Audrey1123

2000ML starts fine for days and then out of the blue wont start, takes maybe 6 to 10 trys and it starts. Starter has been replaced, made no difference. Now in shop, starts every time. Has anyone had this problem or have any suggestions?

C43AMG

CPS - Crank Position Sensor.

mbtech76034

lol. crank position sensors generally open the circuit when it is hot. check your rear sam (this is generally a problem on 203's but can happen on other models. find the relay for you fuel pump. they have a tendency to pull to much amperage and destryo the contacts. if you can catch it early you may just need a fule pump. catch it lat and you need a rear sam and wire repair kit.

Gullwing

Does it crank at all or does it do nothing?
Do you see start error in the IC?

Could be AAM or EAM, I have not seen many/any SAM issues on W163s

mbtech76034

you won't "see" any errors. you have to pull the rear sam apart in order to check for the problem. judging by the opening thread the vehicle does crank. and for the record i've repaired a rear sam on a 163 a few months ago for this very problem. there is a new fuel pump to rectify the overdraw

Gullwing

When the AAM goes bad the mileage display changes to "start error" and the car will not crank. So if it does crank, it probably is not the AAM.

Don't think I ever dealt with the rear sam on a W163. I had to replace the rear sam on a W164 because the right rear tail light shorted it out.

I never pulled apart a sam to find a problem

mbtech76034

your just looking at the connections not tearing it apart. there is a dtb out for the 164's brake light shorting out. corrosion was causing the bulb not to be able to ground out correctly on the assembly. the new bulb comes wired with a seperate ground lead to connect to a body ground.

Gullwing

There was a problem with the power connector at the bulb moving so the power connected straight to ground.

mbtech76034

on a 164? must have been a small # of affected vehicles.

hcetzneb

mbtech a 163 dosent have a rear sam???? or any sam at all all the lighting a multi function curcuits are handled in the EAM or AAM on these cars... and also the fuel pump relay on the 163 is in the front fuse box up to around 01 and in the right kick panel after that and i have never seen the contacts loosen on those....

getting back to the op you have mentioned you replaced the starter???? so should we assume that when your car is acting up it dosent crank over / engine isnt turning???

If thats the case the your not getting power to to the starter....

hcetzneb

If you get a START ERROR in the cluster and your keys are ok... its not your AAM. DAS or drive authoration system is a separte module that is located inside the EMA. 90% of the time that ive seen the START ERROR its the das module which can be replaced separtely... somtimes when the das goes bad it will fry the EAM.. But also remeber that when the das goes bad its not intermintant like the op is stating .. When they go bad there done

Gullwing

Good I didn't think it did, I'm not crazy.

CLLARK1

I had a similar problem however on mine the starter circuit cut out and the engine would not turn over.I noticed when I had this problem the tach jumped all the way to the right.Their is a bulletin on this starter circuit cut out.You have to apply a thin coat of never seize to the ring gear in order to keep the starter circuit from picking up a false reading that the engine has started.

MBSamurai

Rear SAM?! Rear SAM On a 163?! Are you people serious? You are all clueless.
Next thing you know they will be telling you to check your AdBlue level, maybe that is causing it!!! Or your blinker fluid!

CLLARK1

Read the MB TSB dated February 2 2009 TIP START CYCLE PRIOR TO ENGINE STARTING.