I just came back from a 600 miles trip and my "engine start" button is no longer in working condition. I have keyless go. I can open and lock the door fine without pressing the lock/unlock button on my key. However, I cant start the car by pushing the "engine start" button. Does anyone have any idea why my "engine start" button is not working? BTW, the car starts fine if I do it in the traditional way.
Thank you!!!

Do you get the Key Not Recognized error on the instrument cluster? Or just a no start condition?

Make sure your foot is on the brake when you press the button.

My foot is set on the brake. I check the manual and it says that the battery might be low. They recommended that after a few tries and the car doesn't start still then I need to take it in to the "stealership".

I do not get the message "key is not recognized".

Anyone else have any idea to why it is not working? Thanks a bunch!!!

I occasionally get in the car and my keyless go doesn't work right off the bat, but I get a error on the display saying key not recognized. I think the battery in my fob is dying, which could also explain why sometimes the keyless go entry to the car doesn't always work on the first try.

If you're not getting that message, I think maybe a switch related to the engine start button may be malfunctioning? I wish I knew how the circuit for the keyless go worked, then it would be pretty simple to figure out where the fault lies.

It can't be the key's battery because I replaced it not too long ago. Well, let me try to switch out another one to see if the problem still occurs. I think there is a malfunction in the start button like you said. Thank you for your input. I'm greatly appreciated. :-)

sounds like the engine start button is either bad or has become disconnected...

If that is the case, how do I disassemble the gear level to check out the "engine start button"....anyone? Thanks

Hi,
you have a wire between the button and the module for the transmission.
I think this is broken.

You can see it, if you remove the cover from the shifter.

How can I removed the cover from the shifter?

super old thread yes I know, but wondering if you ever figured it out. I have the same issue which just started yesterday

Take a small flathead screwdriver and pry the button off the shifter. Comes off easily. Then take a couple inches of electrical wire and connect the contacts on the shifter. If it starts, your knob is acting up. If it doesnt and you get no error messages on the dash you probably have a broken wire in the shifter module. theres a DIY on it here

here is a step by step

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...re-broken.html

Well you're kinda in the wrong sub-forum as you just have a regular W211, not an AMG. Anyway, keyless go is the same. It's probably either the door handles or the antenna. Usually it's the door handles. You should get a code scanner that can read MB specific codes like an Autel Diaglink which is on Amazon for about $100. That might help narrow down the problem to a bad door handle or bad antenna. If the button doesn't work, there's usually a wire that's broken and there are many other threads about that in this forum and in the w211 forum. You should also try the button on the other door handles, if it locks but doesn't unlock, then it's probably just a bad door handle. They always go bad after a while. They did a better job designing them in the W212, more of a sensor than an actual button that can get water in it and corrode. The keyless go door handles aren't cheap, they're about $200+ each. You can get used ones, but that just means they will fail quicker.

Your door handle issue is a common one and you'll need to replace the door handles. I'd pull the shifter knob off and check for any broken wires. There's a retaining ring thing that needs to be turned 90° IIRC before the knob will come off. If that's not it then it could be a bad button. If the car has the stop/start button on the shifter it's already programmed for it (providing someone didn't just stick that shift knob on it).