Ajtaty

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

DrX

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.

Ajtaty

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

DrX

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.

Ajtaty

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?

DrX

Does your 2nd key start the car?

If the 1st key gives "start error", that means the code is out of synch with the ECM. It can't be reset. You should buy a new key ASAP.

Ajtaty

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. $$$

CGL1

Double check how the CAN box that came with the coil is plugged to the vehicle's harness. It's very easy to plug it backwards (upside down). There is no syncing involved.

DrX

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

DrX you're right, I haven't driven the ml in a year. Got tired of it going nowhere, so I sold it to a junk yard. I appreciate all the help you've provided. In the end RIP to my ML430

DrX

What, in the last week? Just last Thursday you were saying how you were trying to avoid the dealership.

You could have had it going for just a few $100, using some of the cash you haven't spent on gas in the last year. Oh well.

Chevdogg425

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?