car started at home just fine (first crank today) and then took a short drive (10 minutes) to local shops. When I got out of car I noticed I had pulled forward too far into the next space (360 is on wish list for next car). So I jumped back in to restart the car and reverse a couple of feet and it took a few seconds (maybe 4-5) to crank. Other times it's happened that I can recall were in the morning after a short trip and then restarting the car about an hour later. However, more times in the same situation (short drive, an hour later) it starts right up with no delay.
Again I should stress that this rarely happens so it is just something I am keeping an eye on for now. Any advice?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
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From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
+1
Same thing here , even tho i got a new battery and had my starter replaced couple years ago.
makes me wonder if the new starter is going bad or something else is up.
would be nice to figure this one out.
also noticed i had that happening more often with bosch spark plugs. (Probably not related anyhow but is what i have observed)
Same thing here , even tho i got a new battery and had my starter replaced couple years ago.
makes me wonder if the new starter is going bad or something else is up.
would be nice to figure this one out.
also noticed i had that happening more often with bosch spark plugs. (Probably not related anyhow but is what i have observed)
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Thanks for the feedback. So if it's a sensor then the problem would become more common before it fails. I still have a couple of years left on my extended warranty (non MB ELW) but without a consistent, evident problem there is no claim.
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Did you check to see if the CPS has thrown a code? When my CPS was failing in the W211 it had thrown an error code that was logged on the times my car failed to start normally. It is a cheap part, but placed in a rather difficult spot to achieve easy access. I had bought the sensor and had my indy replace it.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
I will check to see if my reader picks up a code. Doubt it - I think it only does CEL codes. I think I would need the MB diagnostic system to read any logged error codes.
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Yeah, I think you are probably correct about that. My Indy picked up the code to verify the issue with his deluxe scan device. The fault code was in there even though I could still start and drive the car ( that’s of course when it would start).
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
The good news is that the problem didn't occur at all yesterday or today. About 10 starts since it last occurred with many just a few minutes to an hour apart.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 377
Likes: 98
From: Savannah, GA
2010 W212 E550 4matic
My car generally starts without issue or drama. However, on a few occasions in the past few months (very rare), it will crank several times before it roars to life. The CEL does not come on at all. All the other times, it cranks once and fires right up.
For example (and this is the most recent one since it just happened this evening), the car started at home just fine (first crank today) and then took a short drive (10 minutes) to local shops. When I got out of car I noticed I had pulled forward too far into the next space (360 is on wish list for next car). So I jumped back in to restart the car and reverse a couple of feet and it took a few seconds (maybe 4-5) to crank. Other times it's happened that I can recall were in the morning after a short trip and then restarting the car about an hour later. However, more times in the same situation (short drive, an hour later) it starts right up with no delay.
Again I should stress that this rarely happens so it is just something I am keeping an eye on for now. Any advice?
For example (and this is the most recent one since it just happened this evening), the car started at home just fine (first crank today) and then took a short drive (10 minutes) to local shops. When I got out of car I noticed I had pulled forward too far into the next space (360 is on wish list for next car). So I jumped back in to restart the car and reverse a couple of feet and it took a few seconds (maybe 4-5) to crank. Other times it's happened that I can recall were in the morning after a short trip and then restarting the car about an hour later. However, more times in the same situation (short drive, an hour later) it starts right up with no delay.
Again I should stress that this rarely happens so it is just something I am keeping an eye on for now. Any advice?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
My battery is about 3 years old and perhaps it's getting a little long in the tooth for Florida. My Honda goes through batteries every 2.5-3 years down here like clockwork and that car's alternator always puts out 14.7v unlike the MB. Unfortunately because this long crank issue isn't happening consistently, I can't just charge the battery and see if that fixed it. Maybe if there are no stored error codes for the CPS then I can focus more on the battery. Or wait until there are more consistent starting issues or other signs of a fading battery like short convenience time after the engine is turned off.
I do love my ctek 4.3 charger so I am ready if the battery is an issue. I do a 'normal' charge cycle with the ctek every 6 weeks to try and compensate for the smart alternator. The last time was 4 weeks ago. I haven't done the 'recondition' cycle on the battery as it is best to remove from the car for those due to the higher voltage used.
