Is this the start of the dreaded ignition failure?

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Adrian5405

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Joined
Oct 5, 2015
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220
Location
Brizzle
Car
2010 C180 Komp Sport (1.6) W204.
Sat having a cuppa in my dressing gown and slippers this morning after waving the wife of to work for the day when all of a sudden she re appears at the back door.

CAR WONT START!!!

Off I go, turn the key, nothing.

Out with the jump leads, still nothing. Hmm strange.

It was then I noticed there was a lack of BZZZZ sound when she put the key in.
Pushed the key in and out 2-3 times, BZZZZ, and away it went, fires immediately.

After reading many posts on here to me it sounds like it could be the ignition lock/Motor on its way out as it seems to be a common problem on this model, but I would just like to get other opinions before I start the ball rolling and look into what is probably going to be an expensive repair.

Would you agree it does indeed sound like it's the problem, or who knows, maybe something else.

Seems like it's also a good idea to get it fixed ASAP before becoming stranded.

Many thanks for all thoughts and opinions.
 
OK, thanks for the link, I might give them a call.

I've found a couple of indies in Bristol so will see what they have to say, I take it I don't HAVE to go to main dealer then?
 
OK, thanks for the link, I might give them a call.

I've found a couple of indies in Bristol so will see what they have to say, I take it I don't HAVE to go to main dealer then?

No, stay away from the main dealer. The labour rates are double and they are quite good at replacing parts at your expense until they fix it.

Steve@Avantgarde is a well recommended indy in your area.

Independent Mercedes-Benz specialist Clevedon, Weston-Super-Mare and Bristol - Avantgarde Automotive
 
Mine failed a few months ago.

I manned up and fixed it myself. It was about £15 for the new motor and fairly easy to replace yourself. :thumb:
 
That's spooky, I was just looking at Avantgarde's website and thinking about popping down there in the morning.

How much is involved in fixing it yourself? I'm not afraid of a set of spanners, just scares me when it doesn't work when I put it back together..
 
Common fault is the ESL, It will leave you stranded somewhere eventually!

Mark
 
I'll find you my thread in the morning. I did a bit of a write up of it IIRC.

Its exactly what's happening to yours. It's the motor in the electronic steering lock.

It might seem like the problem has gone, but it's not. It will fail and it's recovery truck time.
 
If you could find your thread that would be brilliant, many thanks.
As the wife drives it 90% of the time she's wanting it sorted ASAP for obvious reasons.
 
Here's my almost identically titled thread!

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/214699-start-w204-ignition-issue.html

To be honest, the next time it starts could be it's last. I got super lucky it conked out on my drive. I had it a bit intermittent for a while, like it'd do it, no bzzz sound upon inserting the fob, but next try it'd work, then worked perfectly for a few more weeks, then it never worked again with no warning.

The critical bit is that it fails in the open position. I.e when you pull your fob out, it doesn't engage. If it engages, but won't disengage, you can't fix it, it has to be cut off with a grinder as it mechanically locks itself to the steering column. Mine failed in the unlocked position so I was able to remove it from the column for repair. If yours works, you'll put your fob in, then disconnect the battery.

If you do decide to do it yourself, feel free to contact me with any Qs.
 
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Many thanks for the link, a very interesting read.
As you prove it can by diy fixed, but do I feel confident enough to do it myself? Hmm not sure I do.
I'd love to give it a go and save a small fortune but time and patience is not something I have a lot of.

I've been to Advantage this morning, very helpful chaps. Told me the same information I've read on here so I've booked the car in. Hopefully the parts should be here next week.

I'm going to park the car up in a secure garage with the battery disconnected whilst it's in the unlocked position, can't risk the damm thing locking. Luckily I have use of another car so the wife can use mine until it's fixed.

Many thanks for the advice, part of me wishes I was giving it a go
 
I'm going to park the car up in a secure garage with the battery disconnected whilst it's in the unlocked position, can't risk the damm thing locking. Luckily I have use of another car so the wife can use mine until it's fixed.

Many thanks for the advice, part of me wishes I was giving it a go

Bank on 500 quid to replace it.

I've had to do mine recently, well RMK did it.

If you don't want to to disconnect the battery and lose settings, you can leave it with key in to unlock the ESL and then stick it in the garage on trickle charge. It's what I had to do as I had to wait over a weekend to get to RMK.

I have heard it can be DIYed and seen vids on youtube but I didn't want to completely knacker mine and then leave the car immovable as if it's an auto you can't get it out of Park without ignition on. You'd then have to get it lifted onto a recovery truck.

I should have asked rmk for the old part to have a go on.
 
I didn't lose any settings after reconnecting the battery a few days later.

RMK probably just fitted a new motor into your existing unit, otherwise it'd need coding etc.

The rest of the unit is fine, just the motor wears out.
 
Well it's taken 3 weeks but finally got this sorted.
2 weeks for the new steering lock to come from Germany and another week for an appointment.
I took it to Steve at Avantgarde in Clevedon who provided an excellent service, very professional and friendly.
Luckily I had use of another car so I left the Merc parked up in the garage as couldn't take the chance it would leave me stranded.

Supply and fit new lock for £260, could do without it but could have been a lot worse.
 
That's a very reasonable price if I'd have chickened out of doing it myself I'd have been very pleased with that after the figures some have paid from main dealers etc.
 
Only charged 1 hour labour by the looks of it, expected it to take longer than that, but I guess when you do it every day it's suprising how quick things can be done.
 

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