Help! Wont Start and stuck in Park!

[SRE]

I dropped the SL500 (R230) off for it's MOT the other day. At lunch time I got a call from the garage saying that they had got in it to take it into the testing bay and it wouldn't start. The car had been running fine and always starts immediately so wasn't sure what the problem could be but grabbed the spare key and headed over. Sure enough, everything worked exactly as it should have until you switch on the ignition and then you receive ABS and ESP "Display Malfunction" fault warnings. Turning the key does nothing and the starter doesn't even attempt to spin. Same thing happened with the spare key (including in keyless mode) and after a few attempts we also noticed that the cooling fan was coming on and running at full blast. The garage tried plugging in their diagnostic machine but couldn't get it to communicate with the car (Its not STAR as they are not a Mercedes specialist - I was only taking it for an MOT).

The car is stuck in Park and I remembered something about faulty brake light switches causing this to happen so I checked with a friend who confirmed that the brake light switch would produce the ABS and ESP faults so returned to the garage armed with a new switch, confident in the belief that this would be a 5 minute fix and I would eventually get it MOT'd. Unfortunately, swapping out the switch made no difference and the car is still sitting on their forecourt, locked in Park!

The voltage on both batteries is ok and I did wonder about the Gear Selector not registering that it is in Park but pushing it hard to the right produces a "Put selector in Park" warning on the dash which disappears when you release it. The Garage has tried more than one Diagnostic machine on the OBD port but none have managed to talk to the Merc.

I am at a loss as what to do next. There is of course the very slight chance that the new brake light switch was faulty but even then, I doubt that would explain the fan or the diagnostic port problems. Having recently moved to the area, I have yet to find a local Mercedes specialist but it looks like I will need to find one fast. Then I just have to solve the problem of getting it there!

Any suggestions will be gratefully received.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Your problem is in the selector .A small plastic quadrant breaks off inside .Removal and replace is the only way to repair it You can purchase a metal quadrant to replace the broken mercedes part . see this on youtube ----- Mercedes Shifter 200- S230- S500 SL55- CL50 Repair S class Service

 

[SRE]

I considered the "broken quadrant" problem but listening carefully, I can't hear the solenoid trying to unlock it when pressing the brake pedal and this wouldn't, from my understanding, explain the other problems (ESP, ABS, Fan, OBD Port). It is, I am sure an electrical problem somewhere and being locked in Park is just a symptom.

 

[ajlsl600]

Terrible, a supposed quality car, boys in mot center must be cracking up! Think if I still had my v doz I would have to bypass that as just another ill thought out thing from Benz, unless yr the pts supplier. The number of things Benz, prob others as well, fit to our cars that costs us ££££££ and untold inconvenience is getting to the point that a relaxing run in a 10yr old Benz is becoming a thing of the past more chance in a 25 yr old benz

 

[SRE]

I'm not sure they find it that funny... I'm quite sure they are fed up with it being in the way already! Like most things, it is great when it is working (which it had been with no problems) but they are just so damned complicated - there's too much that can go wrong. Long gone are the days when most things could be fixed with either a screwdriver (flat blade) or a big hammer

If it was sat at home I would just work my way through it slowly and methodically. Checking all fuses, testing circuits etc. but stuck some miles away, out on the garage forecourt and with other more pressing things taking my time, its not so easy.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

You might understand it more if you visit youtube on the info i posted up .It wont do anything if the plastic quadrant is broken inside and the electric help might be operating right it but can not carry through the shift sequence if the part is broken .

 

[SRE]

Thanks Dreamer, I had checked out some of the youtube stuff and have just watched the one you posted. They all seem to apply to a car that starts ok but wont shift. My engine isn't turning over (or even attempting to).

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Now this puts the ball in another part of the ball park . Tell the owner of tin pall ally garage ,, it came in, in good running condtion and they are now responsible for it .Looks like trailering it out to the dealers and get a star check .

 

[SRE]

OK, I just found a circuit diagram for the internal layout of the 6 pin brake light switch and have tested the original that I swapped out and all is ok so I guess the next move is to get over there tomorrow and go through all the fuses.

 

[Oldspanners]

OK, I just found a circuit diagram for the internal layout of the 6 pin brake light switch and have tested the original that I swapped out and all is ok so I guess the next move is to get over there tomorrow and go through all the fuses.

Have a look at this video a bit detailed but most of the same problems you have, go to about 38.00 mins to see the fuse box problem. Good luck.

 

[flowrider]

I'm not sure they find it that funny... I'm quite sure they are fed up with it being in the way already! Like most things, it is great when it is working (which it had been with no problems) but they are just so damned complicated - there's too much that can go wrong. Long gone are the days when most things could be fixed with either a screwdriver (flat blade) or a big hammer

If it was sat at home I would just work my way through it slowly and methodically. Checking all fuses, testing circuits etc. but stuck some miles away, out on the garage forecourt and with other more pressing things taking my time, its not so easy.

I presume you have breakdown cover so call them and have the car recovered. You can then work on the car at your leisure.

 

[SRE]

Thanks for that. Interesting viewing and does look similar to my problem. I will definitely be pulling all the fuses and making sure there is a good contact.

 

[SRE]

I presume you have breakdown cover so call them and have the car recovered. You can then work on the car at your leisure.

Not sure how we would get it onto and across the gravel drive while locked in Park so was hoping to avoid that option if possible.

 

[Oldspanners]

Thanks for that. Interesting viewing and does look similar to my problem. I will definitely be pulling all the fuses and making sure there is a good contact.

Take the fuse box out and check for corrosion at the back as there may be a few fuse holders affected. The non-start and inability to connect a scan tool would seem to be the ECU and TCU not powered.

 

[flowrider]

Not sure how we would get it onto and across the gravel drive while locked in Park so was hoping to avoid that option if possible.

The recovery company will have a way.

 

[EmilysDad]

The recovery company will have a way.

I believe there are freewheeling hubs around for this very situation ....
Also .... while waiting outside Mercedes for my lift home, a recovery firm was just loading a remote controled 'lift' back into a curtain sided flatbed. Apparently it was a well used bit of kit especially when cars were stuck in park in multistorey car parks where it was difficult to get a recovery vehicle nearby. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos

 

[lordgaz]

Take the fuse box out and check for corrosion at the back as there may be a few fuse holders affected. The non-start and inability to connect a scan tool would seem to be the ECU and TCU not powered.

I agree with this statement - I had exactly the same issue on my S-Class W220 S320 - Key in, all lights, but no start - fan going crazy - Fried ECU - (I took out the ECU and it was visibly damaged by water when I opened it up) - I think I posted something on here about the solution... I'll try and find the link

Edit: Found it - Have a look here: https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/no-ecu-after-flat-battery.178484/

 

[SRE]

I'm hoping it's not a fried ECU - That's way beyond my capability and I daren't think what a replacement will cost me. On Monday I checked out all the fuses and fuse boxes. Everything seemed fine and there is no sign of water ingress/damage anywhere or any corrosion. I decided it was time to get the car to a Merc specialist and using the specialist finder on here, discovered Auto Technic who were a short distance away. The car, still stuck in Park, has been delivered there yesterday and I now await their findings.

 

[lordgaz]

Ok - A replacement ECU will be prohibitive cost I fear - But if it is determined to be the ECU, and you have nothing else to lose, I could possibly help.

 

[lordgaz]

any update on your problem @SRE ?