C Type ( W204 ) not starting

[johnscliffe]

Had this problem 4 years, almost always when temp near zero. Key in ignition turns -- no start -
alway thought EIS or ESL .. Always started 2nd or 3rd attempt and never failed again that day.
Then few weeks ago steering locked when manouvering in tight space, Expensive Recovery to
MB Dealers. Said EIS and ESL needed replacing and very expensive repair but found Invoice
showed only ESL though Invoice about what was quoted for both. Got car back and first very
cold day, same old non -start. Dealers ignored me including emails to them and Dealer Principal
so complaints to MB they persuaded Garage to pick car up , and do Star Test etc, said everything
100% but Battery old so perhaps that. Got it charged and tested 12.46 volts after standing but
had New Battery Fitted ( tested 12.95 to 13.15 Volts and around 14.5 when car running. ) Started
fine, took 15 mile run , stopping twice, but back home after standing 10 minutes, same old non
start problem - first time ever when warm though - Any ideas very much appreciated as 100%
sure Garage will ignor me again and will never replace the EIS that I feel I paid for --thanks

 

[Srdl]

I suggest you probably want a good Mercedes Indie to look at this, understand what the codes are telling him and do a proper job. You are just wasting time and money asking a Dealer to work on a 14 year old car which they just don’t understand.

Your profile just says “UK” - if you can be more specific, someone may be able to recommend a reliable garage near to you.

By the way, it’s “C Class”. BMW have “Series”, Jaguar have “Type” and Mercedes have “Class”.

 

[johnscliffe]

Many Thanks , sorry got it wrong , dont thnk I can alter to " C Class " now its posted
I'm near Leicester , appears they just rely on what the " Star " Diagnosis readout which was
" failed steering lock " Car only done 23,000 miles, they make out my low mileage is the
cause of my " no start " faults . I felt it best to go the Main Dealer as it appeared only they
can get the Steering Lock and Ignition parts as you have to prove ownership , ID etc due to
anti theft law on those particular parts . In fact when it started to " no start " about 5000 miles
ago - over 4 years ago after Air Bag Change that I believe started it , the Dealer who did that
work started talking about £1000.00 plus , naming the EIS and ESL and the local Indi who
was recommended then, said he could touch the car because of he could not get access to
those particular parts , so I left it - as it always started 2nd or 3rd attempt over the years and
then the sudden steering lock failure only half mile from home . Mobilo charged £150.00 to
recover the car. The local recovery garage wanted £375.00 to recover the car half mile to home
and I fear that will happen again unless the Ignition EIS is replaced as they first said it had to be
but I am up against a brick wall with the Dealership -- thanks

 

[Srdl]

Many Thanks , sorry got it wrong , dont thnk I can alter to " C Class " now its posted
I'm near Leicester , appears they just rely on what the " Star " Diagnosis readout which was
" failed steering lock " Car only done 23,000 miles, they make out my low mileage is the
cause of my " no start " faults . I felt it best to go the Main Dealer as it appeared only they
can get the Steering Lock and Ignition parts as you have to prove ownership , ID etc due to
anti theft law on those particular parts . In fact when it started to " no start " about 5000 miles
ago - over 4 years ago after Air Bag Change that I believe started it , the Dealer who did that
work started talking about £1000.00 plus , naming the EIS and ESL and the local Indi who
was recommended then, said he could touch the car because of he could not get access to
those particular parts , so I left it - as it always started 2nd or 3rd attempt over the years and
then the sudden steering lock failure only half mile from home . Mobilo charged £150.00 to
recover the car. The local recovery garage wanted £375.00 to recover the car half mile to home
and I fear that will happen again unless the Ignition EIS is replaced as they first said it had to be
but I am up against a brick wall with the Dealership -- thanks

This company have been mentioned on here before and seem to do a good job but I have no personal knowledge of them. Might be worth a phone call.

MB Automotive - Mercedes-Benz Specialist Loughborough

MB Automotive is an independent Mercedes-Benz specialist based in Loughborough.

www.mbautomotive.co.uk

 

[johnscliffe]

Thanks very much appreciated, will give them a call