Here I have my ML320. Rough around the edges but always a great car. Been sitting about 3 years at my buddy’s garage, now it’s spent about 6 months in my driveway.




so far it’s gotten a fresh fuel pump and starter. When I start it she fires right up, and then dies immediately. As far as I can tell based on the symptoms, it’s the immobilizer kicking in. So now I’ve ordered a used but tested key receiver to see if I can get it fired up without getting a new key from Mercedes (50$ to try vs 400$ to get keys after tow fees)

 

GL. keep us posted.

btw, did you perform any scan at all? And if so, any saved codes?

 

It sat for so many years any codes would have been long gone. None are generated in the moments it fires up. All the lights on the dash come on at once. I have scanned it to reveal no stored or pending codes. A buddy who works with an auction house was telling me on the old Mercedes that was a telling sign of the immobilizer activating. Everything I've found points to that as well. I can even rev the car slightly before it dies so I know once I figure out the immobilizer I'll be good to go. I have an original key which worked when the car was parked (they stopped fixing it when the fuel pump went due to everyone in the family having new vehicles). For now I'm really hoping its just the receiver.

Ive also assumed its the immobilizer due to the door locks do not work, as well as the windows. From what I read the immobilizer shuts these off but I also could be wrong. I've checked all the fuses and they all look good. I've considered replacing all of the relays in the fuse box just for good measure, but that also could give me some crazy nonsense if any come DOA.

Also, I've replaced the lift gate struts. At 20$ for the pair, it was worth the investment to not have it smack me in the back of the head.

 

Looks great. Keep posting your journey.