Help Please - It's a non starter!

Keith Hatfield

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I would appreciate some advice from other learned forum members please.

I have an S500, 1999, V8. I left it on the drive for 5 days without starting and when I came to use it the thing was completely dead. Ah, I thought to myself, the battery is dead. However, when I put the Optimate on it, it was reading fine. However, I left the charger on overnight anyway but it made no difference. Absolutely nothing is working. I've got into the car via the manual key but the fob won't even turn in the key slot. The fob light is flashing when I press it so I assume it's not the fob batteries.

Has anyone any ideas as to what the problem might be please?

Many Thanks

Keith
 

Oldspanners

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Have you tried cleaning the battery terminals?
 

LostKiwi

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Have you tried your other key?
Also try pointing the key at the lock infrared window and see if that works (and try pushing the unlock button with the key in the ignition).

It won't be Alarm/immobiliser. More likely a bad key (if only 1) or a bad EIS (electronic ignition switch).
 
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Keith Hatfield

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Thanks for the swift responses. I have cleaned the battery terminals as suggested but unfortunately this has made no difference. I should add that the battery is only about 6 months old. Only 1 key, I'm afraid. I tried the suggestion of putting it in the ignition and pressing the button on the fob but no joy. Also put the key onto the infra-red window on the door handle but nothing doing.
 
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Oldspanners

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Thanks for the swift responses. I have cleaned the battery terminals as suggested but unfortunately this has made no difference. I should add that the battery is only about 6 months old. Only 1 key, I'm afraid. I tried the suggestion of putting it in the ignition and pressing the button on the fob but no joy. Also put the key onto the infra-red window on the door handle but nothing doing.
Is there any electric power in the car e.g. do the head lights turn on, the interior lights, or radio?
 

LostKiwi

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Check the big fuses in the fusebox. There's a 40A one and a few others.
 

Oldspanners

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Is there any electric power in the car e.g. do the head lights turn on, the interior lights, or radio?
Check if there is any corrosion around the main fuses, I'm not familiar with what type they are but if they are aluminum in brass holders they can corrode especially in wet weather!
 
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Keith Hatfield

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All fuses under the bonnet (both sides) removed, inspected and cleaned. Still not a sausage! I'm going to try jumping it from the battery terminals later with the battery still in place to see if that makes any difference.
 

Oldspanners

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All fuses under the bonnet (both sides) removed, inspected and cleaned. Still not a sausage! I'm going to try jumping it from the battery terminals later with the battery still in place to see if that makes any difference.
Check with a meter if there is any power at the main cable input to the fuse boxes.
 

Oldspanners

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All fuses under the bonnet (both sides) removed, inspected and cleaned. Still not a sausage! I'm going to try jumping it from the battery terminals later with the battery still in place to see if that makes any difference.
Just remember this, could this be your problem?
 
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Keith Hatfield

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Thanks for the video, very interesting. I do not think it's this as the car has not been jump-started and no airbags have ever been deployed. Also the car is a 1999, so I'm not sure it even has one of these modules.
 

Oldspanners

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Thanks for the video, very interesting. I do not think it's this as the car has not been jump-started and no airbags have ever been deployed. Also the car is a 1999, so I'm not sure it even has one of these modules.
I'm far from an expert on your car but there is some disconnection in the main power feed. From a bit of research they say there is a "battery junction fuse box" that is located in the passenger foot well and or the boot and has main fuses there. Again I'm not sure if it's the same for your car (W140?) but perhaps it will show in your owners manual.
Sorry not to be more precise but I think must be something simple like a main fuse.
 

peterws1957

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I'd also check the earth for the battery. Exactly the same happened to a friends car the main earth point was badly corroded.
 

DREAMER NO2

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That video is spot on , no power at all and it is all dead this is the part you need to replace .Nothing else in the car that can kill all electrical items like the SAM can.
 

Oldspanners

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That video is spot on , no power at all and it is all dead this is the part you need to replace .Nothing else in the car that can kill all electrical items like the SAM can.
I think that unit is the pre-fuse unit and not the SAM.
 

DREAMER NO2

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Yes i see now the sam might not be the problem after looking dee W220_Control_Module_Location_Diagram.JPG per in to it . Byut this may help in the location of the moduals
 

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DREAMER NO2

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Find the fuse box under passengers or drivers side carpet .It holds 3 or more fuses . Just found this post with problem same as yours .
 

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