S55 AMG, S65 AMG , S63 AMG (W220, W221) 2001 - 2013 (Two Generations)

2003 S55 amg

Old Jul 4, 2019 | 12:39 AM
  #1  
Ben.martin14's Avatar
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1999 Mercedes Benz e320
2003 S55 amg

Hello everyone I would really like some help on this interesting problem I’m having. So I bought this 2003 s55 amg about a week ago and it runs amazing and looks almost brand new. Yesterday I took it to run a few errands and when I got home I realized I forgot something. When I went back to my car and tried to turn it on the key would not turn so I could start the car. I kept trying to turn it and eventually got it to start and no check engine light came on or anything. Once I finally got it on my ac wouldn’t turn on my windows would roll down or any of the seats would move back or forth. I checked all the fuses and nothing was blown, I tried disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and nothing worked. The only thing coming up on the dash was the SRS defect symbol telling me to go to the workshop. Can anyone point me to any ideas on what the problem is? I’m new to this sight so if you see this and want to contact me please email me at
bennavy1367@gmail.com
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Old Jul 4, 2019 | 09:15 AM
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Welcome! Please post a photo of the S55.

Key not turning sounds unrelated to the other things you listed. Are you familiar with how the steering wheel can sometimes cause the ignition key to not turn? On many vehicles the steering wheel needs to be fiddled with, in cases where the ignition key appears not to want to turn. There is a mechanical interlock that can get bound up in certain conditions.

With a 2003 vehicle, if the battery is original/factory, it is time to replace it. Even if you are not sure if the battery has been replaced, replace it. Batteries are normal wear/tear items. For the W220 S-Class this is in the trunk, I believe. Try posting your question in the W220 forum and you will immediately get good answers from W220 owners. This vehicle does not appear to have a second, auxiliary, battery, but check this with the W220 crowd.
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Old Jul 4, 2019 | 09:48 AM
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bone stock E55 AMG
moved to W220 AMG forum...
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Old Jul 4, 2019 | 09:24 PM
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These things behave very badly with low voltage. If the battery is not up to snuff, things like this are almost the norm.

There are also a lot of pieces that have to be re-initialized when the battery dies or is replaced, like synchronizing the windows, initialing the steering sensor for ESP, and I don't even know how many other things.

Synchronizing the windows (and sun roof) lets the auto-open and -close function of the switches work. Initializing the steering sensor is just turning the wheel all the way each direction after turning the car on.

Basically, on these cars, disconnecting the battery is not a troubleshooting step or something you reset things with. The only reason to disconnect a battery is to replace it.
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Old Jul 5, 2019 | 10:05 PM
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'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
All sounds like battery and re-initializing to me...

maw
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