I do love my ctek 4.3 charger so I am ready if the battery is an issue. I do a 'normal' charge cycle with the ctek every 6 weeks to try and compensate for the smart alternator. The last time was 4 weeks ago. I haven't done the 'recondition' cycle on the battery as it is best to remove from the car for those due to the higher voltage used.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 377
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From: Savannah, GA
2010 W212 E550 4matic
Mine was 2.5 years old as well( manufacturing date July 2015) when it got discharged and wouldn't start the car. I wasn't charging it at all before it died on me because I didn't have the Ctek at the time. After running the reconditioning routine a couple times ( negative and positive cables detached but battery still in vehicle - a dumb practice because it could potentially spill its guts when it gets hit with 15+ V) and regularly hooking it up to the charger I haven't experienced the delayed start at all. It's been 5 months now. At first I was looking at the fuel distribution system as a possible culprit or some sort of electrical gremlin but couldn't find anything due to occurrence inconsistency or any sort of obvious fault. The battery for me was the last place I would have looked, I thought it was cranking just fine.
I didn't know heat kills batteries, I always thought it was the cold that gets them faster. I always lived in colder climate areas though so I have 0 experience with how heat affects accumulators.
I didn't know heat kills batteries, I always thought it was the cold that gets them faster. I always lived in colder climate areas though so I have 0 experience with how heat affects accumulators.
Last edited by Oda112; Apr 2, 2018 at 09:20 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mercedes e550
Need help
My car generally starts without issue or drama. However, on a few occasions in the past few months (very rare), it will crank several times before it roars to life. The CEL does not come on at all. All the other times, it cranks once and fires right up.
For example (and this is the most recent one since it just happened this evening), the car started at home just fine (first crank today) and then took a short drive (10 minutes) to local shops. When I got out of car I noticed I had pulled forward too far into the next space (360 is on wish list for next car). So I jumped back in to restart the car and reverse a couple of feet and it took a few seconds (maybe 4-5) to crank. Other times it's happened that I can recall were in the morning after a short trip and then restarting the car about an hour later. However, more times in the same situation (short drive, an hour later) it starts right up with no delay.
Again I should stress that this rarely happens so it is just something I am keeping an eye on for now. Any advice?
For example (and this is the most recent one since it just happened this evening), the car started at home just fine (first crank today) and then took a short drive (10 minutes) to local shops. When I got out of car I noticed I had pulled forward too far into the next space (360 is on wish list for next car). So I jumped back in to restart the car and reverse a couple of feet and it took a few seconds (maybe 4-5) to crank. Other times it's happened that I can recall were in the morning after a short trip and then restarting the car about an hour later. However, more times in the same situation (short drive, an hour later) it starts right up with no delay.
Again I should stress that this rarely happens so it is just something I am keeping an eye on for now. Any advice?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 67
From: West Linn, Oregon
2011 E550 - 4Matic, 2008 ML550
I had a similar issue too - I ended up with a Oddessy Battery and 16oz of MotorKote...starts awesome now...
I have the starter ready if needed - but my car is still under a service contract so figured i'd do things they would tell me first might be bad...
Good luck with your fix...
Cheers
JPC
I have the starter ready if needed - but my car is still under a service contract so figured i'd do things they would tell me first might be bad...
Good luck with your fix...
Cheers
JPC
Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 115
Likes: 93
From: Houston, TX
2010 E550
Here's a previous thread on this topic - https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2010-e550.html
My second starter recently began giving problems (car is now 11 years old, 125k miles, e550 NA), in this case it turned the engine over just fine but occasionally the engine wouldn't start. The starter is inexpensive (this time I bought with lifetime replacement) so I bought another and replaced it. The new one really kicks the engine over and it starts way better, I don't think the previous two starters were ever this good. While a stronger battery helps for me that was not the root cause.
Peter
My second starter recently began giving problems (car is now 11 years old, 125k miles, e550 NA), in this case it turned the engine over just fine but occasionally the engine wouldn't start. The starter is inexpensive (this time I bought with lifetime replacement) so I bought another and replaced it. The new one really kicks the engine over and it starts way better, I don't think the previous two starters were ever this good. While a stronger battery helps for me that was not the root cause.
Peter
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Here's a previous thread on this topic - https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...2010-e550.html
My second starter recently began giving problems (car is now 11 years old, 125k miles, e550 NA), in this case it turned the engine over just fine but occasionally the engine wouldn't start. The starter is inexpensive (this time I bought with lifetime replacement) so I bought another and replaced it. The new one really kicks the engine over and it starts way better, I don't think the previous two starters were ever this good. While a stronger battery helps for me that was not the root cause.
Peter
My second starter recently began giving problems (car is now 11 years old, 125k miles, e550 NA), in this case it turned the engine over just fine but occasionally the engine wouldn't start. The starter is inexpensive (this time I bought with lifetime replacement) so I bought another and replaced it. The new one really kicks the engine over and it starts way better, I don't think the previous two starters were ever this good. While a stronger battery helps for me that was not the root cause.
