Cold start stumbles
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Joined: Oct 2022
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GLK350
Cold start stumbles
My wife has a 2013 GLK350 with the gas engine. We've owned it for about 6 years now and the past year or two we've noticed that on starting the car when it is cold outside the engine would stumble and idle very low and roughly for about 10 seconds or so and then go to normal. Sometimes it would stall itself out and it would have to be restarted. It doesn't happen when we do errands and restart the car multiple times (engine still warm). I thought it was probably the spark plugs so I replaced them all - that was fun. This didn't solve it though. Does anyone have any insights on my problem? Thanks!
Edit:. I forgot to add that I have a Bluetooth OBDII reader and using the Torque App it revealed zero fault codes. The car also has no CEL. It does have an errant Driver's Side Corner Light out, and the Driver Assist isn't working, anndd the backup proximity "sonar" doesn't work. Oh, and occasionally it will say Aux Battery Malfunction, and the "hold" option, which I love, won't work. Not sure if that is involved but that's everything wrong with the car.
Edit:. I forgot to add that I have a Bluetooth OBDII reader and using the Torque App it revealed zero fault codes. The car also has no CEL. It does have an errant Driver's Side Corner Light out, and the Driver Assist isn't working, anndd the backup proximity "sonar" doesn't work. Oh, and occasionally it will say Aux Battery Malfunction, and the "hold" option, which I love, won't work. Not sure if that is involved but that's everything wrong with the car.
Last edited by SteveKing84; Oct 16, 2022 at 09:49 PM.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 87
Likes: 27
From: New York
2018 AMG GT S, 2016 E350, 2013 GLK350
I have a 2013 GLK350 which exhibited the same issue. I replaced the auxiliary battery (which I suggest you do) and then the primary battery and then with a Carly scanner, I pulled codes indicating the camshaft position sensors were failing. I replaced the cam sensors and the problem was solved.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2022
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GLK350
I have a 2013 GLK350 which exhibited the same issue. I replaced the auxiliary battery (which I suggest you do) and then the primary battery and then with a Carly scanner, I pulled codes indicating the camshaft position sensors were failing. I replaced the cam sensors and the problem was solved.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2022
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GLK350
I googled Carly Scanner. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it just looks like a bloated piece of OBDII software for people who don't understand error codes. Will this really show more useful info than my Bluetooth scanner? It'd be great if it could help me track down which sensor is dead and killing my blind spot and parking proximity systems.
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 87
Likes: 27
From: New York
2018 AMG GT S, 2016 E350, 2013 GLK350
SteveKing84, The short answer is yes. I'm a mechanical engineer and have been working on cars and motorbikes for over 50 years. I have purchased and discarded a number of code scanners through the years. I found Carly about five years ago and several years ago, they were purchased by a VC firm who have put in more development investment. I'm impressed with Carly. I purchased a lifetime license for all Mercdes and it has worked well on my 2001 SL500 (now sold), my 2014 E350 Estate (now sold), my wife's 2013 GLK350 and my 2018 AMG GTS. The Carly app reads a variety of Mercedes codes and provides an explanation of the code. As an example, my wife's 2013 GLK350 wouldn't shift out of Park into Drive. When I scanned the car, I learned it was the stalk assembly and not the servo that controls the shifts. The stalk assembly was about $675 and the servo assembly $2,500. I do ALL my own work on my Mercedes, my F-150 and two BMW motor bikes.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 10
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GLK350
SteveKing84, The short answer is yes. I'm a mechanical engineer and have been working on cars and motorbikes for over 50 years. I have purchased and discarded a number of code scanners through the years. I found Carly about five years ago and several years ago, they were purchased by a VC firm who have put in more development investment. I'm impressed with Carly. I purchased a lifetime license for all Mercdes and it has worked well on my 2001 SL500 (now sold), my 2014 E350 Estate (now sold), my wife's 2013 GLK350 and my 2018 AMG GTS. The Carly app reads a variety of Mercedes codes and provides an explanation of the code. As an example, my wife's 2013 GLK350 wouldn't shift out of Park into Drive. When I scanned the car, I learned it was the stalk assembly and not the servo that controls the shifts. The stalk assembly was about $675 and the servo assembly $2,500. I do ALL my own work on my Mercedes, my F-150 and two BMW motor bikes.
Ok, you sold me. I'll be ordering it up now. Can I use it on my other vehicle as well ('12 Jeep Wrangler), or does it code itself to one car? Hopefully it can help me fix the other issues I have with the GLK.
EDIT: Purchased Carly, now I'll just wait for reader to be delivered. Unless I can use the one I already have?
Last edited by SteveKing84; Oct 17, 2022 at 02:25 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2020
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
2013 GLK350 Canada
Aux battery message
A bad Aux battery in my '13 GLK350 made my brake hold, Eco Start, and other things not work. It's an easy change (in the trunk), best to use a battery with a vent tube like original in case the battery swells (yup, I already know about the safety bubble on it, they sometimes fail -seen it, and wouldn't want to breathe the fumes). It seems to cure a bunch of silly ills.
