S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

MY KEYS WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION!?

Old Sep 30, 2020 | 02:29 AM
  #1  
W220BossDon's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
W220
MY KEYS WILL NOT TURN IN IGNITION!?

I drive a 2001 S430. When I put my keys in the ignition, it will not turn. The steering wheel will come down, the dash is lit up with all lights, but refuses to move from the “1” position in the ignition. Furthermore, when I remove the keys, the gauges do not turn off, and I can hear the blower motor running(I think it’s the blower motor). I’ve been disconnecting my battery in between times I’m not messing with the car due to this issue. Also the steering wheel is not locked in place, even though the car is in park and battery disconnected. HELP ME PLEASE!!??
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2020 | 03:25 AM
  #2  
tusabes's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 533
Mercedes
Did it work before fine and is this a new problem or did you get the car with the problem ?

most often it’s a weak battery . Or else it’s the ignition switch which you can’t swap unless you change 4 parts - key shifter ignition switch and ecu from a donor car
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2020 | 03:29 AM
  #3  
W220BossDon's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
W220
Originally Posted by tusabes
Did it work before fine and is this a new problem or did you get the car with the problem ?

most often it’s a weak battery . Or else it’s the ignition switch which you can’t swap unless you change 4 parts - key shifter ignition switch and ecu from a donor car
it did work before fine. I had this issue one time before because my battery was dead. I got a jump and subsequently a new battery and was fine. Then the problem came back a few weeks later after driving the car regularly.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2020 | 09:45 AM
  #4  
wallyp's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Some possibilities:
Loose or faulty battery connection. Check the positive connection and both ends of the ground/earth cable for cleanliness and tightness.
Corroded or loose connection on one of the major primary fuses. One is behind the trunk lining just forward of the battery - it usually doesn't cause a problem, but you need to be aware that it exists. The main possible problem area is under an aluminum cover under the front passenger carpet. If the reed valve at the bottom of the HVAC inlet plenum under the hood gets plugged from debris, water can overflow into the car under the carpet. There will be no visible sign of water! You need to pull the carpet and all padding up and check for any signs of water or corrosion. If you have traces of water or corrosion, you must take care of it, or you will have major problems.

As tubsades says, there are other possibilities - the only way to really see what is going on is to get the car connected to one of the Mercedes diagnostic systems, either at a dealership or at a good independent shop whaic has the system and knows how to use it.
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2020 | 09:47 AM
  #5  
W220BossDon's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
W220
Originally Posted by wallyp
Some possibilities:
Loose or faulty battery connection. Check the positive connection and both ends of the ground/earth cable for cleanliness and tightness.
Corroded or loose connection on one of the major primary fuses. One is behind the trunk lining just forward of the battery - it usually doesn't cause a problem, but you need to be aware that it exists. The main possible problem area is under an aluminum cover under the front passenger carpet. If the reed valve at the bottom of the HVAC inlet plenum under the hood gets plugged from debris, water can overflow into the car under the carpet. There will be no visible sign of water! You need to pull the carpet and all padding up and check for any signs of water or corrosion. If you have traces of water or corrosion, you must take care of it, or you will have major problems.

As tubsades says, there are other possibilities - the only way to really see what is going on is to get the car connected to one of the Mercedes diagnostic systems, either at a dealership or at a good independent shop whaic has the system and knows how to use it.
thanks, I’m going outside to mess with the car now
Reply
Old Sep 30, 2020 | 02:26 PM
  #6  
tusabes's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 533
Mercedes
Originally Posted by W220BossDon
it did work before fine. I had this issue one time before because my battery was dead. I got a jump and subsequently a new battery and was fine. Then the problem came back a few weeks later after driving the car regularly.
maybe your car is not charging your battery and it’s weak again
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2020 | 10:50 AM
  #7  
W220BossDon's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
W220
Originally Posted by wallyp
Some possibilities:
Loose or faulty battery connection. Check the positive connection and both ends of the ground/earth cable for cleanliness and tightness.
Corroded or loose connection on one of the major primary fuses. One is behind the trunk lining just forward of the battery - it usually doesn't cause a problem, but you need to be aware that it exists. The main possible problem area is under an aluminum cover under the front passenger carpet. If the reed valve at the bottom of the HVAC inlet plenum under the hood gets plugged from debris, water can overflow into the car under the carpet. There will be no visible sign of water! You need to pull the carpet and all padding up and check for any signs of water or corrosion. If you have traces of water or corrosion, you must take care of it, or you will have major problems.

As tubsades says, there are other possibilities - the only way to really see what is going on is to get the car connected to one of the Mercedes diagnostic systems, either at a dealership or at a good independent shop whaic has the system and knows how to use it.
I think it may be the ground wire. I got it to start and drive perfectly by messing with the wires, but I can’t replicate what I did.
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2020 | 01:16 PM
  #8  
Kebowers47's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 96
From: Houston
001 s600, 94 sl600
I strongly suggest you remove, clean and treat ALL the ground wire connections to everything. Use Stabilant-22 to treat the connections--it is by far the best treatment to use.Good parts stores can order it or you can order it online (Stabilant -22)
I once drove a 1964 VW-Bug back and forth to college (72 mile RT)-4 years, and in the third year at the beginning of fall semester--it acted like a dead battery, but battery tested full, but nothing anywhere in the car. I kicked the bumper--and it would then start and was fine for a few days--then again, and repeating at more frequent intervals,
I began checking all the connections---and found the flat stranded wire battery ground cable, which look pristine and as-new, was 'attached ON_TOP' of the good black anti-corrosion paint and the attaching bolt had been the ground path until it got corroded. I cleaned the paint off and never had that problem again. BTW, the oh-so-weak 6- 'volt headlights and 'high power 'Driving Lights' were significantly brighter then. The lights were finally bright enough to see safely at highway speeds!
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 9, 2020 | 01:06 AM
  #9  
W220BossDon's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
W220
GOT IT!!

After checking all SAM units to no avail, I looked at the footwell on the passenger side. Upon inspection, the plug to the upper most right was loose. When I disconnect it, the volts drop from 14.6 to 13.6 but it starts up and drives perfectly. If I connect it, it goes back to the ignition not working and dash staying on. What is this wire and how do fix this issue??
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2020 | 02:07 AM
  #10  
tusabes's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 533
Mercedes
These wires go to your pre fuses , your fuse block under the wires probably got water damaged
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2020 | 02:10 AM
  #11  
W220BossDon's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
W220
Originally Posted by tusabes
These wires go to your pre fuses , your fuse block under the wires probably got water damaged
The red wire there to the top right is exactly what I’m talking about. There doesn’t seem to be any water damage to the car anywhere. When I plug it in, it sparks a little, but idk if that’s normal.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:16 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE