Another Wierd Ignition Problem - Everyone Stumped
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Washington State
2000 clk 320 cabriolet
Another Wierd Ignition Problem - Everyone Stumped
Dealing with the CLK320 Cab w/ 155K.
Intermittent problem with the ignition. Turn ignition on and key goes all the way - column unlocks; all lights light; doorlocks work; heater, headlights work; dashboard looks and sounds normal in running mode; top fully functional; windows fully functional; gearshift works as it should. Everything fires up except the starter doesn't turn over. Sometimes it'll give a little hesitation before turning over. Sometimes it'll turn over on the second or third turn of the key. Lately it'll flat not start with no warning. I've been left stranded twice in the last two days. When I let it set for a couple of hours it fires right up as if nothing has happened. It never fails to start in the morning thus giving me a false sense of security.
This problem actually reared its head a year or two ago, then it goes away for up to several months. I finally took it to the stealership late last summer. They couldn't pinpoint a definite problem, but said the key was the likely culprit. $400 later (diagnostic time, key, and re-programming) I had a new one. The problem went away until last week when the same damned problem reared its ugly, debilitating head.
Yes, I've had the starter wiring checked and all is good. No codes thrown (per independent mech. and stealership). Battery is fully charged.
This one has everyone stumped. One thought I had is that it's temperature related (outside temp). It's been 80-90 degrees F for the last few days and I've had the top down. It was giving me fits last summer. The humidity is relatively dry (I'm not in Houston or Savannah).
Has anyone else seen or heard of this one? Am I looking at a new ignition switch? Brake switch? Something else?
Thanks for your response.
Intermittent problem with the ignition. Turn ignition on and key goes all the way - column unlocks; all lights light; doorlocks work; heater, headlights work; dashboard looks and sounds normal in running mode; top fully functional; windows fully functional; gearshift works as it should. Everything fires up except the starter doesn't turn over. Sometimes it'll give a little hesitation before turning over. Sometimes it'll turn over on the second or third turn of the key. Lately it'll flat not start with no warning. I've been left stranded twice in the last two days. When I let it set for a couple of hours it fires right up as if nothing has happened. It never fails to start in the morning thus giving me a false sense of security.
This problem actually reared its head a year or two ago, then it goes away for up to several months. I finally took it to the stealership late last summer. They couldn't pinpoint a definite problem, but said the key was the likely culprit. $400 later (diagnostic time, key, and re-programming) I had a new one. The problem went away until last week when the same damned problem reared its ugly, debilitating head.
Yes, I've had the starter wiring checked and all is good. No codes thrown (per independent mech. and stealership). Battery is fully charged.
This one has everyone stumped. One thought I had is that it's temperature related (outside temp). It's been 80-90 degrees F for the last few days and I've had the top down. It was giving me fits last summer. The humidity is relatively dry (I'm not in Houston or Savannah).
Has anyone else seen or heard of this one? Am I looking at a new ignition switch? Brake switch? Something else?
Thanks for your response.
SPONSOR
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 62
From: Harbor City, CA
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, MINI and more!
Answer
Hmm.
Replace the brake switch, it is a cheap and easy DIY.
My concern would be the SAM module MB# 2085450132
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...50132&x=12&y=6
and/or
K40 relay MB# 0005400072
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...0072&x=42&y=10
Other possible causes:
* ECM failing
* Alarm module failing
whunter@pelicanparts.com
.
Replace the brake switch, it is a cheap and easy DIY.
My concern would be the SAM module MB# 2085450132
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...50132&x=12&y=6
and/or
K40 relay MB# 0005400072
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...0072&x=42&y=10
Other possible causes:
* ECM failing
* Alarm module failing
whunter@pelicanparts.com
.
SPONSOR
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,081
Likes: 62
From: Harbor City, CA
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, MINI and more!
Hmm
He clearly states: Everything fires up except the starter doesn't turn over.
