DSRT BENZ

Earlier this week I purchased a mint condition cherry red SL550 with 89,000 miles from the 2nd owner. The previous owner stated that the car was used infrequently (3rd car in a 2 person household) so the starter battery (the one under the hood) had gone dead from lack of use. He had it replaced just last month.

I have been driving the car for a couple of days now and already put 250+ miles on it, including a 150 mile round trip yesterday. The car always started up and ran just fine for me over the last couple of days, however this morning I went to start it and it would crank fine but does not fire.

I have checked the battery voltage (12.7V) and tried connecting it to another vehicle to give it some extra juice, but this has had 0 impact on the no start condition.

Does anyone have any ideas on where to look before I have to tow it to the dealer during my fist week of ownership

Gene Fiorot

Well mine is a 2004 SL500 and I experienced the same issue. After I tried starting it 5 times then calling for a tow truck the car started. So off to the indy with the dash now saying check engine. The code revealed a error with the Crankshaft Position Sensor. I am told the car engine will stop at anytime with this condition. I do not know if that is true. I was also told a little dirt can interrupt the sensor as it is only a magnetic type. Anyway it gets a new sensor. But while searching for a new sensor I see they also sell the plug and wires to splice in to the harness. I wonder if being on top of the engine that plug deteriorates needing replacement often.

pmercury

iTrader: (2)

Dealers can sell and do what they want if you can't do a proper diagnostic before yourself

tonylinc

I wouldn't have a mercedes if I had to trust a dealer to fix it. You need an independent mechanic who knows all about these cars, or a honest foreign car shop locally that knows these cars and also whom you can trust. I'm lucky to have both, a shop locally owned more than 30 years they know all about Benzos and they like having a business with a good reputation more than ripping people off so they don't overcharge you, and they hope their customers will return. ThenIi have a guy who worked in the army on everything they have that's got wheels, so he can still learn with crazy Benzos but is pretty good. A dealership is there to rob you and steal the floor mats out of your car. Trust me, I know. With a no start issue like that first codes would tell you what's up but very often the issue is caused by a bad crank position sensor which is a pretty cheap part.

Gene Fiorot

This is the key to managing an SL500. Going in Knowing Worth its weight in Gold! And helpful for your Indy with limited MB experience.

MBCO

This is the perfect opportunity to invest in mbstar das system. For barely more than the towing charge and dealer diagnostics charges, you could buy a high quality, dealer level diagnostic and solution system. Avoid Chinese crap, many forum members including me have been fooled. Know before you go. It pays. And do the work your self and save more.

Gene Fiorot

I am building a system with Peter. For me the only way to go.

vkovaler888

You will not be disappointed!!! Peter built me the system a few months ago and now I am on a totally different level of my SL ownership, his experience is priceless.

Symme

Ever get a resolutuion to your crank but no start. I have been struggling with this same issue

Gene Fiorot

Did you change the Crank Sensor?

Symme

No error codes

Gene Fiorot

What equipment did you use to come to that conclusion?

Symme

FIXD

Gene Fiorot

OK wanna tell us what the problem was???

Symme

Fixd is a diagnosis module and showed no issues after aux battery was replaced. Two days later the crank but no start began after being gone about a month

Gene Fiorot

I do not think the aux battery has anything to do with the car starting. FIXD I do not know its capabilities but a good Autel unit diagnosed my car with a crank sensor problem.

tonylinc

Starter battery does that and only that. Trunk battery does everything else. Crank sensor is the first thing to look at if a car will crank but not start. I had a volvo 850 turbo, that ran perfect but when I'd get back to the car after shopping or eating at a restaurant it would refuse to start. It was SO inconvenient, to come out of a restaurant with my friends only to find we were stranded! And that car did that a bunch of times. I'm sure that was the reason the guy I bought the car from, sold it. This was back in the old days before I knew much about cars. I happened to go to a wrecking yard with a buddy and we came upon a volvo just like mine that was dismantled to the point that you could see and easily remove the crank sensor, now I knew what it was and where it was located. I think I paid five bucks for that crank sensor, LoL. Got home and replaced the one on my volvo, and it never again refused to start. It may even be a good idea to replace a crank sensor before it acts up, as cheap insurance, although almost nobody will do this. I've done so much on my R230 that what's the difference, next time in the shop I think I may have the guys do it.

Gene Fiorot

After reading about FIXD Many think it is not that good at all. So it can only be worse in an SL is my take.