W221 S350 not starting (doesn’t even try) after service.

[DSK]

24/03/2024 - the cars starts and works well but..

The car has started first time, every time today (about 4 tries) and I’ve done another hours test drive where it drove fine.

However when putting the ignition on I get;

I plugged my icarsoft v3 in and oddly it can’t connect…

Several more times, despite the error being present upon ignition being turned on, the car started first time perfectly.

Great another call and no doubt visit to the garage.

The only reason why I’ve not lost my sh!t is the fact its now starting perfectly despite this. Just concerning why we saw the same previously when it fails to start.


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[krsebest]

24/03/2024 - the cars starts and works well but..

The car has started first time, every time today (about 4 tries) and I’ve done another hours test drive where it drove fine.

However when putting the ignition on I get;

I plugged my icarsoft v3 in and oddly it can’t connect…

Several more times, despite the error being present upon ignition being turned on, the car started first time perfectly.

Great another call and no doubt visit to the garage.

The only reason why I’ve not lost my sh!t is the fact its now starting perfectly despite this. Just concerning why we saw the same previously when it fails to start.


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Very sorry to hear it's back, I was hoping you had the solution finally... when you turn off, take out the key, turn on again, does this error come back? The cruise control bit sounds new..

With my car, sometimes I get the run flat+ESP error and non-start issue, but when I leave the key in the same (second turn) position for a few minutes, sometimes the ignition coil icon shows up and the car starts. But the errors stay on until engine turn off and another start.

 

[DSK]

The cruise was when I stopped to photo it having trying to set the speed limiter. I’d expect this as it said esp inoperative.

As the car starts despite the message, I’m hoping that this may now just be down to a brake sensor.

A few times I went to start it, it did display the same esp error but, started without issue first time every time.


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[SL500+S500]

The cruise was when I stopped to photo it having trying to set the speed limiter. I’d expect this as it said esp inoperative.

As the car starts despite the message, I’m hoping that this may now just be down to a brake sensor.

A few times I went to start it, it did display the same esp error but, started without issue first time every time.


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It looks just like an ABS/speed sensor fault. Last time I had this I asked them to just take the wheels off and clean the faces of the sensor and the ring. Seemed to sort it.

 

[DSK]

Daft as it sounds even though all should be well as the car hasn’t been used since Nov 2023 and I can’t vouch for how it was treated/driven when the mechanics had it, I’m going to take it to the local petrol station, check tyre pressures and reset the run flat indicator first, then give the garage a call tomorrow.


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[Wighty]

Daft as it sounds even though all should be well as the car hasn’t been used since Nov 2023 and I can’t vouch for how it was treated/driven when the mechanics had it, I’m going to take it to the local petrol station, check tyre pressures and reset the run flat indicator first, then give the garage a call tomorrow.


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Might be the brake stop switch £15 ish sits under the steering column on my W211 . 10 mins to fit , not sure if an S class is the same ?

 

[DSK]

I spoke too soon, car failed to start this morning.

Now I’m ****ed to max with MB. I can’t believe this has happened out of no where. Waiting to hear back from the garage and see what we do do next, no doubt they will say we need to wait for an ECU which is on back order. Sadly I’m not convinced an ECU is the issue and I’m not prepared to have anyone play parts darts with my thousands any more, when I’m unable to use the car.

If anyone would like to buy it and resolve the issue they will end up with a seriously epic car, decent offers are welcome via PM.

2011 S350 bluetec, EU6,
Silver with black leather interior.
60,000 genuine miles, f/s/h, all records and invoices to support.
Only 2 previous owners
new brakes, good Michelin ps4 tyres all round, recent full service and atf service less than 1,000 miles ago. 2 service A and then some services in my 10k of ownership!
Exceptional condition top to bottom.


I’m going to start looking for something else now.

 

[V6Matty]

Such a shame it’s still going on, especially after all the additional work you’ve had done as preventative maintenance too.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Have watched a lot of this guy sorting out intermittent electrical problems on cars it might be worth reaching out to them they do collect data on common electrical faults relating to specific models

Diagnosedan TSB - DiagnoseDan

At DDTSB we collect data from large european automotive helpdesk centers. Just on our DDTSB helpdesk we already solve over 50.000 cases annually, that’s a lot of data! We analyse this data and look for trends, in other words we look for what fails on specific car models. When we see a trend we...

www.diagnosedan.com

 

[M2UBR]

I spoke too soon, car failed to start this morning.

Now I’m ****ed to max with MB. I can’t believe this has happened out of no where. Waiting to hear back from the garage and see what we do do next, no doubt they will say we need to wait for an ECU which is on back order. Sadly I’m not convinced an ECU is the issue and I’m not prepared to have anyone play parts darts with my thousands any more, when I’m unable to use the car.

If anyone would like to buy it and resolve the issue they will end up with a seriously epic car, decent offers are welcome via PM.

2011 S350 bluetec, EU6,
Silver with black leather interior.
60,000 genuine miles, f/s/h, all records and invoices to support.
Only 2 previous owners
new brakes, good Michelin ps4 tyres all round, recent full service and atf service less than 1,000 miles ago. 2 service A and then some services in my 10k of ownership!
Exceptional condition top to bottom.


I’m going to start looking for something else now.

I feel your pain after doing so much work and spending lots of money the car still isn’t fixed. I honestly don’t know how they are made where they become a mystery to repair it’s become like a guessing game for mechanics hence I have just persevered with mine as reading threads like yours does not convince me a sure way to getting this particular fault fixed.
It’s such a shame and do feel sorry for you that your having to sell the car but can’t blame you either I’ve been thinking about doing the same with mine too as it still does the same as yours after changing multiple relays but I like the damn thing that’s the problem hence I persevere.
Out of interest what would you sell yours for?