Neither of those sensors effect the starter.
whunter@pelicanparts.com
.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2002 CLK 320 convetable
Key wont turn
I have the same issue with my 2002 CLK320, key wont turn, steering locked. I replaced fuse #27 and the steering was unlocked and the car started. i was very happy for a minute until I tried it again and it wont unlock again, replace the fuse again and this time it would not unlock. any idea?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Dealing with the CLK320 Cab w/ 155K.
Intermittent problem with the ignition. Turn ignition on and key goes all the way - column unlocks; all lights light; doorlocks work; heater, headlights work; dashboard looks and sounds normal in running mode; top fully functional; windows fully functional; gearshift works as it should. Everything fires up except the starter doesn't turn over. Sometimes it'll give a little hesitation before turning over. Sometimes it'll turn over on the second or third turn of the key. Lately it'll flat not start with no warning. I've been left stranded twice in the last two days. When I let it set for a couple of hours it fires right up as if nothing has happened. It never fails to start in the morning thus giving me a false sense of security.
This problem actually reared its head a year or two ago, then it goes away for up to several months. I finally took it to the stealership late last summer. They couldn't pinpoint a definite problem, but said the key was the likely culprit. $400 later (diagnostic time, key, and re-programming) I had a new one. The problem went away until last week when the same damned problem reared its ugly, debilitating head.
Yes, I've had the starter wiring checked and all is good. No codes thrown (per independent mech. and stealership). Battery is fully charged.
This one has everyone stumped. One thought I had is that it's temperature related (outside temp). It's been 80-90 degrees F for the last few days and I've had the top down. It was giving me fits last summer. The humidity is relatively dry (I'm not in Houston or Savannah).
Has anyone else seen or heard of this one? Am I looking at a new ignition switch? Brake switch? Something else?
Thanks for your response.
Intermittent problem with the ignition. Turn ignition on and key goes all the way - column unlocks; all lights light; doorlocks work; heater, headlights work; dashboard looks and sounds normal in running mode; top fully functional; windows fully functional; gearshift works as it should. Everything fires up except the starter doesn't turn over. Sometimes it'll give a little hesitation before turning over. Sometimes it'll turn over on the second or third turn of the key. Lately it'll flat not start with no warning. I've been left stranded twice in the last two days. When I let it set for a couple of hours it fires right up as if nothing has happened. It never fails to start in the morning thus giving me a false sense of security.
This problem actually reared its head a year or two ago, then it goes away for up to several months. I finally took it to the stealership late last summer. They couldn't pinpoint a definite problem, but said the key was the likely culprit. $400 later (diagnostic time, key, and re-programming) I had a new one. The problem went away until last week when the same damned problem reared its ugly, debilitating head.
Yes, I've had the starter wiring checked and all is good. No codes thrown (per independent mech. and stealership). Battery is fully charged.
This one has everyone stumped. One thought I had is that it's temperature related (outside temp). It's been 80-90 degrees F for the last few days and I've had the top down. It was giving me fits last summer. The humidity is relatively dry (I'm not in Houston or Savannah).
Has anyone else seen or heard of this one? Am I looking at a new ignition switch? Brake switch? Something else?
Thanks for your response.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Washington State
2000 clk 320 cabriolet
Hey, Guys:
This thread was started before I started another one in the W208 forum. This one really should have been cancelled or otherwise finished.
Here's the link to that W208 thread. It has a pretty thorough discussion and history from both myself and others regarding this problem: https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...stumped-2.html
Thanks for your input and again, sorry for the confusion.
Bye the way, after I did replace the trans shifter five months ago with a used part, the problem has reared its ugly head again. A new part is on its way.
This thread was started before I started another one in the W208 forum. This one really should have been cancelled or otherwise finished.
Here's the link to that W208 thread. It has a pretty thorough discussion and history from both myself and others regarding this problem: https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...stumped-2.html
Thanks for your input and again, sorry for the confusion.
Bye the way, after I did replace the trans shifter five months ago with a used part, the problem has reared its ugly head again. A new part is on its way.
