key turns but no power to start engine.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2005
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From: East of I-287 South
01 ML55, 91 Supra Turbo, 05 Audi S4
key turns but no power to start engine.
Friend has a 2000 s500 that wont' start, has power for lights, horn etc, odometer etc..even lights when opening door, but when he inserts the key and turns it to start the car nothing happens, key will turn but there is no pre-ignition lights or power to start engine???????
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From: SoCal OC
S, GL, Escalade ESV, my shoes
Friend has a 2000 s500 that wont' start, has power for lights, horn etc, odometer etc..even lights when opening door, but when he inserts the key and turns it to start the car nothing happens, key will turn but there is no pre-ignition lights or power to start engine???????
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2
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S600
I had a similar problem with my 2001 S600..I was told that it could be the shift knob or stick. apparently it has a switch inside that determines if vehicle is in gear or parked....so I make sure before I turn off vehicle that the shift knob is fully in park...try it!
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
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HEY IM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 2000 S500. ITS AT THE SHOP GETTING PAINTED KANDY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN NO CRANK NO NOTHING, EVERYTHING POWERS UP, BUT NO START, CHECKED ALL RELAYS ALL GOOD, STARTER IS GOOD TOO. WAT CAN BE THE PROBLEM ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WONT CRANK?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 470
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From: Houston, TX
2017 S63
The symptoms of a bad crankshaft position sensor is when the car cranks but the engine will not fire up. This crank and no start happens when you disconnect the crank sensor, and the same connector is pulled to perform a compression test. It sounds like he can't even crank it.
Last edited by jnash; Jun 25, 2012 at 01:38 AM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 20
From: Houston, TX
2017 S63
Friend has a 2000 s500 that wont' start, has power for lights, horn etc, odometer etc..even lights when opening door, but when he inserts the key and turns it to start the car nothing happens, key will turn but there is no pre-ignition lights or power to start engine???????
This switch is a theft relevant part that is married to your car. Your only option for a failed EIS is to have the dealer order you a new one and they will insist based on MBUSA policy that they also have to fit it for you. There is no other option for a EIS failure.
Although, I am not 100% sure that's what the problem is until you have had it verified. You really need to get it on STAR diagnostics and find out what if it can see the EIS or if it reports any errors with the EIS module (ignition switch). If it passes a quick test its OK.
With the ignition on, can you get the transmission out of park and into other gears? Have you checked the brake switch? It's a common failure, a cheap part and easy to change.
[EDIT] come to think of it...IF your key turns past ignition on, and into the spring-loaded Start position, the EIS has authorized the key. Otherwise it will not turn to the Start position. That doesn't rule out the EIS just yet, but that is a good sign that it's not a authorization issue within the EIS
When you solve this, please let us all know what it was - thanks
Last edited by jnash; Jun 25, 2012 at 12:33 AM.
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
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2000 S430
RE: "With the ignition on, can you get the transmission out of park and into other gears? Have you checked the brake switch?"
Are these questions pointing to a brake switch if you are able to change gears with the ignition on or are they unrelated.
I am having this issue. (no action when trying to turn over despite all electronics showing when key inserted in ignition). I am able to change gears.
Thank you for any assistance.
Are these questions pointing to a brake switch if you are able to change gears with the ignition on or are they unrelated.
I am having this issue. (no action when trying to turn over despite all electronics showing when key inserted in ignition). I am able to change gears.
Thank you for any assistance.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2000 S430
You are right of course. The reason I've not suspected that at all, and which was not previously mentioned, is that the vehicle electrical, just prior to not starting, went haywire in mid drive.
- Moving down the road already at full speed and all possible errors began flashing on the dash and vehicle began to struggle. I pulled over and turned the vehicle off. Since then no luck starting.
I will test the battery to rule it out for certain and post the results. In the meantime, if the additional information triggers any thoughts in anyone, please do share your inclinations or experiences.
