SL/R230 no starter sounds - MBWorld.org Forums

Oct 18, 2019 | 08:47 PM

poptopclk

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 72

Likes: 19

From: 33004

2017 X166 GLS550 & (R230) SL550 2007 & 2012 S550

no starter sounds

Drove home fine yesterday, today all of a sudden no starter not even a click . Dash lights up normal and both batteries 12+ volts.
Shifter shows P or N when moved, foot on brake, key or keyless, starter does nothing.
Disconnected both batteries & after 1 minute reconnected no change. I'm out of ideas...

Oct 18, 2019 | 09:59 PM

Speed750

Member

Joined: Sep 2019

Posts: 77

Likes: 10

2005 SL500

How many miles on the car ? No security codes showing or anti theft lights ? Maybe see if an independent shop can jump off the starter.

That's all I got.

Oct 18, 2019 | 10:15 PM

PaulE550

Super Member

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 842

Likes: 64

From: Northern NJ

2015 E550 Coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by poptopclk

Sounds like the starter failed. The dash will light up, but the engine won't crank.

Oct 19, 2019 | 12:08 AM

SublimeZ

Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 21

Likes: 4

From: DeepInTheHearta, Texas

2008 SL550

Quote:

Originally Posted by poptopclk

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulE550

Sounds like the starter failed. The dash will light up, but the engine won't crank.

Exact same symptoms last Friday, starter was toast

Oct 19, 2019 | 08:38 AM

poppyboy

Senior Member

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 280

Likes: 37

From: Lincolnshire, IL

2005 SL55 AMG

Agree that the starter appears to need replacement.

Oct 19, 2019 | 11:36 AM

bobterry99

Banned

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,982

Likes: 393

From: Atlanta, unfortunately

'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55

Quote:

Originally Posted by poptopclk

Drove home fine yesterday, today all of a sudden no starter not even a click.

This could be a faulty starter. It could also be a faulty ignition switch, starter relay, or engine management controller.

I'd first discern whether or not the starter relay is energizing when the ignition key is turned. The starter relay is among several relays in the passenger-side fuse box. You can tell if it is energizing by listening for an audible "click".

If the relay is energizing, next I would check the voltage on the starter motor; if it isn't, then I would check the I'd first discern whether or not the starter relay is energizing when the ignition key is turned. The starter relay is among several relays in the passenger-side fuse box. You can tell if it is energizing by listening for an audible "click".

If the relay is energizing, next I would check the voltage on the starter motor; if it isn't, then I would suspect the ignition switch and investigate further with Star Diagnosis.

Oct 21, 2019 | 12:20 PM

Rudeney

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Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 10,782

Likes: 1,011

NO LONGER ACTIVE

Bobterry's advice it good. I will say that I usually start this sort of diagnosis at the power leads on the starter solenoid. If they get voltage when turning the key to start, then it's definitely the starter. If not, then I go back up the chain to the relay and the fuse. Of course starting at the solenoid mean lifting the car, so some people will check the relay and fuse first since they are easier to access.

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Oct 28, 2019 | 03:18 PM

Rudeney

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Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 10,782

Likes: 1,011

NO LONGER ACTIVE

On an SL550, it's very easy. It just unbolts and drops out.

Nov 23, 2019 | 08:20 PM

#10

Glen1972

Junior Member

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 19

Likes: 0

2003 sl500

I had same problem and belive it or not cleaned battery terminals and lugs on starter battery and everything perfect since

Nov 24, 2019 | 04:25 AM

#11

Frederick NL

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Joined: Mar 2018

Posts: 1,442

Likes: 260

From: Netherlands

2005 R 230 SL350 (M112 3.7). Sold the 1966 W113 230SL recently

I do believe. Were the terminals/lugs visibly contaminated, or did you have to detach them to find gunk on the contact surfaces only? I’m asking, to learn something about preventive inspection/maintenance...

Nov 24, 2019 | 07:05 AM

#12

Glen1972

Junior Member

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 19

Likes: 0

2003 sl500

Honestly they did not even look dirty to me but I had nothing on key other then dash lights . Battery tested fine but only way I could get car to swing was booster pac . Didn’t make sense .so even though terminals didn’t look bad I went ahead a cleaned them anyhow and then it cranked no problem on its own with no booster pac. I should add before I cleaned any thing I did check to make sure terminals were tight and they were and that’s why I thought to try cleaning them even thought they didn’t look dirty . The car was sitting for along period of time .