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Joined: Jun 2021
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
2014 Base GLK350 here ... have been getting the Aux Battery notice whenever I initially start it.
Initially , meaning, I run errands every 2-3 days, so GLK sits in garage otherwise. The first fire up, i turn key to on, then turn off ECO, then start the GLK ... within a minute, I see the Aux Battery message and dismiss it.
Subsequent starts (like when leaving the grocery store, etc), the Aux message never shows again.
It's my understanding the Aux battery is only there for the ECO system, which I disable at every start up.
The GLK runs great, with no side effects , as of seeing the Aux Battery notice, for about a month now.
Yea, I'll go get a new Aux battery soon, mostly to squelch the message on the dash.
Initially , meaning, I run errands every 2-3 days, so GLK sits in garage otherwise. The first fire up, i turn key to on, then turn off ECO, then start the GLK ... within a minute, I see the Aux Battery message and dismiss it.
Subsequent starts (like when leaving the grocery store, etc), the Aux message never shows again.
It's my understanding the Aux battery is only there for the ECO system, which I disable at every start up.
The GLK runs great, with no side effects , as of seeing the Aux Battery notice, for about a month now.
Yea, I'll go get a new Aux battery soon, mostly to squelch the message on the dash.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
GLK350
2014 Base GLK350 here ... have been getting the Aux Battery notice whenever I initially start it.
Initially , meaning, I run errands every 2-3 days, so GLK sits in garage otherwise. The first fire up, i turn key to on, then turn off ECO, then start the GLK ... within a minute, I see the Aux Battery message and dismiss it.
Subsequent starts (like when leaving the grocery store, etc), the Aux message never shows again.
It's my understanding the Aux battery is only there for the ECO system, which I disable at every start up.
The GLK runs great, with no side effects , as of seeing the Aux Battery notice, for about a month now.
Yea, I'll go get a new Aux battery soon, mostly to squelch the message on the dash.
Initially , meaning, I run errands every 2-3 days, so GLK sits in garage otherwise. The first fire up, i turn key to on, then turn off ECO, then start the GLK ... within a minute, I see the Aux Battery message and dismiss it.
Subsequent starts (like when leaving the grocery store, etc), the Aux message never shows again.
It's my understanding the Aux battery is only there for the ECO system, which I disable at every start up.
The GLK runs great, with no side effects , as of seeing the Aux Battery notice, for about a month now.
Yea, I'll go get a new Aux battery soon, mostly to squelch the message on the dash.
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,012
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Post #1, #2, #8, all mention the Aux Battery notice and mention side effects. I was just offering my [differing] experience with the Aux Battery notice and have yet to notice any side effects.
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GLK350
I've been in various forums and USENET for many many years. I did not attempt to hijack this thread.
Post #1, #2, #8, all mention the Aux Battery notice and mention side effects. I was just offering my [differing] experience with the Aux Battery notice and have yet to notice any side effects.
Post #1, #2, #8, all mention the Aux Battery notice and mention side effects. I was just offering my [differing] experience with the Aux Battery notice and have yet to notice any side effects.
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Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 8
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From: Ontario
2012 GLK350 4MATIC
At the risk of adding unnecessary information, I have a 2012 GLK 350 & every year (except this yr) when it starts to get cold my glk on a cold start would idle rough and the secondary air pump would make a louder than normal whine for about 10-15 seconds then stop and the RPM would lower. Also the CEL liked to come on during the colder days, but then turn off on the warmer days. Similarly to you my glk would have no issues once warmed up after/during errands. I had my mechanic look into it and he noticed that one of the check valves connected to the A.I.R. system was gunked up, he cleaned it but the problem was still there. After some research last year I had the mechanic replace the secondary air pump, both check valves (with flange and gaskets), and the shut-off valve in the A.I.R. system. It has helped me for now, I wonder if this is the issue you are having?
https://www.oregonmercedesparts.com/...--a-i-r-system
https://www.oregonmercedesparts.com/...--a-i-r-system
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 12
Likes: 5
From: Murfreesboro, TN
2015 Mercedes Benz GLK350
Back on issue
When I picked up my '15 GLK350 with 52k miles I also had a "shutter" while cold. It went away when warm, about a mile of driving and warming up. A good friend and mechanic made a suggestion that seems to have cured the issue. At each fill up, when it's at least 10 gallons of fuel, add 8oz of Marvel Mystery oil to the tank. I already had a gallon can and have been doing that for about 5k miles. I also always use non ethanol premium fuel. It was in the low 40's last night and even cold it ran smooth from the start. He and I agree that Direct Fuel Injection causes more problems than expected. Besides valve deposits that build up which the old style FI kept clean, the new injectors get gummed up and it needs the solution to clean them.
By the way, I had to replace the mini battery in the rear about six months ago and it in no way cleared up my stutter. I also changed plugs shortly after that and that didn't stop the shutter. The oil in the fuel and several thousand miles seem to have fixed mine.
By the way, I had to replace the mini battery in the rear about six months ago and it in no way cleared up my stutter. I also changed plugs shortly after that and that didn't stop the shutter. The oil in the fuel and several thousand miles seem to have fixed mine.
