Hmm..starter or ignition switch...
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
93 500 SEL, 92 MR2, 90 Eclipse
Hmm..starter or ignition switch...
hi everyone,
need your expert opinions on a rather puzzling matter
my car does not start randomly... but if i sit there and keep on trying the ignition key on and off after 10-15 min it starts. Meanwhile all idiot lights do come on and i can hear that loud key in the ignition buzzer, but when I click it to position 3 (starter), it just doesnt do anything)
basically there is no power going to the starter, battery is new, and when it does decide to crank after a little while, it starts with no difficulty...it feels as if the power wire going to the starter gets temporarily and randomly disconnected.
it doesnt matter if its hot/ or cold... sometimes it does it when its sitting overnight and sometimes *and this is quite embarrassing* it does it when i just shut it off to get gas, or go to a store, etc...
i try wiggling the key in case its a short in the actual ignition key module to no avail... feels almost like a bad starter solenoid.
any ideas as to what this is, and how i can troubleshoot? the problem is i cannot exactly go to a mechanic and ask him to fix it because it doesnt always do it... it does it on maybe 2 out of 40 occasions,..so once every week or so...
its a 93, 500 SEL by the way...
Thanks
need your expert opinions on a rather puzzling matter
my car does not start randomly... but if i sit there and keep on trying the ignition key on and off after 10-15 min it starts. Meanwhile all idiot lights do come on and i can hear that loud key in the ignition buzzer, but when I click it to position 3 (starter), it just doesnt do anything)
basically there is no power going to the starter, battery is new, and when it does decide to crank after a little while, it starts with no difficulty...it feels as if the power wire going to the starter gets temporarily and randomly disconnected.
it doesnt matter if its hot/ or cold... sometimes it does it when its sitting overnight and sometimes *and this is quite embarrassing* it does it when i just shut it off to get gas, or go to a store, etc...
i try wiggling the key in case its a short in the actual ignition key module to no avail... feels almost like a bad starter solenoid.
any ideas as to what this is, and how i can troubleshoot? the problem is i cannot exactly go to a mechanic and ask him to fix it because it doesnt always do it... it does it on maybe 2 out of 40 occasions,..so once every week or so...
its a 93, 500 SEL by the way...
Thanks
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
1995 S320V
starter
S-nik:
Start doing what is easy and cheap. First check your battery, haw old is it? Are the terminals clean, it is amazing how many problems are cured by making sure you are getting full battery power. If you disconect your battery you will need to re-enter your radio secret code again, so be sure you have that.
Barry
Start doing what is easy and cheap. First check your battery, haw old is it? Are the terminals clean, it is amazing how many problems are cured by making sure you are getting full battery power. If you disconect your battery you will need to re-enter your radio secret code again, so be sure you have that.
Barry
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
1995 S320V
starter
oops re-read your post and see that your battery in new. Still check it to see that the terminals were tightened- up securely, wouldn't be the first time that they have come loose, particularly if the battery in not held down securely, any movement will loosen- off the terminals eventualy.
Barry
Barry
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
93 500 SEL, 92 MR2, 90 Eclipse
Hi Barry, thank you for your reply.
Just went and checked the battery as per your suggestion. Terminals are nice and new as the battery is the original MB battery I bought about 3 weeks ago, connections are clean with no sign of corrosion, clamped very tight and battery body is secure.
I am thinking *maybe* its some kind of a starter solenoid thats faulty, and occasional interruptrions I am experiencing maybe telltale signs of it quitting on me sometime soon. Who said these cars dont talk to you,...hehe
Is there such a starter solenoid in our cars and if so is it built into the starter assembly or a seperate entity?
Thanks again for your suggestion though
Nik.
Just went and checked the battery as per your suggestion. Terminals are nice and new as the battery is the original MB battery I bought about 3 weeks ago, connections are clean with no sign of corrosion, clamped very tight and battery body is secure.
I am thinking *maybe* its some kind of a starter solenoid thats faulty, and occasional interruptrions I am experiencing maybe telltale signs of it quitting on me sometime soon. Who said these cars dont talk to you,...hehe
Is there such a starter solenoid in our cars and if so is it built into the starter assembly or a seperate entity?
Thanks again for your suggestion though
Nik.
Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
1995 S320V
starter
nik:Sorry I don't know enough about the MB starter solenoid to answer your question. European cars use Bosch electonic parts however. I recall having a solenoid problem with a Volvo Marine starter a few years ago. The price at the Volvo store was horendous. So i went to Automarine electric in Vancouver, and bought a rebuilt Bosch unit. It cost 1/10th as much and did the job very well.
Barry
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
96 S500 Coupe
yes, it was my alarm (ignition kill) that was interfereing.
i discovered that if i locked the doors with the remote/ and unlocked them... or if i locked and unlocked the door with the keys and tried starting it, it would start with no issues.
after doing that 2~3 times, problem disappeared last year and never happened since
i discovered that if i locked the doors with the remote/ and unlocked them... or if i locked and unlocked the door with the keys and tried starting it, it would start with no issues.
after doing that 2~3 times, problem disappeared last year and never happened since
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 713
Likes: 147
From: Aridzona
'15 S550, '10 E350 P1/P2, '02 ML320
Thank you for you responses!
I had replaced the NSS ( Neutral Safety Switch ) about a month ago. I think it may just be a bad ignition switch. I will let you know.
-D
I had replaced the NSS ( Neutral Safety Switch ) about a month ago. I think it may just be a bad ignition switch. I will let you know.
-D
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 409
Likes: 8
From: Bowie MD
2017 GLE350 4MATIC, 2009 ML350 4matic, 2005 4maticWAGON (sold), A Pre-facelift W210(sold)
dlafever,
how much does the NSS replacement cost?? My 96 E320 only starts 50% of time. Problem started last week. Will I be damaging anything if NOT changed ASAP.
thanks,
d2benz
how much does the NSS replacement cost?? My 96 E320 only starts 50% of time. Problem started last week. Will I be damaging anything if NOT changed ASAP.
thanks,
d2benz
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 713
Likes: 147
From: Aridzona
'15 S550, '10 E350 P1/P2, '02 ML320
The unit for my car was about $76 online. It is a fairly easy install if you want to do it yourself, but you will need to get under the car. I have not heard of a NSS damaging anything other than your ego when it fails. It usually quits at a most inopportune moment.
-D
-D