 

[DSK]

Similar cars on autotrader are circa £15k.

When this car works, it’s works great and due to its history and the way I’ve maintained it, there will not be another like it! Hence why I perused with it rather than chop it in earlier, I buy great cars to keep forever and maintain them in a manner that redefines OTT.

Its odd that I had no issues in 2yrs and this all started right after a service and brakes job. Could a wheel speed sensor alone, cause a car not to start?

The garage have replied and said get the car to them. They do not believe it’s the ECU as the fault was consistent on the old one but eliminated with the refurbished one. Considering it’s had a new EiS for the sake of it, the MB specialist has checked the wiring and connectors etc, it’s got to be something trivial.


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[tode]

I've just re-read this from the first page and I think you should find another garage - preferably an Indie recommended on here or, failing that, to Mercedes.
Even if you have to travel, it would be worth it to get it sorted.

I can understand that you're getting pipped off with the car, but the 221 is still a great car. I feel that your (continuing) problems aren't really due to the car, but mostly from the (apparently) unprofessional work that's been done.

And lastly, I think that selling a non-starting S class would be a mistake, unless you can find a very brave buyer !

Edit: I had a speed sensor go and it had no effect on the starting - just cut out the Distronic etc.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

As above - certainly try MB for a diagnostic but not to throw parts at it

 

[M2UBR]

As above - certainly try MB for a diagnostic but not to throw parts at it

I have heard good things about a garage in Hull called Auto Elite with a technician called Kurt on another post he apparently fixed someone’s car with this very same fault I have spoken to the Gargar and they seem to have heard and fixed this kind of problem before would be an idea to contact them to see what they say I myself have contacted them and will be taking my car to them on the next few weeks

 

[DSK]

The owner of MB centre did not want to play parts darts and was waiting for something meaningful move forward with as many tests didn’t provide a concrete path, until the no start signal from the ECU. Since the ECU it’s been fine until now so can’t really knock the owner of MB centre for that.

Whilst it would be ideal to have the car with AMF or Star, due to my personal circumstances, that’s not currently viable time wise being based in Nottingham. I’ve had a tow truck here before and the chap said even with skates, the way car is positioned it’s not going to happen and then luckily the car started after 40 minutes at which point I drove it to the garage.


Update 25/03/2024

Tried starting the car several times through the course of the day to no avail with the original symptoms.

MB centre requested getting the car to them. So hoping it starts on Wednesday and I’ll just drop it off.

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[DSK]

QUESTIONS FOR THOSE IN THE KNOW

Just thinking out loud, the ESP/Run flat no start started immediately after the service and brakes.

I’ll rule out water ingress as it must have been there ages and gone unnoticed for there to be that much water stored etc.

Could one or more wheel speed sensors fail/fault without logging a code? If so, could they contribute to a car not starting? (Just thinking if the original mb brakes were that bad could any debris to force to remove them impact the sensor etc).

Is there anything, when doing an atf service that can be touched/knocked to cause the car not to start?

Is the starter motor solenoid connector close by that could be contaminated etc?

Whatever the issue, I’m convinced it will be something trivial on the basis many other w221 owners experience this and spent thousands on ECUs, SAMS, EiS etc all to no avail.

Tried starting the car serval times today all to no avail. It’s been raining for a few days now and the car is bone dry, so good to see no more water ingress.


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[Richard Moakes]

C216 which is a 2 door W221 has a reputation for failing starter motors, I plan to change mine preventatively before it fails on me.

 

[M2UBR]

QUESTIONS FOR THOSE IN THE KNOW

Just thinking out loud, the ESP/Run flat no start started immediately after the service and brakes.

I’ll rule out water ingress as it must have been there ages and gone unnoticed for there to be that much water stored etc.

Could one or more wheel speed sensors fail/fault without logging a code? If so, could they contribute to a car not starting? (Just thinking if the original mb brakes were that bad could any debris to force to remove them impact the sensor etc).

Is there anything, when doing an atf service that can be touched/knocked to cause the car not to start?

Is the starter motor solenoid connector close by that could be contaminated etc?

Whatever the issue, I’m convinced it will be something trivial on the basis many other w221 owners experience this and spent thousands on ECUs, SAMS, EiS etc all to no avail.

Tried starting the car serval times today all to no avail. It’s been raining for a few days now and the car is bone dry, so good to see no more water ingress.


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From what I have read about this issue it seems to be linked to the canbus signal to the ecu to switch it on to start. A dark area as no one has a certain answer but after what you have replaced it seems more clear that it is a signal issue.
It would need someone who can read canbus signals from the car to determine where the fault lies T15 circuit is to do with the start signal which is in the front SAM unit it could may well be the front SAM but again guessing as another member found a broken link which caused the same issue in any event a good auto electrician is what is needed I’m still confident to say it is something minor but like all electrical problems it takes someone who knows what they are doing to find the fault.
I still have the issue but at the moment it seems to be behaving itself but it is frustrating as you cannot trust it.
Mercedes engineering gone wrong and driving people mad in the process!!

 

[DSK]

Let us know how you get on at auto elite!


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[DSK]

I found this doing some Googling which relates to auto elite in hull;

My starter and fuel pump relay have been changed.

Does anyone have a part number for this or a link to this part as eBay was less than helpful returning glow plug relays?


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