2009 sprinter intermittent starter problem

[jagmad]

My 2009 sprinter motorhome has an unusual problem, Last week I drove 3 hours stopped for a cup of tea....then she wouldnt start......no click from solenoid, fully charged battery,
Turn the key nothing, all dash lights on, just would not turn over...also not sure if related but brake lights did not work whe she would not start.
After 2 hours and a bit of fiddling, she suddenly started, drive on for an hour stopped and she wouldnt start again. Next day I checked fuse box and relays under seat and she started again. Okay for 5 days then failed to start again. AA again checked all electrics eventually he jump started it direct on the starter motor. Drove home okay next day she would not start again, same problem. Tried again today and she started and will still start now. Brake lights work okay when she starts but still wont work when starter wont turn over. Anyone got any idea where to check now or next time she will not start!!

 

[smiddyboy1]

Just call out the service 24 as its still covered being a 2009, no point second guessing when its already covered under warranty.

 

[jagmad]

Unfortunately even though I purchased new in the UK, it is a motorhome built in Italy and warranty on imported Sprinters is only 2 years. (sorry for error van is 2008 model) so warranty expired in February 2010.
As an update she is still starting now so it is difficult to check anything. Does anyone know if this would be logged as a fault if I have a diagnostics check ?

 

[Lee1965]

Rimor Motorhome not starting

Hi
I have had the same problem on our 2007 Sprinter Rimor Sailor, same starting problems, leaves warning lights on, and then 15mins later or 3 hours later starts no problem and no warning lights!! We have had this problem for over 18 months, the last fix, and we have yet to try it out, is to change the starter relay, I have fitted a new one but as yet dont know if its worked as we only use the motorhome monthly and it hasnt been out for a drive yet. Ours has been in the Merc workshop about 3 times for this problem and they dont know whats causing it. If it works I will let you know.
Regards Lee

 

[jagmad]

Just as a follow up I have had no problem starting since the last episode around 20 starts ago. I now have an additional problem, which happened after the jump start by the AA, as my aircon/heating/fan has lost all power. I have checked all fuses. Does anyone know if there is a relay I should check or is there something needs resetting using Star Diagnostics?

 

[Delsmit]

I too have a Rimor Sailer auto 315 first reg 2008 called out MB 24 at a cost of over £200 and they found nothing but after 4 hrs it cured it self. It packed up again 2 hrs later and 2 days after that I had the alarm removed but it again 2 days later.
What is the ignition switch relay that the American bloke talks about?

 

[jagmad]

Starter problems

My problem disappeared for a long time but reared its head again yesterday. After a number of tries which included locking and unlocking van it started okay. Today starts no problem so I have not been able to discover what the problem is. Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[Delsmit]

Rimor wiring

My 2009 sprinter motorhome has an unusual problem, Last week I drove 3 hours stopped for a cup of tea....then she wouldnt start......no click from solenoid, fully charged battery,
Turn the key nothing, all dash lights on, just would not turn over...also not sure if related but brake lights did not work whe she would not start.
After 2 hours and a bit of fiddling, she suddenly started, drive on for an hour stopped and she wouldnt start again. Next day I checked fuse box and relays under seat and she started again. Okay for 5 days then failed to start again. AA again checked all electrics eventually he jump started it direct on the starter motor. Drove home okay next day she would not start again, same problem. Tried again today and she started and will still start now. Brake lights work okay when she starts but still wont work when starter wont turn over. Anyone got any idea where to check now or next time she will not start!!

I have a Rimor Sprinter 315 auto and I have lost the starter 4 times now, I had the alarm removed a suggestion made by MB24 mechanic but no different the last time it happened I isolated the camper battery and it started straight away! I think its the Rimor wiring thats at fault upsetting the Merc main control computer, I may disconnect the split charging to the leisure battery and see if the fault persists, does anyone have any better ideas?

 

[biturbo]

I had a problem similar to this and have read about a very common fault on sprinters.
its dirt in the barrel. To fix it WD-40 in the barrell and put the key in and out and clean it, it stort of stops the key from fully turning into the position to fire the engine. This sounds like what is happening. Ive had a few people with this problem who have sprinters who do courier work for me and everyone now knows about it and cleans the barrells out.

 

[EZS]

Hi,

It could be a few things -

EIS - Ignition switch. Part of the cars security system and its not recognising all of the keys data.

