a class not starting

[CLASS]

recently had new starter to a 52 plate a140

at the moment it starts first thing in morning no problem or if car has been sitting for a period of time it starts no problem - if car has been used on short journeys etc- or constant use during day - isnt always starting - but starts on its own after a period or roughly one hour or with a bump start

any ideas

 

[television]

If it is the original battery, it could be on the way out, just measure the standing voltage over night should be over 12volts.

Faulty batteries can damage the starter by causing high amps when starting

 

[CLASS]

thanks for your response - is this possible even though all lights on dash are lighting as normal - key is opening and closing car ok - just nothing when car is started -

 

[mattkh]

recently had new starter to a 52 plate a140
any ideas

Hi
Unusual for the starter to go so early. What is the mileage. Is it used a lot for short stop and start journeys ? In other words has the ignition switch been overused ???

 

[CLASS]

Hi there, thanks for responding - the mileage is approx 52,000 - it is not constantly used for short journeys - but i do tend to find the problem arises when doing so - somebody mentioned that maybe immobiliser is not kicking of?????
cheers

terry

 

[CLASS]

have had battery checked with kwik -fit and is ok - any other suggestions

 

[mattkh]

hi
Why was the starter changed ? Did you change it yourself ?
When it does not start, do you mean the engine cranks but does not fire ?
How clean are the plugs ?
i would try the plugs first.

 

[CLASS]

starter was changed by mercedes

when not starting all dash lights are coming on but absolutely nothing from starter - sounds stupid but not starting very randomly - as I said absolutely no problems in morning with starting or if car has been sitting for a period of time - but once started - starts on and off randomly - car is services regularly but i will try plugs tomorrow


cheers


Terry

 

[mattkh]

Hi
Before you change the plugs, take it back to Mercedes who changed the starter.

 

[gables]

Hi Class et All,

I have a similar problem, if not the same. My Vaneo starts fine in the morning, but won't start after being run for a short journey or longer. It has the feel of the immobiliser still being ON when I try to start, as in all the dash lights up as normal but nothing from the engine. If I leave the car for a while (this depends on how long the car has been run for) to cool down then it will start first time - is this the same problem?

I reckon there is a heat sensor somewhere that is activating the immobiliser ut I don't know where, any ideas anyone?

Cheers,

 

[CLASS]

this is exactly same problem, it will start again if you leave it long enough.

I have tried disconnecting battery and then re-connecting but this has not solved anything - thought that this may reset immobiliser.

will keep you informed if i get it fixed and would appreciate if you do same

cheers


Terry

 

[gables]

Hi Terry,

Will do. I've found a way around it for now, which is to remove one of the relays from the fuse box. I can then start the engine at will, however, some of the dash warnings lights stay lit but this is sorted when the relay is re-inserted.

I took it to a local auto-electric firm (very friendly bunch) who on hearing it start thought the starter motor was fine, there was also nothing hanging loose under the van. Their suggestion is to take it to an MB garage (i.e. where we bought it), they can hook it up and get any fault codes, this shoudl pinpoint the problem.

The reason I haven't gone there yet is that I wanted to carry out some initial diagnosis to see if they bulls*it me.

I'll keep you updated.

Tony

 

[mattkh]

Hi Terry,

Will do. I've found a way around it for now, which is to remove one of the relays from the fuse box. Tony

Hi
can you tell us more about this relay. What position it is in?
What are the numbers on the relay ?

 

[gables]

First of all my vehicle is a 2002 Vaneo 1.9 CDi; I believe the Vaneo range was based on the A class so hopefully this will be useful.

This image shows the fuse box:

The relay boxed in RED is the relay I remove to start the car and then re-insert. The relay boxed in PURPLE if removed the car won't start at all, even the preglow indicator doesn't light up.

The relay I remove is described on fuse sheet as 'Relais Elektronik' so probably best re-inserted when the car is started. The purple one is described as 'Relais Motorsteuergerat' so probably to do with the starter motor.

HTH,
Tony

 

[JEZ.S320L]

starter was changed by mercedes

when not starting all dash lights are coming on but absolutely nothing from starter - sounds stupid but not starting very randomly - as I said absolutely no problems in morning with starting or if car has been sitting for a period of time - but once started - starts on and off randomly - car is services regularly but i will try plugs tomorrow


cheers


Terry

Silly question. Why not take it back to Mercedes - who fitted the starter?

 

[CLASS]

been told that this is probably nothing to do with starter - a completely different problem- just trying to find out is this is right or wrong - mercedes charge £100-00 per hour labour for diagnostics - to tell me that this is possibly nothing to do with starter - already spent a lot of money with starter being fitted - trying to find out where i stand before going back to mercedes - have it booked with an auto electrician this week - will let yous know how i get on - if it is the starter obviously i will take the car back to mercedes

cheers


terry

 

[mattkh]

been told that this is probably nothing to do with starter - a completely different problem- just trying to find out is this is right or wrong - mercedes charge £100-00 per hour labour for diagnostics - cheers terry

Hi
Where abouts are you

 

[CLASS]

I stay in glasgow

 

[BlackC55]

It does very much sound like a starter problem.

Chech the earth straps to as this could be another cause of an intermitant non-start.

 

[gables]

I thought it might be the starter, I took it to an auto-electric specialist to look at it, he checked the earth straps and they're okay, when I removed the relay and started the engine the bloke said the starter motor was okay.

I wouldn't describe the problem as intermitant; whenever the engine is hot it won't start and no matter how hot it is, when I remove the relay it starts everytime. I think it is a heat sensor that is effectively immobilising the starter, I'd just like to have an idea before I get reamed by the MB garage.