No Starting - W210 E300td

[Stagman]

Can anyone offer advice on a starting problem with an E300td please. Sep 98 model - Genuine 62,000 miles, FMBSH. All 6 glow plugs replaced at 47,000 miles (Apr 04) with genuine MBenz parts.

Car currently used approximately once a week as I presently live in the Middle East. Recently the friend who looks after the car went to start it, but was confronted by the following problem. Dash lights came on, but no glow plug light and engine doesn't even attempt to turn over. It is just as if gear selector is not in Park / Neutral. New battery just fitted as old one was over 7 years old (Exide!! - 95 AH with very high CCA). Not sure what make of new battery has gone on now, but still identical fault so presume old battery was still ok. Friend has 'fiddled' with gear selector and fuses but not actually done any serious fault finding.

My thoughts are gearbox isolator switch, but does this affect the glow plugs / glow plug relay?

I have trawled the site extensively, but cannot find reports of this exact fault. Any help / advice would be therefore gratefully received.

Also does anyone know of an independent in the Cirencester / Fairford area where car is presently; car will need a service shortly as it will be nearly 2 years since last service!

Thanks,

Richard

 

[Cole@MBS]

Welcome Stagman, i have to agree, it does sound like that, there is also one other thing to check, have your mate check to see if the car comes out of park once the ign is on, if it doesn't then post back and i will talk you through what to do next!

 

[Stagman]

Thanks for your time S-A-M/U-N-I-T. I can confirm that the car will come out of park once ignition is on.

 

[television]

I think it is the ignition switch

 

[roofless]

it might be a poor contact at the terminal 50 plug will look like this one from a 124

 

[Stagman]

Thanks to you both for these replies. Will check them out and post the results; there will be a delay as I'm operating through a third party who is looking after the car.

 

[merc convert]

No expert but could it be the immobiliser?

 

[Stagman]

Can someone please confirm the immobiliser reset procedure - is it ignition key in 'Position 2', disconnect battery and then reconnect battery?

 

[television]

Can someone please confirm the immobiliser reset procedure - is it ignition key in 'Position 2', disconnect battery and then reconnect battery?

If an EIS key, all plastic and no flip out blade, then never disconnect battery with key in ignition.

The imobilizer will not stop the lights from coming up on the dash

Does the radio come on in key 1 or 2

Do you have a volt metter

 

[Stagman]

Dear Malcolm,

Key is plastic less the metal 'key' that can be manually released (slides forward) to gain access to the car in the event of battery failure etc.

Radio (from memory) works in Position 1; will take a while to confirm whether it is still doing so as I have to confirm through a third party.

No voltmeter on the car but we have just fitted a brand new battery which produces the same symptoms as the previous battery - ignition lights on but no glow plug light and no starter motor / solenoid activation.

Thanks for your time.

 

[television]

Is it possible to confirm the vin of the car, the next 3 after 210 and I will do a search and see the possibilities.

 

[Stagman]

Malcolm,

Full VIN is:

WDB2102252A716987

Thanks for your help,

Regards,

Richard Thorpe

 

[Stagman]

Is there anyone able to help with the the immobiliser reset procedure for an E300 TD VIN: WDB2102252A716987 please.

Thanks.

 

[television]

The fan in the control box should be removed, and the fuse checked, and this is a standard modification, the fan is not needed. Check fuse K40/4f5 or replace.

With the above fault the glow plug lights will not come on, and the starter will not operate

Do this first

 

[Stagman]

K40 relay replaced. No change to non-starting symptons. Could there be a wiring loom fault?

 

[television]

I will do a further search later in the day

 

[Stagman]

Thank you to all and particularly "Television", who offered assistance and advice. The problem has been tracked down to a wiring loom under the bonnet that has served as a meal to a family of mice! The result of parking the car at a friend's house in the countryside!! One for others to be wary of perhaps.

 

[television]

pleased that you have fixed it or know the problem, we do not have mice in the workshop menu, but thanks you for looking after these little furry souls, and feeding them