Ignition problem

[Risky Goat]

Hi all,

I have a W212 E220 14 plate.
When I put the key in there is no reaction from the car, no steering lock noise and no light come up on the instrument panel and the car won’t turn over.
The car unlocks fine and the centre screen display is working.
It happened once before a few months ago but by the time the breakdown guy arrived it had started again.
Has anyone got any idea what might be happening?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tpn]

Just a guess going on the fact that there is no steering lock noise. The motor for releasing the lock is probably failing.
If that is the case disconnect the battery while the lock is off.
If it fails in the lock on position it makes it extremely difficult to remove the module from the steering column as the release button cannot be depressed.
Mercedes used a cheap Chinese motor. You can get them on Amazon for approx £10.00

 

[mioba]

post a link to the even cheaper Chinese 10 job.

 

[Risky Goat]

I don’t think it’s that as there is no lights on the console either.
I disconnected the battery and when I reconnected it everything was back as it should be. Was wondering if it was maybe a sticky relay or key problem could it be an ECU fault or something?
Is it something that would show if they put a diagnostic on it?

 

[tpn]

post a link to the even cheaper Chinese 10 job.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KWGJ...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl just one of many. This says no noise, but the one I fitted has the same noise as the original. you can also get an emulator but that has to be coded in.

 

[tpn]

I don’t think it’s that as there is no lights on the console either.
I disconnected the battery and when I reconnected it everything was back as it should be. Was wondering if it was maybe a sticky relay or key problem could it be an ECU fault or something?
Is it something that would show if they put a diagnostic on it?

I still think you should look at a sticky motor. What you experience is how it acts for some time when failing. Again if it eventually fails in the locked position the job is much harder.
Of course it may not be that, but....

 

[tpn]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KWGJ...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl just one of many. This says no noise, but the one I fitted has the same noise as the original. you can also get an emulator but that has to be coded in.

Have a look at this: this is for fitting the emulator. Several videos out there on fitting the motor. in my case there was not a warning on the dash, just no noise and no ignition. Steering was in the open position so the tab did not need to be cut off. https://www.youcanic.com/wiki/mercedes-benz-ignition-lock-esl-problems

 

[Risky Goat]

Thanks for your help everyone. I’ve been in Taiwan since May so have only just come back to this post.
It’s just happened again so I’ll have a look at the links and see about the new steering lock motor.

What’s the difference between motor and emulator?

 

[tpn]

The emulator has to be programmed in, you will no longer have a steering lock- perhaps an insurance issue.
The motor does not have to be programmed and you keep your steering lock.
Either way the existing lock has to be removed. Much more difficult if it expired in the locked position