pktrusty

I have a 2011 Mercedes S53 with about 74k miles on it. I was driving yesterday, stopped at a grocery store and when I came back out it wouldn't start. My key fob works and the dash, stereo and fan work. I popped off the stop button and tried to use the key with no success. I can hear the fuel pump kick on for a second but no life from the starter. I thought it might be a dead primary battery at first but tried a jump and no change. The steering was locked but when I put it in N to flat bed home, it became unlocked. When it goes back into park, it is still locked.

My questions is as follows. 1.) Its likely not the battery right? I should have gotten some life from a jump. 2.) I am going to go check the starter fuse and relay this morning. Never had a relay go bad but I suppose there is a chance. I will check voltage at the starter end to make sure I am getting power. Does this model have issue with the steering lock problem I have read about? What are the chances this is a ignition? How would I test it out?

Thank you in advance.

pktrusty

I am assuming it isn't a brake switch or neutral switch since I can shift into and out of neutral.

pktrusty

Pulled the battery out. Say on my charger at 15A for two and a half hours before it showed complete. Checked my fuses on the driver side and in the engine bay all but one 15A was ok. Changed out 15A, nothing changed.

When I hit the start button. I assume it is my fuel pump priming. It is a hummmm for about 2-3 seconds. Then nothing. It was 109 out today so the rest will have to wait till I get a day off.

What is the box that attaches to the battery hold down? The little box on the negative terminal and connects to the positive terminal via small wire is a shunt?

what is the small box that has the 40A fuse and two 15A fuses that connects right in front of the battery?

anyone recommend a place to get a service manual?

sorry for the bad video. That is the fuel pump priming right?

chassis

@pktrusty Sorry to hear. How much searching of this site have you done? I see you joined in June 2021, so you may be learning the layout of the site and its features.

There isn't much that hasn't been covered in detail on this site. Try posting in the main W221 section and also the S-Class AMG sections, where owners will see your post.

When did you last replace the battery? There are likely two batteries on this vehicle, the main starting battery and an auxiliary battery that manages gear selection. On a 2011 vehicle, both batteries should have been replaced at least once, and possibly twice, by now.

pktrusty

I did post something similar but the searching I have done leads to a lot of questions that were never answered.

My battery got charged to 13V last night again with no hit of a starter. It is a Mercedes battery but I don’t see a date on it like a aftermarket battery generally has. I changed my axillary battery like a month ago. I will probably try to jump the starter tonight to see if it actually works. Most times I have had a starter go bad, I have it make noise. This time, nothing. It would be nice if I could get parts locally for half the price like on rock auto. Instead I will order and wait.

I am going to pickup my OBDII scanner tonight and see if it is throwing any codes. No warning lights on the dash.

chassis

@pktrusty when did you last change the main (starting) battery?

pktrusty

I have never changed it. I bought it in June. I don’t see any date scratch offs to not date of install like a aftermarket unless I am missing something. If this battery lasted 10 years, then it is the best battery ever.

mine is the 95 AH battery. How many amps is the starter fuse? I charged the battery to 13.0 V and nothing on the starter. I would have expected something from the starter.

pktrusty

At this point, I would be happy with a crank. I am getting nothing.

chassis

Replace the main battery, it could be 10 years old and rules out a likely candidate.

Jim Ma

If it is an MB Battery the date of production is stamped in the top of the negative lead terminal on the battery. First 2 numbers will be the week and the next 2 numbers will be the year.

pktrusty

03/21. Likely not the battery then.

pktrusty

I live in a place that discourages working on vehicles in the parking lot so I wanted to rule things out before I changed the starter. Checked the fuses, batteries and tested the starter relays. I ended up coming across a starter from a junk yard that allowed me to confirm it was the starter before spending money on a new one. I can confirm it was the problem. I have never had one die before and not make a sound. Tried jumping it before I pulled it out and nothing.