Mercedes no crank no start

pcardin · 14-05-2021 06:37PM #1

Hi All, I have a '11 CLS 250 diesel (W218). Today went to the local shop to do some groceries, came out, got in the car - no start. :eek: Ignition key turns fine, all dash lights come up as should, but no crank, car wont start, not even attempt. No clicking noise either.

First I thought its a battery, but all lights, doors, boot, stereo, seats, everything works. Key is recognised by car (or at least so I think). No faults neither on dash nor car launch. Gearbox works. Very strange issue out of blue. Checked all the fuses, all perfect, had second key on me, same, so its not a key fob issue.

Now sitting, scratching my head outside the shop thinking what could be the issue realistically. I have this car for over a year and had no issues previously whatsoever.

Has anyone come across similar issue in the past maybe and if yes, what was the fix? Also, can anyone maybe recommend a good Mercedes specialist?

Atlantic Dawn · 14-05-2021 06:40PM

Starter motor would be next port of call. You could try a push start.

BlakeS94 · 14-05-2021 07:40PM

Could be ignition switch, wouldn't recommend a push start, and you won't be able to anyway if it's an automatic gearbox. Have you checked the starter relay? Check connections on battery terminals also

pcardin · 14-05-2021 09:01PM

BlakeS94 wrote: »

Could be ignition switch, wouldn't recommend a push start, and you won't be able to anyway if it's an automatic gearbox. Have you checked the starter relay? Check connections on battery terminals also

Yes, its an automatic. Starter relay is clicking, fuses are visually not broken. Battery terminals are clean and tight. Ignition is recognising car keys so I hope its not at fault. However, this is a very bizarre fault, came from nowhere, no previous warnings, nothing.

pcardin · 14-05-2021 09:02PM

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Starter motor would be next port of call. You could try a push start.

its an automatic though

BorneTobyWilde · 14-05-2021 09:05PM

You mustn't have it in ''Park''

Move lever a few times , then into park again.

pcardin · 14-05-2021 09:13PM

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

You mustn't have it in ''Park''

Move lever a few times , then into park again.

Did that. Went through all the gears, gearbox works fine and Park also works fine.

BorneTobyWilde · 14-05-2021 09:13PM

It it push button start

pcardin · 14-05-2021 09:15PM

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

It it push button start

Mine is without a pushbutton option. Standard Mercedes key

BorneTobyWilde · 14-05-2021 09:18PM

Try turning the steering wheel to the straight position

pcardin · 14-05-2021 09:28PM

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

Try turning the steering wheel to the straight position

Tried that too. Steering is straight. Interesting though that when key is out, wheel is not locking anymore.

BorneTobyWilde · 15-05-2021 02:08AM

Jump it, could be a volt issue

kirving · 15-05-2021 02:14AM

In my experience of a W212, the engine wouldn't even attempt to crank if the battery was a little low, but didn't necessarily give a symbol on the dash. To be perfectly honest, I'm guessing battery as it happened after sitting in the car with the key at Pos 2 with the lights, radio and fan on.

Got out of the car, locked it, and left it for 10 mins. Back in and away she went no issue. It was only a week or so later that the battery light came on (once) and was fine ever since, even in very cold weather.

pcardin · 15-05-2021 08:00AM

kirving wrote: »

In my experience of a W212, the engine wouldn't even attempt to crank if the battery was a little low, but didn't necessarily give a symbol on the dash. To be perfectly honest, I'm guessing battery as it happened after sitting in the car with the key at Pos 2 with the lights, radio and fan on.

Got out of the car, locked it, and left it for 10 mins. Back in and away she went no issue. It was only a week or so later that the battery light came on (once) and was fine ever since, even in very cold weather.

I tried to jump start but no luck. Will try to put in a different battery to see if it will start and report back later.

pcardin · 15-05-2021 05:37PM

Another day gone. Car still standing. Checked every fuse and every relay, checked battery, all sound. Even put in replacement battery (almost new one), no difference. Checked signals, it is clear that key fob, ignition, immobilizer, not at fault. Alternator is most likely dead. What surprises me is how ?! Was working perfectly all the time and not even a slightest hint it might fail.

Mercedes quality huh?!

Now I have 2 problems - where to find a tow hook (somehow bought mine without one), and where to tow it to? Can anyone recommend good garage maybe around Bray, Greystones, South DUB area?

hellyeah · 16-05-2021 09:49AM

Hills garage kilcoole are excellent imo. A little further out, just behind the circle k. Using them for years.

pcardin · 16-05-2021 10:51AM

hellyeah wrote: »

Hills garage kilcoole are excellent imo. A little further out, just behind the circle k. Using them for years.

thanks, I will check them out.

