2008 S204 C220Cdi, ?EIS or ESL Failure, HELP!!

[Chrishazle]

Our S204 is stuck on the driveway and will not start. Checking the battery, conditioner shows orange which is normally enough to start the car, meter shows battery voltage 12.27V and zero milliamp drain, doors and tailgate open OK, dashboard lights up, lights come on, but keying the ignition there's nothing with either key, no clunk as the ESL unlocks and no starter motor. Tried the steering, it's locked. Thankfully we have the SLK so are not trapped carless, but what do I need to do with the C220??

TIA for any help.

 

[Jobsworth]

Sounds like esl failure. If you have a manual adjust steering column try unlocking it and slamming it in and out hard several times. If it’s the esl it can often get it working again, and at the very least then identifies what is wrong

 

[Chrishazle]

No Joy, unlocked the steering column and slammed it up and down quite a few times, no joy. Guess all I can do is call the garage tomorrow morning - there's a "German Car Specialist" about 1 mile away but I'd rather not use them (bit of history with my SLK), the other option is about 10-12 miles away!

 

[Jobsworth]

Try in and out. Give it a fair bit of grunt. Should have said

 

[Chrishazle]

First time did it I slammed the wheel up and down and nothing happened, just tried again slamming the wheel in and out and all of a sudden everything came back to life, car started, everything appears to be back to normal. Confused.com!!

 

[Jobsworth]

It’s the ESL then. It’s my go-to test

 

[Chrishazle]

Jobsworth, Gazz or Uncle Benz, many thanks, you allowed my wife to drive her car for the first time in a month (she had what we initially suspected was a stroke/TIA but thankfully was not, but was a big worry) with my daughter rather than me - a big stress off my shoulders. I owe you a pint or three if we ever meet!!
Many thanks, Chris and Cora