Key - There is damage/dust on the key inside. Circuit board and connections very sensitive to dust - What the key case like?

ESL - Steering lock. It also carries the keys data, and won't allow a start authorisation, therefore is letting you turn the key but not start the car.

ECU - The ECU is not transmitting the correct signal, or output to the start relay.

A few things to think about. Id look at the key first as it the part that gets the most abuse ( Pockets, Dropping, water, dust etc)


BiTurbo - Its a 2008 and has the electronic smart key with EIS ignition ( DO NOT SPRAY WD40 INTO THE EIS!!)

 

[carat 3.6]

Dodgy main engine earth lead or lack of one? It is an italian import after all

 

[EZS]

I think Id check when it does it the feed to the solenoid which is controled by the starter relay.. If you have no power there then it has to be futher up the line!

Just an after thought!

 

[Delsmit]

I have found when this fault appears on my Rimor Sailer if I switch off the leisure battery at the isolater it will start again indicating the fault is with the Rimor wiring, i have been in touch with Southdowns to see if all of these models are in trouble and they say they haven't heard from any other owners with a problem! so why don't we all make sure they know of the problem?

 

[Delsmit]

Can you contact Andrew Bottle at Southdowns he is their electrician and says has far as he knows no one else but me has had any problems with starting?

 

[Delsmit]

Can you get in touch with Andrew Bottle at Southdowns and tell him the faults? He says he as not heard from anybody else regarding this starting fault except me
When it happens again try switching off the leisure battery it seems to fix it on mine

 

[NickEdwards]

Mmmm, looks like a theme here. I have a 2007 SUperbrig 700 which is based on a 315 Sprinter Auto. Anyway, only got it the other day and already it is playing up. Let us down when we stopped last friday at Motorway services. Went to start and no symbol on dash for Park and no light on P by gear lever. So call out rescue who come out 2 hours later. By which time both me and a friend (both part time mechanics) have stripped down the dash and removed the cobra alarm from the equation (we thought it was the immobiliser goning faulty). This doesn't help, and the chap from the rescue company turns up.

He starts looking at what power is going through the fuses to kick the starter into life. Basically the power you need to make the engine start and the brake lights work is through fuse 23. So we check it- nothing...

Then we decide to take a direct feed from the battery to fuse 23 (we put an inline 10 amp fuse to protect the wiring) and use this as the feed it should have in position 2 on the key. Bingo, now the van starts and off we go for another 50 miles. you can disconnect the in line fuse as soon as it starts and all will be fine.

So the next day we expect the same rigmerole only to find it goes straight off the key. unbelieveable we think.... But that was wishfull thinking as this is the last time it started off the key.

Already this is a total pain in the *ss as it has let us down on the first trip out. Sadly as I bought privately I guess I wont have any rights, but just getting my solicitor to see, as the sellers parting comment was 'you wont have any trouble with her.'

Now in contact with Andrew Bottle, but I am determined to get to the bottom of this.

One last thing, this seems to be a little odd, but maybe there is something in it. When I put the lights on, the van comes up with the bulb fault indicator, but there is nothing wrong, I have checked them all. Will delve a little deeper.

Suffice to say I now feel that this may be why the previous owner was selling it.

Any help welcomed!

 

[Delsmit]

next time it happens switch off the leisure battery isolator then try, it worked on mine

 

[NickEdwards]

Sorted! READ ME!!

Hi there. I ended up speaking to Enza Mercedes. They turned out to have had one with just the same problem, an Ice cream van.

Turns out to be relays in the dashboard (nearside footwell) numbers 8 and 9 that they replaced. THey showed me them, the contacts had green corrosion on them and were not contacting properly. This happens when they are not used regularly, like an Ice cream van or Motorhome.

Anyway, relays cost £13 each, so save the £250 labour and replace em yourself!

Good luck

 

[zebra7493]

If ignition turns on but no glowplug light and no cranking then replacing the similar 3 relays (6,7,8 on my diagram) cures it. Also seems to cure the problem of some keys working and some not working.
I assume its dirty contacts and switching time of the relays. Generic relays (should have internal suppression resistor) about 6 pounds each.

 

[jgray]

Well, though I only tried this in desperation after months of problems and being completely unable to start the vehicle today (I must have tried 50 times), it worked first time! WD40 sprayed into the key barrel of the EIS and he van started immediately. Thank you.