A class starting problems

[mixmyth]

Something wierd is happening with my A class. I have trouble starting periodically, it lasts a couple of days then clears and starts normally for about 4 weeks and then the problem occurs again, a couple of days not starting again then clear for a month again. Has anyone got any ideas? My Mercedes outlet said it was the starter motor delay relay and I have changed it.

Many thanks.

 

[kwakdonut]

What is the car exactly? Diesel/petrol? Year etc

 

[mixmyth]

Sorry. I knew I'd forget some details.

A140, petrol, manual, 2001 (Y).

Thanks.

 

[Koolvin]

either it's your ignition switch or it's your starter motor.

The starter motor is cheap but the job is labour intensive and certainly not a DIY.


http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/65782-class-w168-starting-problems.html

 

[mixmyth]

The ignition seems fine as all the lights come up on the dash and I would expect to hear at least a 'click' from the starter/solenoid if it were the starter. Is there anything else, like other relays, (fuel pump relay?) that it could be, before I find a mechanic to drop the engine. Then its also a starter ring check and belts replacement, rather expensive.
Many thanks for your continued help.

 

[Howard]

Have you had it on a STAR yet ? (not a generic code reader )

 

[mixmyth]

Not yet. I guess thats the next step. I didn't think that showed up starter problems but I will try anything at this stage. I'll have to try and find someone who has one or I might buy one for any future problems. I think it plugs into a slot in the drivers door side of the dash.

 

[ched999uk]

I might buy one for any future problems. I think it plugs into a slot in the drivers door side of the dash.

STAR is VERY expensive, I believe way into the thousands!!!!! The cheap 'code readers' aren't in the same league as STAR. STAR can interrogate all the systems on MB and report back which components are giving weird readings.
You need to find a MB specialist with STAR. They should be able to tell what's wrong and not juts guess which relay etc. to change. STAR also needs a person with MB experience as if you have multiple issues it might point to something else causing the issues.
So if you can find a MB expert with STAR.

 

[mixmyth]

Yes, I meant the cheaper code reader. I think I'll contact MB for a quote for a diagnostic. Iv'e had many cars that have had starter problems but this one just doesn't stack up. I just can't see it as a normal starter motor problem. It's a real puzzle.

 

[ched999uk]

I am sure someone can recommend an independent expert with STAR local to you. Maybe a search for Leicestershire?

 

[kwakdonut]

STAR can be bought for a few hundred pounds inc the antiquated laptops they run on lol.

Problem is that you really need a subscription to keep it up-to-date etc.

Am sure you will find a friendly Indie who will help out and will also be significantly cheaper than going to a local MB stealership!

 

[Howard]

You also need to know how to use it ....

Very easy to kill your car playing with STAR if you aren't trained. Also , it won't always say 'THIS IS THE BIT THAT IS WRONG' , sometimes it takes an experienced tech to understand what it is telling him.

Look at my gearbox woes on my old 320 cabrio and how Olly solved it for an example.

 

[BlackC55]

You also need to know how to use it ....

Very easy to kill your car playing with STAR if you aren't trained. Also , it won't always say 'THIS IS THE BIT THAT IS WRONG' , sometimes it takes an experienced tech to understand what it is telling him.

Look at my gearbox woes on my old 320 cabrio and how Olly solved it for an example.

A Star in the wrong hands is useless.

 

[mixmyth]

Just going back to basics. What about a loose earth or lead to the starter, as it is so unpredictable? So, its not the starter/clutch delay relay or the starter/solenoid, (once they have gone they're gone for good). Is there an ECU?

 

[mixmyth]

After ferreting around for information and advice, some of it from my non-MB service garage, (who sent me to a garage with a STAR) I've been informed that the starter problem is in the ignition switch immobiliser system, (without them using the STAR to find it out, yet, and the resulting cost). Apparently it's a common fault and he fixes them regularly, although he couldn't give me a quote until he had contacted MB for the cost of the replacement part????.

My question is: Is the 'replacement part' new batteries for my key fob, (£3.50)? Or, should I have a replacement Transponder/Immobiliser in the ignition?

BTW: A bi-study of engineers listening to my engine, (because I daren't switch it of on occasions), I have found that a noisy timing chain on an A140 is more likey to be a faulty timing chain tensioner rather that a worn chain. The cost to repair each is, apparently, completely different. And: My Poly V Belt is in shreds and sounds louder that a traction engine. Any thoughts people?

 

[Tony Russell]

V Belt ?

Loads of problems there.
I have twice had to buy that whole assembly in order to replace the bracket at the bottom.

Seems to be in the winter, when it's left idling in the mornings, it goes through v belts.
Or if I get stuck in traffic.

Having now replaced all the pulleys, bar the crankshaft pulley, it got quieter, now a little noisy again.
So I'm going to have to have a go at the cracnkshaft pulley - which is a bytch I believe.

Albert Rowe (Lofty) has covered this job on his website.

 

[mixmyth]

Thanks for your reply Tony. To be honest, the v-belt noise has been there since I bought the A class but it was pointed out by the service engineer at a service, who said it was about done in, (that was about 5K mls ago). I can't see if it's a 'drop the engine' belt replacement, so I will check out Lofty's page. Any further info would be welcome though.

 

[mixmyth]

The problem has returned today, so I replaced the batteries in the Key fob again and the car is starting ok. I just hope that posting this info doesn't jinx it.

 

[mixmyth]

I object to paying some £7-86 for batteries, (two sets) that might have cost me one arm and one leg, to find out that it was the batteries in the keyfob. Or pay out £1500, (dropped engine), for an A140 that is only worth the same.
I dont expect MB to extract such nieveity from an innocent, loyal customer as its the first suggestion that they should have made, but they didn't.

BTW: Don't trust new bought Duracell coin batteries.

 

[Howard]

There's a member on here selling genuine MB batteries for about £2.

Did the batteries sort it in the end ?