ESL failure car is not starting
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
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Mercedes E 250 2010
ESL failure car is not starting
This is my second post for the same concern because no one responded to my concern,
my E 250,2010 was not starting, then the Mechanic diagnosed it as Steering Lock failure.
but I have some doubts about this, I hope this will help me.
The car is not starting with the ignition key and has no changes after inserting the key. but it starts when I remove the 7.5 fuse and re-insert power Fuse. but no way with the Car Key.
My main concern is, that the steering is not locked, which can be turned to right and left, I heard that in case of ESL failure Steering will be locked, but my steering is not locked, can anyone help me with this?
or it can be due to any error with Key ? car locking and unlocking is working fine with key
my E 250,2010 was not starting, then the Mechanic diagnosed it as Steering Lock failure.
but I have some doubts about this, I hope this will help me.
The car is not starting with the ignition key and has no changes after inserting the key. but it starts when I remove the 7.5 fuse and re-insert power Fuse. but no way with the Car Key.
My main concern is, that the steering is not locked, which can be turned to right and left, I heard that in case of ESL failure Steering will be locked, but my steering is not locked, can anyone help me with this?
or it can be due to any error with Key ? car locking and unlocking is working fine with key
Junior Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 52
Likes: 13
W212
Interesting thing you say about removing and placing back the fuse, wish I had tried that when my esl failed..
when the esl fails, it doesn’t mean that it will fail in locked position. It’s really up to chance, if it fails locked or unlocked. In my case, it was unlocked, and I was able to turn the steering wheel. Which also makes it a lot easier to remove the column and change the ESL.
but given your description, if you insert the key and absolutely nothing changes in the dashboard , then that’s a pretty sure sign the esl failed. Exactly this happened to me as well.
some people said that if you keep the key in the ignition and lightly(or somewhat harder) tap the steering wheel, maybe just maybe you will give the esl the necessary power to do its thing and let you start the car.
in any case, someone made this very detailed thread about changing the lock, so have a read. Also you can find a lot of videos or other threads about this issue
you have 3 options.
1. replace only the motor from the esl (which is the cheapest, but be careful to do it right)
2. Replace the esl and then reprogram the keys. (Quite expensive, but then in another 10 years or less it will fail again)
3. replace the esl with an emulator and reprogram keys (less expensive then replacing the esl with a new one but you won’t have to worry in the future about it failing)
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...lots-pics.html
when the esl fails, it doesn’t mean that it will fail in locked position. It’s really up to chance, if it fails locked or unlocked. In my case, it was unlocked, and I was able to turn the steering wheel. Which also makes it a lot easier to remove the column and change the ESL.
but given your description, if you insert the key and absolutely nothing changes in the dashboard , then that’s a pretty sure sign the esl failed. Exactly this happened to me as well.
some people said that if you keep the key in the ignition and lightly(or somewhat harder) tap the steering wheel, maybe just maybe you will give the esl the necessary power to do its thing and let you start the car.
in any case, someone made this very detailed thread about changing the lock, so have a read. Also you can find a lot of videos or other threads about this issue
you have 3 options.
1. replace only the motor from the esl (which is the cheapest, but be careful to do it right)
2. Replace the esl and then reprogram the keys. (Quite expensive, but then in another 10 years or less it will fail again)
3. replace the esl with an emulator and reprogram keys (less expensive then replacing the esl with a new one but you won’t have to worry in the future about it failing)
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...lots-pics.html
