96 C280 No Start - No Voltage

[jamesjedi]

Hi,

First post here. Hi Everyone!

I have 1996 C280 not starting. I removed the key cylinder a while ago due to the key/tumbler sticking, and have been starting it with screw driver without any problem (the generic key I bought from Ebay did not work). The dealer wants alot of money for it to be fixed correctly, I will get to it.

Here is the story so far;

- I have taken starter out and tested - it works

- tested the voltage to the starter - the large one from battery has 12 volts

- tested the smaller wire to the solanoid while cranking the ingnition switch - NO VOLTAGE

I am a little stumped! As the 96 does not have a starter relay ( that I can find?), what is the next likely cause. I am starting to think that the ignition switch could be at fault. How do I test it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[television]

It could be or the lock out switch, the circuit is here

http://www.autolib.diakom.ru/CAR/Mercedes-Benz/1995/C280/SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS/5366.pdf

 

[jamesjedi]

Thanks for the reply!

I have found that part. I will pull it tomorrow and test it. I assume it is a simple relay?

Unless it can be tested whithout pulling it?

Will post results tomorrow as it is getting late.

Thanks again.

 

[jamesjedi]

Well.....

Ii thought I would go out and pull it (the starter lock relay) and then test within a few minutes. I cant even see it!

I pulled the lower dash off, and some side trim....I cant see it. It does not look the same as the picture in my Bently repair manual.

Can I test the EIS easily? I think it would be more likely related to the key area, as I had problems there before???

Help is greatly appreciated.

 

[television]

You have the colours of the wire leaving the switch, I use a pin to stick it in the cable and join the teat meter clip to the pin

 

[Dec]

Early 1996 W202 have an immobiliser chip glued inside the remote case as illustrated in picture, just below the Red lens.
As you’re using a screwdriver to try to start the car then this chip won’t be interacting with a coil that surrounds the ignition lock.

If your ignition lock is exactly like the one pictured below then you don’t have the immobiliser chip inside your remote.

Also, see… http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=87179

Dec

 

[jamesjedi]

Thanks for the replies.

This has been the most frustrating job I have ever done on a car. Even the simple task of reinstalling the starter is difficult. Added to the frustration is the fact that it -10 C.

Oh well....I will plug away.

 

[jamesjedi]

Well....


I do not have the imobiliser, or at least I do not think I do. Thanks for the tip. I was starting it with just a screw driver. Silly -yes.

I have been using the Bently manual. I have found it to be missing some information. I remember it being easier to use on my other car.

I am going to pull the steering lock. I cant find instructions (and I have looked - just not the right place?) that can be understood by a git like me.

I see that the bracket comes off, and should the key position be #1? I see that something is holding it in, just not sure.


Thanks again for the replies and pictures. I very much appreciate the effort.

 

[television]

You can get to the violet wire without taking out the switch, just stick a pin in it to test

 

[Dec]

Well....


I do not have the imobiliser, or at least I do not think I do. Thanks for the tip. I was starting it with just a screw driver. Silly -yes.

I have been using the Bently manual. I have found it to be missing some information. I remember it being easier to use on my other car.

I am going to pull the steering lock. I cant find instructions (and I have looked - just not the right place?) that can be understood by a git like me.

I see that the bracket comes off, and should the key position be #1? I see that something is holding it in, just not sure.


Thanks again for the replies and pictures. I very much appreciate the effort.

You need to be sure if you have the immobiliser or not, lever off the surround as illustrated in picture below, if there is NO wire attached to the surround then you don’t have the immobiliser.

What does the 6 mean in Red here… Car: C280/1996/6

Dec

 

[jamesjedi]

Thanks agin for the help.

I will try to acces the violet. Not much room there. It should be adequate to see if the wire has power with my tester?

I do not have the wire atttached to that part of the tumbler - thanks for the tip.

Just to confirm, as it it was cold and hard to see, the solanoid has two wires that go together, and the the main post obviously has the larger wire from the battery. I believe the starter is its own ground?

It looks like my two smaller wires were replaced at some point with a black wire, and another black with a thin red stripe.

I have not sent a car to the garage (unless tires or welding related) in a long time. I may have to throw in the towel. ARrrrrrG!

Thanks again!

 

[television]

Another thing the car may have is a K38 starter lock out relay mounted under the dash behind the radio, these are know to get poor connections on the spade fittings

 

[jamesjedi]

Hi,

I thought I would say thanks to the contributers....Thanks.


I threw in the towel. It was close to -10 clecius, and I had had enough. I feel like I lost a game - oh well. I have not taken a car to a mechanic in a long time except for tires/exhaust. I have a lot to learn when it comes to tracking electrical problems.

Thanks to all!

Mechanic found it. It was a short between the neutral safety switch and starter.

 

[television]

Thanks for posting back,,sorry we could not get that one

 

[jamesjedi]

Any chance of one last question?

The car is shifting "very hard into thirs gear. Is there a chance that something got knoked loose while working under the car that could cause this.

If not, I will change the trans oil. The Bentley manual suggests it as a solution to bad shifting. I thinks I will do it anyways - it now has 200,000 km and I am not sure when it was changed last.

What type of gear oil should I use? What about Lucas oil?

As always, your help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jamesjedi]

...just got a quote for the trans oil; 26.95/L = ouch!

Is there another substitute?

The filter and gaskets, etc, are inexpensive, combined with the oil it comes out to approximately $220!