Peter
The problem is the starter that robs too much amps when cranking the engine and there is not enough battery power left for the other needed functions to get the engine running.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
I’m having similar issue in my e550 coupe 2010. Every mechanic I ask says it can’t be the starter because a starter would not cause long crank it would just click. The dealer has no clue and keeps saying I need to put an mb brand battery in the car even though the battery is like 4 months old. The battery does read low voltage sometimes however but so did the previous battery. I am convinced it’s a bad starter because they put a remanufactured one in my car and this problem started shortly after. It gets progressively worse. But I am always able to get it to start by tapping the gas pedal during long cranking.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
I’m having similar issue in my e550 coupe 2010. Every mechanic I ask says it can’t be the starter because a starter would not cause long crank it would just click. The dealer has no clue and keeps saying I need to put an mb brand battery in the car even though the battery is like 4 months old. The battery does read low voltage sometimes however but so did the previous battery. I am convinced it’s a bad starter because they put a remanufactured one in my car and this problem started shortly after. It gets progressively worse. But I am always able to get it to start by tapping the gas pedal during long cranking.
I had long crank issues with my 2010 E550 and it all got fixed after I replaced the starter and yes, it cranked just fine with the faulty starter but had trouble firing up.
I probably mentioned in my earlier post how I replaced the battery twice before replacing the starter. Each battery change helped for few weeks until battery charge went down under the smart charging system in the car.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
Do a simple troubleshooting step. Charge the chattery full, I mean full or use another car with full battery running to jump yours and see if it makes a difference. If it starts better with totally full battery it most likely is the starter.
I had long crank issues with my 2010 E550 and it all got fixed after I replaced the starter and yes, it cranked just fine with the faulty starter but had trouble firing up.
I probably mentioned in my earlier post how I replaced the battery twice before replacing the starter. Each battery change helped for few weeks until battery charge went down under the smart charging system in the car.
I had long crank issues with my 2010 E550 and it all got fixed after I replaced the starter and yes, it cranked just fine with the faulty starter but had trouble firing up.
I probably mentioned in my earlier post how I replaced the battery twice before replacing the starter. Each battery change helped for few weeks until battery charge went down under the smart charging system in the car.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 377
Likes: 98
From: Savannah, GA
2010 W212 E550 4matic
Arrie is right, it's the starter. For mine I ordered a rebuild kit from the dealership (~$40) and repaired it myself. I cleaned the commutator surface with 600 grit sandpaper and the grooves with a pick, installed the new brushes and it made a huge difference in how the car starts. I had previously replaced the battery thinking it was the culprit but it turned out it was the starter all along.
It's been 2 years since I've done that and I have no issues, and I'm still using the old battery (3 years old now).
It's been 2 years since I've done that and I have no issues, and I'm still using the old battery (3 years old now).
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
Arrie is right, it's the starter. For mine I ordered a rebuild kit from the dealership (~$40) and repaired it myself. I cleaned the commutator surface with 600 grit sandpaper and the grooves with a pick, installed the new brushes and it made a huge difference in how the car starts. I had previously replaced the battery thinking it was the culprit but it turned out it was the starter all along.
It's been 2 years since I've done that and I have no issues, and I'm still using the old battery (3 years old now).
It's been 2 years since I've done that and I have no issues, and I'm still using the old battery (3 years old now).
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 377
Likes: 98
From: Savannah, GA
2010 W212 E550 4matic
I don't know of any procedure that would definitively point to a faulty starter. There might be a way to measure the resistance over the brush/commutator ensamble but I don't have reference values for comparison. You could measure the voltage drop when cranking, Amazon sells a few nifty tools which can test your battery capacity but also perform this measurement. I tried it on my Ford and saw that it drops to around 8V as the lowest value during cranking. It has a waveform function which does this. Mine is a Konnewei KW681. You could measure with 2 brand new batteries, if the drop is lower than 6V both times then you know the starter is drawing too much power during cranking and that's more likely your culprit. I can get a baseline on mine if you need one.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 28
2010 e550 coupe
I don't know of any procedure that would definitively point to a faulty starter. There might be a way to measure the resistance over the brush/commutator ensamble but I don't have reference values for comparison. You could measure the voltage drop when cranking, Amazon sells a few nifty tools which can test your battery capacity but also perform this measurement. I tried it on my Ford and saw that it drops to around 8V as the lowest value during cranking. It has a waveform function which does this. Mine is a Konnewei KW681. You could measure with 2 brand new batteries, if the drop is lower than 6V both times then you know the starter is drawing too much power during cranking and that's more likely your culprit. I can get a baseline on mine if you need one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Why would you need to prove your dealer anything? If your car is 2010 model it is not under their warranty so you will pay for the repair, right? Just tell them you want the starter replaced, period.