Esel · 16-05-2021 08:27PM

Terry Jackson, Shankill. Haven't used him in a good few years though. Expensive enough.

spiggotpaddy · 19-05-2021 06:33PM

Well OP any joy yet? Doubt its the alternator if you put a new battery in, it should crank away.

twofish101 · 19-05-2021 06:49PM

We have a C200 2010 manual and had exactly the same issue, The AA suggested Lock Doctor and they sorted it, the guy said its a very common fault on mercedes. It was the piece around the key, which reads the code on the key and then signals the engine to start. (bogmans description) It cost around €500.00 to fix but they came to where we had the car and it took a couple of hours to replace the parts.
hope this of help.

jmreire · 19-05-2021 06:57PM

pcardin wrote: »

Another day gone. Car still standing. Checked every fuse and every relay, checked battery, all sound. Even put in replacement battery (almost new one), no difference. Checked signals, it is clear that key fob, ignition, immobilizer, not at fault. Alternator is most likely dead. What surprises me is how ?! Was working perfectly all the time and not even a slightest hint it might fail. Mercedes quality huh?!

Now I have 2 problems - where to find a tow hook (somehow bought mine without one), and where to tow it to? Can anyone recommend good garage maybe around Bray, Greystones, South DUB area?

Dont even think about towing an automatic. What you really need is some one withan OBD reader, and check for stored fault codes.....otherwise you will be just fishing around in the dark. Whether its done on the side of the road, or in a workshop, a scan will be the first thing that needs to be done.

twofish101 · 19-05-2021 07:02PM

jmreire wrote: »

Dont even think about towing an automatic. What you really need is some one withan OBD reader, and check for stored fault codes.....otherwise you will be just fishing around in the dark. Whether its done on the side of the road, or in a workshop, a scan will be the first thing that needs to be done.

I agree about towing a dead car

I have an OBD reader and this error did not show when we scanned it after the AA dropped it off, also the AA lad had a full diagnostic setup which he plugged in and said the same no errors. Its not essentially an error its the key not being recognised as I understand it.

passatman86 · 19-05-2021 07:06PM

twofish101 wrote: »

We have a C200 2010 manual and had exactly the same issue, The AA suggested Lock Doctor and they sorted it, the guy said its a very common fault on mercedes. It was the piece around the key, which reads the code on the key and then signals the engine to start. (bogmans description) It cost around €500.00 to fix but they came to where we had the car and it took a couple of hours to replace the parts.
hope this of help.

Sounds like this
Ive seen a few very similar issues online

jmreire · 19-05-2021 07:12PM

twofish101 wrote: »

I agree about towing a dead car

I have an OBD reader and this error did not show when we scanned it after the AA dropped it off, also the AA lad had a full diagnostic setup which he plugged in and said the same no errors. Its not essentially an error its the key not being recognised as I understand it.

Could it have been the key battery was at fault? When a scan shows no fault codes, but there's still a problem, thats when personal experience of the mechanic kicks in. Main dealerships will normally be able to put their hand on it. ( but not always either) especially when its a common fault just by hearig a description of the problem.

greasepalm · 19-05-2021 07:20PM

Is there a second battery in car hidden?

pcardin · 19-05-2021 07:45PM

spiggotpaddy wrote: »

Well OP any joy yet? Doubt its the alternator if you put a new battery in, it should crank away.

Hi all, car is in garage. Dead starter motor. I have a picture sent by mechanic. Got a quote today , I hope it will be back on roads by the end of this week.

pcardin · 19-05-2021 07:46PM

greasepalm wrote: »

Is there a second battery in car hidden?

there is. These CLS have 2 batteries. But both are fine.

spiggotpaddy · 19-05-2021 08:12PM

pcardin wrote: »

Hi all, car is in garage. Dead starter motor. I have a picture sent by mechanic. Got a quote today , I hope it will be back on roads by the end of this week.

Not too bad, get one from a scrapper and all will be good. I thought it might have been the SAM but you shouldn't be bad with costs.

pcardin · 19-05-2021 08:36PM

spiggotpaddy wrote: »

Not too bad, get one from a scrapper and all will be good. I thought it might have been the SAM but you shouldn't be bad with costs.

i guess auto start-stop function has brought this starter motor to its end. Its a function I turn off every time but maybe previous owner was using daily.

I am getting a new starter motor fitted as anything from scrapper is a lotto. And getting to the starter in this car is a massive job.

jmreire · 20-05-2021 01:32AM

pcardin wrote: »

i guess auto start-stop function has brought this starter motor to its end. Its a function I turn off every time but maybe previous owner was using daily.

I am getting a new starter motor fitted as anything from scrapper is a lotto. And getting to the starter in this car is a massive job.

Yes starter motors and timing chains are at increased risk with constant stop / start use. I turn mine off as part of the standard list before driving... Get in Car, seat belt on, Start engine, turn off stop start, hand brake off, indicators on, check mirrors , indicate and drive on.
Strage that the scan did not show a code for the faulty starter...maybe he did not try the starter while the reader was plugged in? But glad you got it sorted anyway.

greasepalm · 20-05-2021 06:30PM

Never seen a fault error code in my life for a starter.

Mercedes no crank no start

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