S55 AMG - intermittent no start
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 30
Likes: 17
2004 S55 AMG
S55 AMG - intermittent no start
So things have been going great with the car, but lately I get in it after I’ve driven it, it won’t start….it won’t crank over. But after 1-3 key cycling times it fires up fine. All the lights come on there’s no check engine lights or any beeps or issues, it just doesn’t start - doesn’t crank. seems to only be doing it when it’s warm. So I’ve done some researching on here and it seems like there are a few things. First the crankshaft positions sensor. Mines been replaced already. It’s only 30 days old. The next step I think is the fuel pump. So I’m testing that to see if it works. I’ll update this thread, but any other suggestions please post up. Thank you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 367
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Does the battery sit on a tender? Is the battery healthy? You have the main 2 culprits but I can see a weak battery causing random issues. Good news is if it’s the fuel pumps it’ll degrade to where the problem is easily diagnosed. I had extended cranking, threw a CPS at it to no avail, maybe a year or 2 later, the fuel pumps showed themselves. No problem since. But I think you’ve read that somewhere already.
maw
maw
Last edited by maw1124; Jan 17, 2024 at 09:14 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 269
Likes: 93
From: Las Vegas, NV
2003 S55 AMG, 2005 C320 Coupe, 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave
The crank sensor should be a first-up maintenance item on any M113/M113k engine if you don't know the maintenance history....in my opinion anyway. It's cheap and relatively easy to change.
If you aren't aware of this, you can access a diagnostic menu from your climate controls to view your battery voltage. I watched the death of my alternator by doing this. This is how to do it:
If you aren't aware of this, you can access a diagnostic menu from your climate controls to view your battery voltage. I watched the death of my alternator by doing this. This is how to do it:
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 30
Likes: 17
2004 S55 AMG
Does the battery sit on a tender? Is the battery healthy? You have the main 2 culprits but I can see a weak battery causing random issues. Good news is if it’s the fuel pumps it’ll degrade to where the problem is easily diagnosed. I had extended cranking, threw a CPS at it to no avail, maybe a year or 2 later, the fuel pumps showed themselves. No problem since. But I think you’ve read that somewhere already.
maw
maw
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 367
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
GL,
maw
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 30
Likes: 17
2004 S55 AMG
OK - so we have diagnosed it as the EIS - Electronic Ignition Switch - all roads lead to that, and i am taking it out today. Found this company that rebuilds or replaces them....costly, but I think it is worth it because there is no alternative. It would just keep getting progressively worse and leave me stranded somewhere I am sure. Aparetnly, there is also a way to fix it if you are good at soldering, if of course the issue is the little module inside...see the youtube video below.
https://mbzexperts.com/product/merce...ice-w220-w215/
https://mbzexperts.com/product/merce...ice-w220-w215/
Last edited by FL_S55AMG; Jan 22, 2024 at 09:28 AM.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 367
'06 MB S55 AMG; '04 Audi Allroad 4.2; '05 BMW M3 Conv.; '92 MB 500E
Those folks don't seem to support the S55. These guys might ... https://www.lacartech.com/products/w...31269996003422
GL
maw
GL
maw
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 201
Likes: 32
From: Encinitas, So-Cal
Had it go on my clk and just sold it as it was an extra car we didn’t need
if EIS goes on my S55 I’d love to know a shop that can do the rebuild
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 30
Likes: 17
2004 S55 AMG
Yep - it is expensive - i can tell you that they do NOT rebuild the EIS for 2004 vehicles, it is VIN# specific....apparently Motorola produced a number of variants (4 exactly) over the period the S55 was produced, and only one of those variants can be rebuilt....rebuild is approx $500 cheaper. I did have a 2nd key coded and supplied...all in for a NEW EIS and coding and second key was $1,500. But it is in, and works wonderfully at this point - no issues....both keys work.
