Cannot start my C180! :(

[chaosmongers]

Hi all,

I'm really hoping that someone can help me..

I recently bought a 1996 "P" C180, which runs fine most of the time.

However, on 4 occasions in the past month, after returning to start the car after a journey (for example at the petrol station), it just refuses to start, with the red/green lights on the mirror flashing alternately, which I guess could be an immobiliser problem?

On the previous 3 occasions, I locked the car, and returned after 20 minutes or so, and it started up again - though this fourth time, it won't start at all, and I've had to abandon it in town..


The starting of the car is a little strange.. On normal occasions, if I turn off the engine and remove the key, I have to lock and then unlock the car before it will allow me to start the engine again. I don't know if this is a related problem.


I'm going to get the bus into town tomorrow and try some new batteries in the key fob, though other than that, I'm completely stumped about what to do!


Any suggestions would be greatfully received!

thanks,
Simon

 

[DougCLK320]

Could be your OVP relay, which gave me similar symptoms on my E280 (W124) and was an easy (two minute) and cheap fix. I think it was something to do with build-up of temperature under the bonnet when parked for a short time. A new one from Eurocarparts fixed it completely and was, I think, less than thirty pounds. Good luck..
Doug

 

[jibcl500]

if your really stuck removing the OVP and then replacing it without disconnecting the battery sometimes is enough to get the car restarted.

jib

 

[chaosmongers]

thanks - i think i'm gonna have to find myself a manual!

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
The red and green L.E.D.'s flashing in the rear view mirror is normally a sign that the fob batteries are flat, according to my alarm book that came with my C230K.
Though the car still locks/unlocks it won,t be releasing the the immobiliser, hence the car not starting (remote locking is a feature of the car, the Immobiliser a feature of the alarm two separate systems, alarm is Scorpion, fitted by dealers/importers and is "not" factory fitted).
Do all your L.E.D.'s work i.e. in the door and in the mirror as one of these being blown manifests itself as a problem like you are describing. My car had a the same problem and mine was down to a blown red L.E.D. in the Rear View Mirror.
The only manual I found for the C class was the Haynes, does not mention anything about the alarm at all. Mercedes were,nt a lot of help either because none of the techies were old enough to know about those sort of alarm systems, even W.I.S has very little info as the alarm was classed as an accessory.
Hope this helps, keep us posted.

 

[chaosmongers]

Both mirror L.E.D.s and the L.E.D. on the door are both working fine.

I've got some new batteries for the key fob, so I'll give it a go tomorrow.

If I still can't get it started, I'll give our local garage a call to see if they can release the immobiliser.



thanks for your suggestions

 

[bigasotonuk]

Are you a member of the AA or RAC?
As when mine broke down they were able to bypass the immobiliser for me.
If it still don,t work when you put the new fob batteries in try disconnecting and reconnectin the car battery leave it off for 2-3 minutes use to work with me sometimes.

 

[anyweb]

simply replacing the keyfob batteries won't help, you'll still have to resync the key to the car

to resync the key to the car read the bottom of this post or consult your owners manual for instructions for doing it.
cheers
anyweb

 

[bigasotonuk]

Both mirror L.E.D.s and the L.E.D. on the door are both working fine.

I've got some new batteries for the key fob, so I'll give it a go tomorrow.

If I still can't get it started, I'll give our local garage a call to see if they can release the immobiliser.



thanks for your suggestions

Hi,
You don,t use the plural of L.E.D.s when referring to the door L.E.D.s you do have a red and green L.E.D. in the door as well as the mirror?
The key should,nt need resynching as it still works the central locking, and as long as the key is not left with no batteries in it for any amount of time resynching should,nt be nessacary.
Have you tried your spare key?

 

[chaosmongers]

Update...


I changed the key fob batteries... unfortunately, no luck there.

I took the car to a local garage, and they connected it to their computer, which pointed to a possible problem with the crank sensor.

They said this could be the reason why it's refusing to start whilst warm (the non-starting problem only occurs when the engine is warm, and it'll be usually OK after half an hour)

They reckon it's a 2 hour job to fix.


Does this sound a likely problem?

thanks,
Simon

 

[MarkCL]

It is possible - depends on whether the lights on the mirror are actually just a red herring or not. I had very similar starting problems (no lights though as I don't have that RVM fitted) and it was indeed the crank sensor - changed it for a new one (about £70) and it's been fine since. As for two hours though? No - Oliver at Prestige changed mine in about 30 mins. I know he's good but surely that would mean an hour even for a slow grease monkey

So - yes, it's worth a punt but not at 2 hours labour. At a push you could buy the spare and fit it yourself to be honest as it's just a case of undoing a bolt, taking it out, unplugging it, plugging in the new one and bolting it back on. If you were closer to Hampshire I'd say to just go see Oliver at Prestige but you're a bit far away for that really

Hope this helps anyway and keep us informed of how it goes

Cheers,
Mark

 

[anyweb]

good info MarkCL

if anyone volunteers to do this and post about it (with photos) i'll put the thread into the DIY section (w202: how to replace the crank sensor)

any takers ?

cheers
anyweb

 

[MarkCL]

If I hadn't already had mine done I might have been up for doing that Anyweb, even though I only found out how straight forward a swap it was from watching Oliver But then he can make a lot of tricky things look easy - the mark of a good mechanic

Cheers,
Mark