1995 E200 starts but does not crank

[The Pilgrim]

Good evening gents,

Here is the issue: As the cold weather came, the car would not crank anymore. Had this issue last winter, and I did bypass the starter relay, mounting another start button which takes + 12 V from the radioset and gets it directly to the starter's relay. Also, the green and red lights from the central mirror are flashing alternately 10-20 seconds after the car starts running.
I was thinking that the alarm has something wrong as long as it blocked the cranking. Regarding the alarm, since I've got the car (20.000 km ago) I can only start the car after depresing the key twice (close & open the doors) if the red LED on the dashboard gets on (shortly after the initial door opening).

If somebody encountered this issue, please give me a clue, it is bothering alot.

Thank you for your time

Stefan
1995 E200 automatic, 111.942

 

[Dec]

First, test, several times that you’re remote is working every time the button is pressed.
Red and Green flashing SIMULTANEOUSLY for about 30 seconds AFTER the engine is started or when the ignition is turned to position 2 (and also on locking) means that the remote batteries need to be replaced.

Red and Green flashing ALTERNATLEY mean the immobiliser has not been disabled, so the car won’t start.

Do your indicators work and also do the hazards lights flash during locking… 1 time, and unlocking… 3 times?

Dec

 

[grober]

It does sound as if the alarm is not disarming. This could be down to the remote batteries being low or a intermittent fault in the key itself [ there's a 4 legged contact switch under the button and sometimes a leg breaks and then only makes intermittent contact. this thread tells you how to repair it. repairing broken W202 Key fob. - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums if its that. It may be the alarm that preventing the starting turning over or it could be the the gear selector safety switch-- this prevents the starter from operating unless the the selector is in neutral or park-- sometimes can be temporary rectified by wiggling the lever back and fore if its faulty. The starter solenoid could have water in it- and if this happens it can freeze in very cold weather - again can be rectified temporarily by pouring hot water on it [ not a permanent solution!] or it could be the alarm itself--- might be sensitive to low battery voltage which can occur in bad weather or it could be faulty---- these were normally a dealer fit item not standard from the factory so they were all different and wired differently too. If its "after market" its best replaced by a newer unit which will be more reliable. A vehicle alarm specialist should be able to strip out the old one and replace it with a modern design system. Make sure in the meantime your main car battery is fully charged and in good condition.

 

[The Pilgrim]

First, test, several times that you’re remote is working every time the button is pressed. I guess so, don't recall any failure.
Red and Green flashing SIMULTANEOUSLY for about 30 seconds AFTER the engine is started or when the ignition is turned to position 2 (and also on locking) means that the remote batteries need to be replaced.

Red and Green flashing ALTERNATLEY mean the immobiliser has not been disabled, so the car won’t start. This is what happens, will check if is not a combination of the two situations and report back.

Do your indicators work and also do the hazards lights flash during locking… 1 time, and unlocking… 3 times? Will check and get back.

Dec

Thank you for the tips. Also, my model is W210, hope the behaviour is the same as w202

 

[grober]

Oh when you said e200 95 I assumed a w124 not a W210. If you have a flip out key then key repair will be the same. the gearlever saftey switch will apply as does the frozen startersolenoid BUT the alarm system is, I fear an integral part of the vehicle wiring from the factory. Again the advice about the main car battery holds good in so far as older electrical components on the "brink of failure" will sometimes work given a healthy 12volt supply but " wilt " under the stress of a reduced voltage supply.

 

[The Pilgrim]

It does sound as if the alarm is not disarming. This could be down to the remote batteries being low or a intermittent fault in the key itself [ there's a 4 legged contact switch under the button and sometimes a leg breaks and then only makes intermittent contact. this thread tells you how to repair it. repairing broken W202 Key fob. - Mercedes-Benz Owners' Forums if its that. As long as the issue comes with the winter, perhaps is not the remote.
It may be the alarm that preventing the starting turning over or it could be the the gear selector safety switch-- this prevents the starter from operating unless the the selector is in neutral or park-- sometimes can be temporary rectified by wiggling the lever back and fore if its faulty. Again, guess not, being an season issue.
The starter solenoid could have water in it- and if this happens it can freeze in very cold weather - again can be rectified temporarily by pouring hot water on it [ not a permanent solution!] No way, first time I got home towed, and went directly to starter (bought first the contacts plate - thought it was worn). No issue there, clean as new. (car 180.000km)
or it could be the alarm itself--- might be sensitive to low battery voltage which can occur in bad weather or it could be faulty---- these were normally a dealer fit item not standard from the factory so they were all different and wired differently too. If its "after market" its best replaced by a newer unit which will be more reliable. A vehicle alarm specialist should be able to strip out the old one and replace it with a modern design system. Make sure in the meantime your main car battery is fully charged and in good condition.

I'll check the battery again (that could be a season issue) and yes, the alarm itself is my first suspect. There are wires looking aftermarket, including butcher's operations (holes choped odd) which makes me think to an aftermarket attachment.

Thank you Grober

 

[The Pilgrim]

Just drained the battery a couple of days ago ( two days key on 1, radio on, fan on = 7,5 V) and hardly recovered it. Car starts instantly, even directly with the key (not the auxiliary button). Mirror lights still flashing both at the same time (remote batt low if I understood right), will change them tomorrow. BTW, I checked the remote red led pressing the button 3 seconds and the light was quite bright and the remote works ok aparently.
Any ideea?