^&*&! Have I got the ESL issue?

Yugguy

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Stuck the key in earlier today, no sound of esl releasing and can turn the key with no result.

Wiggled the steering wheel a bit and the ESL released.

Is there any chance it might be because the car battery is a bit low?

Or the key battery is a bit low?

Going to test the volts on it when I get home.

If I get home.

Or am I going to have to get the ESL changed? Hope it's covered under the Mercland warranty...
 

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It will not be the key battery since this is not used when starting the car.
 

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Might be time to get over to RMK in Birmingham Yug.
 

JBell

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Did the dash light up when you put the key in? If not it is probably the ESL
 

Naraic

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It could be either the EIS or the ESL. The EIS is easier to remove for testing and elimination.
 
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Yugguy

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Its dead as a dodo now, just waiting for mercland to call me back regarding warranty
 
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Yugguy

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ESL is stuck at disengaged. Key just turns and no dash lights.
 

JBell

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Its dead as a dodo now, just waiting for mercland to call me back regarding warranty

Mine did this several months ago, gave the steering wheel a hard bit of "left to right" and it released, been fine ever since
 

television

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The 204 is so well known for the steering lock ECU, Mercedes sell more than they do cars.
 

SFTP

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Its dead as a dodo now, just waiting for mercland to call me back regarding warranty

That's where I bought my car. I found them very good. They'll have sold the car with a 6 month RAC warranty (but they also have their own one too), extendable to 24 months.

If you are local (I am not) they'll probably want the car back to them to give them the oppertunity to fix it.

I imagine tour breakdown recovery will low load it to them, they'll fix it under cover and you'll drive off with a fixed car.

They were a good outfit. I would buy from them again if I was buying another Mercedes.
 
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Yugguy

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They forgot to put the warranty in so jay has done it now, it does mean I get 8 extra months.

Jbell I did that to get it disengaged but now it is stuck off. Which I believe makes it easier to fix.

I reckon it is the ESL. When I put the key in I can hear it click like a failing starter motor.

I will find out tomorrow about RAC, if not I will have to ring RMk.

****ing electrical bollocks. Mechanical ones were fine!;;
 
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Yugguy

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Battery looks OK, showing just over 12v with engine off and 14v with itvrunning.
 

Cole@MBS

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It will be steering lock, we do more of these on a 204 then anything ease on that model........
 

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It will be steering lock, we do more of these on a 204 then anything ease on that model........

I said that as well, a shocking case really.
 
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Yugguy

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Its a shame really, the car is otherwise smooth and solid and the engine unburstable but like a lot f modern cars the electrics are the issue.
 
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Yugguy

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Interestingly if I piggyback a 2nd battery on to the existing via jump leads, the problem goes away for a whlile. It's not a 900ah so cant start or run the car off it but I might take the existing one out and see if the esl works better on just this 2nd one.
 

Craiglxviii

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It will be steering lock, we do more of these on a 204 then anything ease on that model........

Bugger! What's the ballpark cost for replacing one then Col, for Yug's benefit?
 
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Yugguy

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I'm off to RMK on Monday. 500 quid if it is ESL.
 

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The motors in the steering lock burn out, if you back door the drive authorisation you can see the lock actually sees the EIS/Key, but because the motor inside fails it wont release the lock....
 

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