2008 S204 C220Cdi, ?EIS or ESL Failure, HELP!!

[Chrishazle]

Our S204 is stuck on the driveway and will not start. Checking the battery, conditioner shows orange which is normally enough to start the car, meter shows battery voltage 12.27V and zero milliamp drain, doors and tailgate open OK, dashboard lights up, lights come on, but keying the ignition there's nothing with either key, no clunk as the ESL unlocks and no starter motor. Tried the steering, it's locked. Thankfully we have the SLK so are not trapped carless, but what do I need to do with the C220??

TIA for any help.

 

[Chrishazle]

One suggestion on t'other side was to unlock the steering wheel adjuster and slam the wheel in and out a few times, first timI did it I slammed the wheel up and down and nothing happened, just tried again slamming the wheel in and out and all of a sudden everything came back to life, car started, everything appears to be back to normal. Confused.com!!

 

[Uncle Benz]

That was me

 

[Chrishazle]

Thanks Uncle Benz, just replied on t'other side!

 

[Wighty]

Thanks Uncle Benz, just replied on t'other side!

I thought they were twins , one of them on each side

 

[tpn]

From my post of 26th April

That is the lock I would think. With the key inserted rock the steering from side to side. It may release. Try banging the steering column low down.

If it does release I would then disconnect the battery. It is much easer to remove the unit in an unlocked state.
I replaced one over a year ago. I got the motor off Amazon for £6.00.
I
basically replaced the cheap Chinese Mercedes installed motor with another cheap Chinese motor.

Bit of work lying on the back to get it off, otherwise easy enough.

The state of the battery in the key is not relevant.
You can also get an emulator but it needs to be coded and may impact on your insurance.

Dead ignition

Just put key into ignition, and nothing! No “click” when the car recognises they key, and when key is turned nothing at all. Battery ok, car locks and unlocks on the key. I suspect the EIS unit, but not sure what else it could be. Any ideas anyone?

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

 

[Chrishazle]

Thanks all, not sure if I should investigate having the ESL repaired/replaced, busy with family visit this afternoon hence cream crackered! Thankfully grandchildren are only rented and have now disappeared home with their parents so we can clear up then finally relax. Where's my glass??

 

[Uncle Benz]

There are some decent auto locksmiths who can disconnect it and fit an emulator with the correct code in it which will bypass the problem for not a lot of money. You need to consider the potential insurance complications though. You can also buy the little motor that goes inside the ESL which is the part that fails. It’s tricky to do because it must go in at the same orientation that it comes out or it won’t work. I recommend finding someone who has done a few before if you go this route. Or fit a new unit from Mercedes, which is the most expensive option.

 

[Uncle Benz]

From my post of 26th April

That is the lock I would think. With the key inserted rock the steering from side to side. It may release. Try banging the steering column low down.

If it does release I would then disconnect the battery. It is much easer to remove the unit in an unlocked state.
I replaced one over a year ago. I got the motor off Amazon for £6.00.
I
basically replaced the cheap Chinese Mercedes installed motor with another cheap Chinese motor.

Bit of work lying on the back to get it off, otherwise easy enough.

The state of the battery in the key is not relevant.
You can also get an emulator but it needs to be coded and may impact on your insurance.

Dead ignition

Just put key into ignition, and nothing! No “click” when the car recognises they key, and when key is turned nothing at all. Battery ok, car locks and unlocks on the key. I suspect the EIS unit, but not sure what else it could be. Any ideas anyone?

forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

Basically what he said ^