Help! W204 will not start - immobiliser?

[fred52]

Just moved my car took key out and then decided it wasn't far enough back, so put key back in and absolutley nothing! Almost as if the immobiliser has locked out and is not recognising the key. Its an autobox so made sure I had brake on. Locked in Park. Closed car - all works OK. Opens car all OK - then try to start - nothing - not even a click.

Tried the spare key - same thing.

Called the dealer - no clue!

Called Mobilo and now waiting to see when they can get here.

Any ideas please. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Its must be the key or EIS gone down??

 

[Cole@MBS]

Is the key turning, if so i will say starter fuse has blown!!

 

[fred52]

The key turns through several positions, but then stops. No sign of starter motor and impossible to get drive selector out of Park.

If its the EIS fuse, is this readily accessible?

Thanks

 

[Cole@MBS]

If the key is turning then the EIS is ok, i suspect the starter fuse has popped, i did this for a 203 but the same on the 204

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=46827

 

[fred52]

Still no joy.........

Mobilo agent just turned up - impressive timing!

Brake lights do not go on with key in ignition. His assessemnt - the keys and immobiliser are out of synchronisation and it will get towed into the dealer tomorrow morning for a resynch!

What a palaver - is this really progress?!

 

[Cole@MBS]

My assessment- he dont know what his talking about, what did the star machine throw out????

 

[fred52]

Hi - he didn't plug anything in - he just said "nowt we can do - into the dealer for resynch" !

 

[Cole@MBS]

It wasnt a merc tech then! i would refuse recovery until a merc tech has looked at the car and put a star machine on it!!!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hi - he didn't plug anything in - he just said "nowt we can do - into the dealer for resynch" !

Full marks for a speedy turn out. Pity about the diagnostic flair!

 

[fred52]

Mobilo will not send a technician to the car - its the other way round! The dealer is less than 10 minutes away so hopefully something will be resolved tomorrow!

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Mobilo will not send a technician to the car - its the other way round! The dealer is less than 10 minutes away so hopefully something will be resolved tomorrow!

Doesn't it just always happen on a Friday night. I do hope that their Saturday arrangements enable the problem to be solved. :|

 

[television]

I have to agree with SAM on this, as the key turns it is not a re sync problem

 

[fred52]

MB Dealer says.............

...........diagnsotics revealed nothing that they could act on. Waiting for their 'expert' on Monday.

Don't you just love these guys?

 

[fred52]

Latest from the dealer - no fault codes stored.

Disconnected battery and re-connected and all working! They want to keep it for a few more hours to make sure that its really OK!

Does anybody know if disconnecting the battery and re-connecting it is the recommended resolution anyway and if they had tried this on Friday evening a lot of time and expense would have been spared?

 

[fred52]

Just a thought...........

Everything is working fine now (fingers crossed!).

If a battery disconnect/re-connect was enough to sort out the software glitch, why don't MB (and others) incorporate a user 're-set' button! It would save literally £ms of wasted effort and time!

 

[jberks]

Reboot strikes again

 

[television]

Once anything digital locks up, only a power down will cure it, this could have just been a million to one glitch

 

[Patch]

w204 Not Starting - No Dash Lights - Steering Locked

I called into the local shop last Sunday evening and when I came out put in the key and turned it there was no lights on the dash and the car would not start (Its a 2007 with 100k miles with no warranty). Called out MB Breakdown and they were there within an hour. Their technician said it was the steering lock mechanism and it would need to be taken to the MB Dealer to confirm this. The breakdown truck arrived and because the car was parked with full lock to the left they had to jerk it on to the pickup truck. I rang MB next morning and the guy told me that when they got it off the truck it was starting. Apparently this is a common fault where the steering lock gets worn and if the car is in full lock when parked it can fail to start. I have ordered the new parts with a total cost quoted for labour and parts of £850. However I have been driving the car for over a week now while I await the parts (being Christmas its going to take two weeks for the parts) I now park the car with wheels straight ahead and touch wood it has started everytime.

 

[television]

Thanks for the feedback on this one, lets hope this cures the problem