Folks would appreciate any pointers please.
A170 cdi Auto, 2001, 80k
A class of woes...the car will not start (absolutely NOTHING on key turn) when the engine is warm. Starts fine first thing in morn and then again after a few hours of having been switched off, but NOT if you try to start it, a few mins/sec after having switched it off. This happens under all climatic conditions.
Benz dealer's computer came up with nothing. They say it could be ECU(£1100+vat) or autobox relay/switch (£600+vat) or something else which they cant think of right now!! They mentioned that they have seen things like this in the C class and solution (as owners were not willing to pay the high prices for the potential ECU replacement 'solution') has been to bypass the ECU/offending relays somehow. The A class unfortunately, is in a engineering/design complexity league of it's own and they have never even attempted this kind of 'bypass' fix for it.
An indy has discovered a way to start it when the engine is warm ie disconnect the ESP relay(in battery compartment, front footwell), tur nthe key, engine fires up, reconnect the ESP realy and away you go.
In the meantime, the following items have been changed: MAS; auto box oil; battery; brake light switch, all to no avail. There have been other issues too and I have lost confidence in the car.
In anticipation of your views please
thanks
A170 cdi Auto, 2001, 80k
A class of woes...the car will not start (absolutely NOTHING on key turn) when the engine is warm. Starts fine first thing in morn and then again after a few hours of having been switched off, but NOT if you try to start it, a few mins/sec after having switched it off. This happens under all climatic conditions.
Benz dealer's computer came up with nothing. They say it could be ECU(£1100+vat) or autobox relay/switch (£600+vat) or something else which they cant think of right now!! They mentioned that they have seen things like this in the C class and solution (as owners were not willing to pay the high prices for the potential ECU replacement 'solution') has been to bypass the ECU/offending relays somehow. The A class unfortunately, is in a engineering/design complexity league of it's own and they have never even attempted this kind of 'bypass' fix for it.
An indy has discovered a way to start it when the engine is warm ie disconnect the ESP relay(in battery compartment, front footwell), tur nthe key, engine fires up, reconnect the ESP realy and away you go.
In the meantime, the following items have been changed: MAS; auto box oil; battery; brake light switch, all to no avail. There have been other issues too and I have lost confidence in the car.
In anticipation of your views please
thanks