- Moving down the road already at full speed and all possible errors began flashing on the dash and vehicle began to struggle. I pulled over and turned the vehicle off. Since then no luck starting.
I will test the battery to rule it out for certain and post the results. In the meantime, if the additional information triggers any thoughts in anyone, please do share your inclinations or experiences.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
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Mercedes
A fresh one is 13.2
Now that you mention you had electrical haywire during driving points more to weak battery.
Batteries that "test good" can still be too weak for a w220, it has a very very finicky electrical system and needs much more power than most cars.
Testing a battery means nothing on an s class. The only test is a fresh battery install.
Now that you mention you had electrical haywire during driving points more to weak battery.
Batteries that "test good" can still be too weak for a w220, it has a very very finicky electrical system and needs much more power than most cars.
Testing a battery means nothing on an s class. The only test is a fresh battery install.
Last edited by tusabes; Jul 12, 2012 at 10:45 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 4
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2000 S430
Well I believe you are thinking of a new or fully charged battery being tested while the vehicle is running and there is juice going to it. In which case you'd be right.
Regardless. Gave a new battery a shot, but as suspected, no difference.
The 12V battery by itself, even new, didn't provide 13+V.
Any ideas from the community on causes outside of the battery?
Regardless. Gave a new battery a shot, but as suspected, no difference.
The 12V battery by itself, even new, didn't provide 13+V.
Any ideas from the community on causes outside of the battery?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 401
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From: Ontario, Canada
MB 2003 S600. Volvo 2003 XC70.
Always see people report different battery reading, so I went out and checked:
- No key, no light: 12.5v
- Cranking during engine start: above 10v
- After engine start, charging, idle: 13.9v
- Charging, rev up: locked at 14v
Above reading are from MFD and multimeter.
I never get reading around 13v without charging.
Many occasions my battery got lower than 12v and restarted normal. Never has symptom of electronic issue.
My battery is few years old and at least died twice during lengthened repair process.
Jump, battery to battery, never has any issue after. I mean two points:
- Died battery, of cause not preferred, can be restored then used for quite a long time without electronic issue;
- Jump start w220, battery back to back, no problem, won't damage electronics;
fyi, I believe my battery is in good condition.
- No key, no light: 12.5v
- Cranking during engine start: above 10v
- After engine start, charging, idle: 13.9v
- Charging, rev up: locked at 14v
Above reading are from MFD and multimeter.
I never get reading around 13v without charging.
Many occasions my battery got lower than 12v and restarted normal. Never has symptom of electronic issue.
My battery is few years old and at least died twice during lengthened repair process.
Jump, battery to battery, never has any issue after. I mean two points:
- Died battery, of cause not preferred, can be restored then used for quite a long time without electronic issue;
- Jump start w220, battery back to back, no problem, won't damage electronics;
fyi, I believe my battery is in good condition.
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
87 560sl
Key Turns No Power To Start
My 03 S500 4matic was starting fine no problems at all. Then with in minutes nothing. I turned the key and it just turned. No display on the dash, cannot move the gear shift. My lights, seats, radio, trunk, and locks work. My windows won't work. When I hooked up the diagnostic it would not read. There is no power to the ignition. Please help!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 20
From: Houston, TX
2017 S63
When you say diagnostics are you using star diagnostics or are you using some other non-Mercedes system?
If you are using Star and you still can't communicate it's likely to be the EIS which is your ignition switch. It's a dealer install only part.
Star communicates into the EIS on a separate diagnostic wire from the Obd socket.
If you are using Star and you still can't communicate it's likely to be the EIS which is your ignition switch. It's a dealer install only part.
Star communicates into the EIS on a separate diagnostic wire from the Obd socket.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 20
From: Houston, TX
2017 S63
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 470
Likes: 20
From: Houston, TX
2017 S63
I'm am surprised the instrument cluster doesn't light up since it too should when you unlock the doors etc.
You can search the forums for star and ask if any member has it in your area. Or goto the dealer. Or buy it. Google it.
