2000 ML430 "start error" HELP PLEASE
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2000 ml430
2000 ML430 "start error" HELP PLEASE
My beloved 00 ml430 suddenly stopped starting. Maybe 2 weeks ago I needed to jump start the battery (out of nowhere) But for the next 2 weeks it ran and started fine. Now the car starts and cuts off after 1-2 seconds and I get a "start error" code on my screen. Tried a second key with the same result. Can anyone please help a fellow MBer
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 282
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2002 ML320, 2003 A160
You should never jumpstart, and this is why. In future, disconnect the battery ground (negative) cable, charge the battery, then reconnect.
You may have fried the immobilizer control module (also known as the "transponder coil" which comes as as assembly with the control module), which reads and transmits the codes to your DAS module. Or you have fried the DAS module itself. In the absence of codes, it is better to replace the former first.
Welcome to the forum.
You may have fried the immobilizer control module (also known as the "transponder coil" which comes as as assembly with the control module), which reads and transmits the codes to your DAS module. Or you have fried the DAS module itself. In the absence of codes, it is better to replace the former first.
Welcome to the forum.
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2000 ml430
DrX thanks for the response. That chart should help me greatly. If I knew then what I know now I would've looked up first before jump starting. I'm going to follow the chart and hopefully come to a solution
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 282
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2002 ML320, 2003 A160
You're welcome.
Your keys don't both go bad at the same time. There's something wrong with the system that reads and validates the codes in the keys.
A dealer fix is the fastest way to get your car going again. But don't let them sell you new keys, or a new ECU.
Your keys don't both go bad at the same time. There's something wrong with the system that reads and validates the codes in the keys.
A dealer fix is the fastest way to get your car going again. But don't let them sell you new keys, or a new ECU.
Last edited by DrX; Sep 11, 2013 at 10:35 PM.
Thread Starter
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2000 ml430
DrX it's been a while and I greatly appreciate all of your help. I check the resistance of the old transponder coil and got no reading. I purchased another for a local junk yard and got a 5ohm reading. Now my question is, is it possible to reset the error read out?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 282
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2002 ML320, 2003 A160
Thread Starter
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2000 ml430
Dr.x The second also gave "start error" readout. Turned out the transponder coil went bad. Tried replacing with a used coil from a junk yard. But I'm not sure if I have to sync the coil with the system or not because I still get the start error code. Trying as much as possible to avoid going to the dealership. $$$
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'05 ML350 SE
Dr.x The second also gave "start error" readout. Turned out the transponder coil went bad. Tried replacing with a used coil from a junk yard. But I'm not sure if I have to sync the coil with the system or not because I still get the start error code. Trying as much as possible to avoid going to the dealership. $$$
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 282
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2002 ML320, 2003 A160
Apart from the 4-month delay in responding to my question, there is no evidence that your ML has been driven at any time in the past year. Unless the used transponder coil worked for a few months before it killed your 2nd key.
Ajtaty, what's been happening?
If the 2nd key was working for a while, and you didn't replace the 1st key, you should have.
Ajtaty, what's been happening?
If the 2nd key was working for a while, and you didn't replace the 1st key, you should have.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 282
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From: Brisbane, Australia
2002 ML320, 2003 A160
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2021
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2003 ML 350
Hey I know it's an old thread but i'm having this exact same issue with my 2003 ml350. I had to replace the radiator fans and disconnected the positive lead to my battery before doing so now im in the same "start error "cycle. Should I try bypassing the immobilizer first?
