SL/R230: New to me 2007 SL550, cranks but will not start.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
SL550
New to me 2007 SL550, cranks but will not start.
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
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
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 449
Likes: 129
From: Melbourne Florida
SL500
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.
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
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
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 622
Likes: 211
From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 449
Likes: 129
From: Melbourne Florida
SL500
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 520
Likes: 203
From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
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.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 102
Likes: 64
2009 SL550
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
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 622
Likes: 211
From: My house
SL55AMG, GL450, SLK, S550, Maserati Coupe
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.
